Sydney men ignite brotherhood in Camino of St Joseph
As many of the 2.5 million men who live in Sydney settled in for a night of footy, beers and the couch, more than 1200 Catholic men chose something totally different – formation, faith and sacrifice.
In a powerful testament to faith and brotherhood, they came from across the city for a transformative pilgrimage honouring St Joseph, the humble protector and silent servant of Christ.
Beginning at St Joseph parish in Como, the overnight camino unfolded along the streets and through the communities of the Sutherland Shire, stretching nearly 20km and ending as the sun rose along the Cronulla esplanade, for a final Mass at St Aloysius.
This year’s walk hosted by the Sydney Centre for Evangelisation (SCE) saw a dramatic increase in numbers from last year’s 750 men to this year’s 1,200 – a sign of the growing strength and deepening hunger among Sydney men to embrace their calling in Christ.
The event, a core offering for men from Maximus Men’s Ministry within the SCE’s Life, Marriage and Family team, weaved together prayer, sacrifice, and brotherhood in an awe-inspiring night that would reaffirm true masculinity as modelled by St Joseph.
For many, the camino was a first encounter with the spirit and example of the saint. “He’s the ultimate family man. He’s such an icon for all men and masculinity and the way he holds himself in terms of his holiness. I think he’s a great example for all,” said Alfonso Henry, 32, a first-time pilgrim from St Michael’s parish in Eastgardens.
The pilgrimage began with a reverent Mass celebrated by Bishop Daniel Meagher at St Joseph’s in Como, where he reminded all present that St Joseph, although rarely quoted in Scripture, played an indispensable role raising Jesus as an earthly father committed to God’s will. His quiet “yes” echoed through the ages, inspiring men to embrace authentic masculinity rooted in service and obedience, Bishop Meagher said.
Stan Giaouris, who brought his three sons, Jordan, Gabriel and Dean and brother Chris, reflected on this example, “I try and be a shining light in a very challenging world to my sons, and I’m being that role model tonight, to show them true Catholic manhood,” he said.
Many of Sydney’s clergy walked alongside the pilgrims and offered faithful support. Fr Adrian Simmon, University Chaplaincy at the University of NSW, was in awe of the numbers in attendance: “What does this say about Men’s Ministry? It means that it’s going up and up. There are a lot of guys here who will be changed, who will be revolutionised and strengthened by this.”
For many, the camino was a chance to pray for loved ones and embrace the silent servitude of St Joseph. Bearing the flag of the Knights of Precious Blood, Anton Pavlovic shared, “St Joseph and my mission is to walk and pray for the unborn children.”
His friend Eddie added, “The foremost thing in my mind was for the healing of my father-in-law, as he had a stroke last year, and just for people generally to be healed.”
The message of sacrifice shared by Fr Dan McCaughan at St Patick’s, Sutherland, resounded with them. “There’s a big sacrifice that every man tonight, walking, is giving up the night, giving up the comfort of sleep, footy, or whatever,” said Eddie.
The walk through the night was more than a physical journey; it was an entry into a spiritual pilgrimage of the soul. Along each of the six church stops, the men experienced the silent intercession of St Joseph, through talks from the parish priest discovering anew his unspoken but mighty influence.
The spirit of fraternity was palpable. “It’s just so important, you know, a fraternity of men working together, you know, iron sharpens iron, and then I feel like I’ve been sharpened from the experience,” said Elliot Bowen, from the Parish Renewal Team within the Sydney Centre for Evangelisation.
The scene just after 6am as the men arrived on Cronulla Beach was majestic. Fr James McCarthy greeted the men as they walked along the esplanade and welcoming them to Mass at his parish of St Aloysius.
“It really warms the heart to know that Christ is very much still in the hearts of the men here,” he said.
“Men want to come together, not in violence, not to cause destruction, not to cause protest, but to give honour to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and to hear about the spirituality of St Joseph.”
Organiser Michael Jaksic, officer from the Life Marriage Family team, was humbled by the experience: “I’m very grateful that the men showed up, not just from Sydney but from other states and I hope that they had a fruitful time. I was just overwhelmed by the men in front of me. I walked backwards most of it and I tried to see the end of the men, and I couldn’t see the end. It was a sight I won’t forget.”
For Dylan Mitri, 29, from St Catherine’s parish, Gymea, the experience was a revelation: “I feel like I have just so much grace and so much joy in my heart over what I just experienced. The past 10 hours just went by like nothing, honestly, I see a lot of people really devoted to not just living out their faith, but willing to show it to society.”
This pilgrimage marked more than just physical endurance; it was a declaration of faith.
“What we witnessed through the St Joseph’s Camino was nothing short of grace in motion – around 1,200 men journeying together in faith, united in prayer, and drawn by the quiet strength of faith to offer themselves more fully to the Lord,” said Daniel Ang, Director of the Sydney Centre for Evangelisation.
“When this pilgrimage was first initiated by the centre years ago with just a small band of brothers, one of our deepest hopes was to see a church alive with men who know Jesus, follow him with conviction, and lead their families and communities in love,” he said.
“That hope has taken flesh tonight and through their embrace of this experience, and with the generous support of priests and parishes across the Sutherland region, the St Joseph’s Camino has become a living sign of what is possible when men respond courageously to the call to live boldly for Christ.”