Domus Australia - The Next Stage

Roman Holiday with a Difference

Katrina Lee, Director, Catholic Communications
23 Apr 2010

The Archbishop of Sydney, Cardinal George Pell welcomed guests to a site inspection of Domus Australia in Rome on Friday, 23 April and unveiled the logo for this unique pilgrimage centre for Australians.

The logo has been meticulously designed to celebrate the close relationship between the Church in Australia and the Church in Rome as well as capturing the spiritual nature of pilgrimage.

For Australians, the stars of the Southern Cross on the logo are instantly recognisable and represent the Church in Australia, the Southern Hemisphere and the Great South Land of the Holy Spirit. Stars, as most pilgrims know, are the universal path finder on their journeys. A star also guided the Magi after the birth of Christ and the "Star of the Sea," also known as Stella Maris, is named after the Holy Mother, Mary who has long been regarded as the guard and protector of pilgrims who travel the seas.

The Dome of St Peters on the logo is also instantly recognisable and is the universal symbol of Catholicism and the Mother Church of Rome.

The red type used accentuates the close bonds between the Church in Australia and the Church in Rome as red not only represents the colours of the Australian Outback as well as Australia's spectacular sunsets, but is a symbolic colour in the Catholic Church.

As far as the name is concerned, Domus is Latin for "house" or "home" with Domus Australia literally meaning a home away from home for Australia's pilgrims to the Eternal City. Built in the 19th Century, the large stone structure on the Via Cernaia is currently undergoing extensive restoration and renovation. During this work archaeological treasures have been uncovered including a treasure remains dating back to the First Century AD featuring a section of a Roman house, a length of pavement and foundations for a large building, which will be protected and put on display for visiting pilgrims.

An initiative of the Australian Catholic Church, led by the Sydney Archdiocese under the guidance of Cardinal Pell, Domus Australia will provide a complete pilgrim experience. Offering a daily Mass in English at the Domus Australia chapel, the centre will also provide information on the history of the Church in Rome, places to visit and up to date information on the Vatican and the Holy Father's schedule. In addition the centre will provide modern comfortable accommodation for up to 80 pilgrims while its large chapel will feature restored artworks as well as paintings tracing the history of the Church in Australia, painted on commission by well known Sydney artist, Paul Newton.

"Domus Australia will continue the long established Church tradition of providing accommodation for pilgrims to holy places, and it is ultimately intended to be much more than a place to rest as a religious and cultural centre for pilgrims to Rome," the Cardinal said.