Association of Ministerial PJP's

The Aussie Camino 2025
2025-03-31 - 2025-11-30 | Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre, Melbourne, 362 Albert Street, East Melbourne, VIC, 3002, Australia
Take the 10-day pilgrimage across the Australian Camino, which perfectly balances scenery, soul-searching, and spiritual growth. This journey offers a unique opportunity to connect with nature and find inner peace while exploring the beautiful South Australian landscape.
Today’s, pilgrim travellers, taking the direct road to Penola, along the modern highway, would find it a great challenge unless going all the way by car. However, a calmer and more relaxed route has been chosen for those who wish to make a more authentic pilgrimage on foot. For the first few days, the Camino follows the Great South West Walk (GSWW), which is followed by numerous farm tracks, goat trails, minor roads, and even abandoned railway lines.
The Great South West Walk, a 250-kilometre track established in 1981, is located in Victoria, Australia. It passes through several national parks, including Lower Glenelg, Cobboboonee, Discovery Bay Coastal, Mount Richmond, and Cape Nelson State Park.
Walking a camino is a centuries-old tradition. It offers a spiritual journey inspired by lives of fulfilment and service. The natural beauty and camaraderie of fellow travellers enhance the experience.
Starting in Portland, where Mary MacKillop gained teaching experience, the walk ends in Penola, her foundational site. Pilgrims can visit significant sites like the stable park and schoolhouse, and St Joseph’s church for contemplation and prayer. Mary’s life exemplifies faith, forgiveness, and kindness, strengthening and encouraging many.
She founded the Sisters of St Joseph in Penola with Father Julian Jenison Woods. Reflecting on their beginnings, she wrote in 1891, “Little did either of us then dream of what was to spring from so small a beginning.
Running approximately 12 times per year.

Beacon of Light - Pilgrimage in the Footsteps of Carlo Acutis
2025-10-09 - 2025-10-22 | Italy
This unique 12-day experience will take pilgrims on a delightful journey through Italy visiting a number of places associated with the life of Blessed Carlo.
Along the way, we will visit small villages, quaint towns and renowned cities each with their own history,
story and character. As we travel together, there will be opportunities to pause, reflect, pray (even sing!)
as we take in all the splendour and wonder Italy has to offer.
This is no ordinary “tour”, it’s a journey into the beauty of Italy and the enchanting story of Blessed Carlo
Acutis, who Pope Francis proclaimed, “A cyber apostle and a digital disciple.”
Rome – Pescara – Assisi – Florence – Bologna – Milan
We look forward to making this pilgrimage with you!

Australian Ignatian Trail
2025-04-29 - 2025-05-07 | Sevenhill Retreat Centre, College Rd, Sevenhill, South Australia, Australia
Pilgrimages along the Australian Ignatian Trail in the footsteps of the first Jesuits in Australia

This ‘camino’ experience provides an opportunity for encountering Ignatian Spiritualty, discerning, and listening to God’s presence in Nature. Step aside from everyday life, walk, reflect, experience nature day after day, time in silence, conversation and listening to God’s presence.
As a small group of pilgrims, you will walk part of the route in South Australia taken by the first Jesuits who arrived in 1848. This Australian Ignatian Trail pilgrimages journey through townships such as Kapunda, Tarlee, Riverton, and Auburn, and finish at Sevenhill where the Jesuits established the first vineyard of Clare Valley in 1851.
A moderate level of walking fitness and overall good health is essential. Each day the walking includes undulating terrain on quiet, dirt roads and established trails of between 15km and 22km each day for four days for the short pilgrimage and seven days for the long pilgrimage.
The group will be supported by two Australian Ignatian Trail leaders from JISA’s Being with God in Nature ministry: Iain Radvan SJ, Geraldine Naismith, Jan Fitzpatrick, Michael Bertie, and Michael Anderson.

WHEN:
4 walking days / 6 nights from Tuesday late afternoon 22 April to Monday morning 28 April
APPLICATIONS CLOSE: 24 January 2025
7 walking days / 9 nights from Tuesday late afternoon 29 April to Wednesday morning 7 May
APPLICATIONS CLOSE: 31 January 2025
4 walking days / 6 nights from Sunday late afternoon 14 September to Saturday morning 20 September
APPLICATIONS CLOSE: 13 June 2025
4 walking days / 6 nights from Tuesday late afternoon 14 October to Monday morning 20 October
APPLICATIONS CLOSE: 18 July 2025

Limestone Coast Aussie Camino
2025-04-06 | Penola, Australia
Five day taste of the Aussie Camino

Min. 4 Max. 8 Walkers plus leader
5 nights/4 days walking
Fitness – Moderate, this country is relatively flat however long days of road walking can be tough on feet.
Taste of the Aussie Camino – Mary Mackillop Pilgrimage
Bunganditj/Boandik Country
Explore the diverse landscape and history of South Australia’s Limestone Coast; from the seaside town of Port MacDonnell, to picturesque Penola via the quaint town of Kalangadoo on this taste of the Aussie Camino.
Whilst traversing this rich limestone landscape you’ll see volcanos, sinkholes, wetlands, thriving farmland, pine and native forests. You will walk on back country roads, alongside paddocks and sections of bitumen as we head to Penola over four days.
Become a modern day pilgrim as we walk and discover the extraordinary work of May MacKillop, Australia’s only saint, and Father Tenison Woods. Mary travelled extensively across Australia and beyond, our walk begins at Port MacDonnell where Mary boarded a boat in 1867 to continue on her journey to sainthood.
On the final day you will visit the Mary MacKillop Interpretative Centre to receive your Compostela and glean more of an insight into Mary and her mentor Father Tenison Woods.
Itinerary 2025
Port MacDonnell to Penola, South Australia
Duration 5 nights and 4 full days, accommodation will be a mix of own room and a couple of nights where you may have to share, twin share available, in historic hotels/cottages, with shared bathroom facilities.
Carry day pack only.
Inclusions
· Locally owned and operated
· Aussie Camino pilgrim’s passport, shell, guide book and Compostela
· 5 nights single and twin share accommodation
· Car parking in Penola
· Private transfer Penola to Port MacDonnell
· 4 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches
· 1 Dinner
· Luggage transfer to hotels
· Entry to Mary MacKillop Interpretative Centre
