Parent Camino

Today was a very special day as we embarked on our first parent Camino Salvado pilgrimage. We started our pilgrimage at the site of the  Subiaco Benedictine monastery.  On this site, which is now MercyCare, the Benedictines established a farm.  Olive trees were planted on the site in the 1850s and heritage listed olive trees remain on the site today.  Our next stop was St Joseph’s Church on Salvado Rd .  Subiaco has a strong connection with Benedictine history and this is acknowledged in the naming of the suburb - Subiaco was the place in Italy where St Benedict lived - and Salvado Rd was named after Dom Rosendo Salvado.  At St Joseph’s Church we prayed the Pilgrim’s Prayer and Fr Stephen gave us a blessing for our journey.   From Subiaco we walked to St Mary’s Cathedral, seeing the foundation stone laid by Bishop Salvado and the bell which was brought from Santiago de Compostela.  The first stage of the Cathedral was built by Benedictine monks who walked each day from Subiaco.  Our final stop was Claisebrook Cove.  Here we prayed the Pilgrim’s Prayer of Gratitude for the end of our journey.  We finished our day with lunch at one of the local cafes.  Here each of the pilgrims had their Pilgrim’s passport stamped to record the first stage of their journey.  Thanks to Mrs Susan Sorenson, President of Friends of Holy Cross, for organising the Parent Camino. Thanks also to Mr Harry Muller, Ministry Coordinator, for driving the bus. This event was a wonderful opportunity for parents to experience the first stage of the Camino Salvado and to gain an understanding of Pilgrimage and why it is an important faith practice for our College.  Parents and staff also enjoyed the opportunity to spend some time together on a beautiful spring day. We look forward to another HCC Parent Camino in 2016.