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Kairos Catholic Journal, Thursday 31 October 2013
Natasha Marsh is a Christus Rex veteran. Her recent completion of the annual pilgrimage from Ballarat to Bendigo brings her tally to 17. Here she reflects on what it is about the experience that draws her back each year.
‘AS the deer longs for the running streams, so my soul longs for you O Lord.' This line, quite apart from belonging to one of the best-loved Psalms and serving as inspiration for one of the greatest pieces of music ever written (Sicut Cervus, Palestrina) has also become a bit of a theme, and an explanation, for the motives of pilgrims who attend the Christus Rex (CRex) pilgrimage.
Read Bishop Peter Elliott's Jesus Christ is Our King homily
Originally conceived as Australia’s answer to the French pilgrimage between the cathedrals of Notre Dame and Chartres, the CRex is a three day hike between the two magnificent cathedrals of the Victorian gold mining towns of Ballarat (St Patrick’s Cathedral) and Bendigo (Sacred Heart Cathedral) in honour of the feast of Christ the King.
Over its 23 years the CRex has developed many traditions. Some of these have not survived, such as the infamous ‘Asparagus Friday’ dinner which was mercifully replaced with other options. However, other traditions of a more spiritually uplifting nature have remained: all-night Adoration, sung Compline in the evening and (my personal favourite) singing Dies Irae in memory of the faithful departed in a quiet country cemetery en route to Bendigo.
Although every CRex brings its own little dramas (such as the ‘cold shower’ crisis of ‘08), in essentials it remains the same. Each day pilgrims attend a beautiful High Mass, accompanied by stunning polyphony and chant from the volunteer pilgrimage choir. The priests that travel on the road offer 24 hour confessions, spiritual direction and wisdom. And, of course, one cannot overestimate those countless moments of support and inspiration that come from one’s fellow pilgrims. It is the man from Perth walking bare foot, ten fresh-faced seminarians singing to Christ their King, the octogenarian with her cane, a mother pushing a double pram or a volunteer handing out oranges that make the CRex a spiritual injection, one that carries you through the rest of the year.
On one particularly hot pilgrimage, when three altar servers were subtly removed from the altar after fainting during the homily, my brother said to me, “Every year I ask myself the same question. Why am I doing this to myself?” But by the third day it is no longer a question. “Of course I’m here! There’s nowhere I’d rather be.” And I know what he means. By putting aside the everyday creature comforts - our precious mobile phones, steaming hot showers and asparagus-free meals - we have an opportunity to encounter Him, who is everything our souls really long for.
Hope to see you on the road at C-Rex 2014!
Photos: (Above) Pilgrims en route to Sacred Heart Cathedral, Bendigo, (Below) Pilgrims gather on the steps of Sacred Heart Cathedral, Bendigo, by Patrick Giam.
Melbourne News
Walking for Our King
Kairos Catholic Journal, Thursday 31 October 2013Natasha Marsh is a Christus Rex veteran. Her recent completion of the annual pilgrimage from Ballarat to Bendigo brings her tally to 17. Here she reflects on what it is about the experience that draws her back each year.
‘AS the deer longs for the running streams, so my soul longs for you O Lord.' This line, quite apart from belonging to one of the best-loved Psalms and serving as inspiration for one of the greatest pieces of music ever written (Sicut Cervus, Palestrina) has also become a bit of a theme, and an explanation, for the motives of pilgrims who attend the Christus Rex (CRex) pilgrimage.
Read Bishop Peter Elliott's Jesus Christ is Our King homily
Originally conceived as Australia’s answer to the French pilgrimage between the cathedrals of Notre Dame and Chartres, the CRex is a three day hike between the two magnificent cathedrals of the Victorian gold mining towns of Ballarat (St Patrick’s Cathedral) and Bendigo (Sacred Heart Cathedral) in honour of the feast of Christ the King.
Over its 23 years the CRex has developed many traditions. Some of these have not survived, such as the infamous ‘Asparagus Friday’ dinner which was mercifully replaced with other options. However, other traditions of a more spiritually uplifting nature have remained: all-night Adoration, sung Compline in the evening and (my personal favourite) singing Dies Irae in memory of the faithful departed in a quiet country cemetery en route to Bendigo.
Although every CRex brings its own little dramas (such as the ‘cold shower’ crisis of ‘08), in essentials it remains the same. Each day pilgrims attend a beautiful High Mass, accompanied by stunning polyphony and chant from the volunteer pilgrimage choir. The priests that travel on the road offer 24 hour confessions, spiritual direction and wisdom. And, of course, one cannot overestimate those countless moments of support and inspiration that come from one’s fellow pilgrims. It is the man from Perth walking bare foot, ten fresh-faced seminarians singing to Christ their King, the octogenarian with her cane, a mother pushing a double pram or a volunteer handing out oranges that make the CRex a spiritual injection, one that carries you through the rest of the year.On one particularly hot pilgrimage, when three altar servers were subtly removed from the altar after fainting during the homily, my brother said to me, “Every year I ask myself the same question. Why am I doing this to myself?” But by the third day it is no longer a question. “Of course I’m here! There’s nowhere I’d rather be.” And I know what he means. By putting aside the everyday creature comforts - our precious mobile phones, steaming hot showers and asparagus-free meals - we have an opportunity to encounter Him, who is everything our souls really long for.
Hope to see you on the road at C-Rex 2014!
Photos: (Above) Pilgrims en route to Sacred Heart Cathedral, Bendigo, (Below) Pilgrims gather on the steps of Sacred Heart Cathedral, Bendigo, by Patrick Giam.
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