100 pilgrims walk the 16km Kirup Camino to celebrate 100 Years of World Mission Sunday

One hundred pilgrims completed the 16km Kirup Camino on October 1 to mark the start of World Mission Month in Western Australia and the centenary of World Mission Sunday. The pilgrimage, held in the Diocese of Bunbury, followed a trail between Balingup and Kirup through forest and farmland.

The walk began at St Therese Church in Balingup with staggered blessings at 8.30am and 9am to accommodate the small village church. Participants traveled from Perth, Esperance, and various locations across the South West. The group included an 8-year-old from Perth and 82-year-old Alf Torrisi, who has walked the route each year.

Bishop George Kolodziej SDS celebrated a Mass for the pilgrims at 3pm at Holy Family Church in Kirup to conclude the event. This pilgrimage coincided with the feast day of St Therese of Lisieux, the patron saint for mission. World Mission Sunday was established by Pope Pius XI.