This heartfelt tribute honours Pope Francis as a humble and prophetic leader who, like his namesake Saint Francis of Assisi, embraced the poor, challenged Church traditions, and embodied compassion in both word and deed. From his simple lifestyle and care for the marginalised—including refugees, LGBTQI+ individuals, and victims of abuse—to his global advocacy for environmental justice through Laudato Si’, Pope Francis called the world to mercy, simplicity, and peace. He opened conversations on women’s leadership, reimagined evangelisation through love rather than doctrine, and consistently acted as a servant of reconciliation. His legacy is one of radical inclusion, deep humanity, and unwavering hope rooted in God’s love—a legacy we are now called to carry forward.

Join us for a Marist Pilgrimage on Sunday, May 4, as we journey through Marist sacred spaces and stories that have shaped the Marist mission in Australia. Starting at St Patrick’s Crypt in Sydney with a guided tour by Fr McMurrich, we’ll travel by bus to Hunters Hill to explore key sites of the Marist Fathers and Brothers, and the Marist Missionary Sisters at Woodbury house , then continue to Woolwich to hear the inspiring story of the Marist Sisters. It’s a day of reflection, connection, and deepening your understanding of Marist spirituality and heritage—all are welcome!

In today’s Gospel, Luke’s account of the Passion (Luke 22:14–23:56), we are drawn into the climactic heart of the Christian story—Jesus' suffering and death. As Fr. Michael Whelan reflects, echoing Cardinal Kasper, the Gospels are not merely moral lessons but Passion narratives with extended introductions, culminating in the cross, which is not incidental but essential to the Incarnation. The mission of Jesus is not to hand us a moral code but to enter the very depths of human experience—the “abyss and night of death”—where our alienation and woundedness are most profound. In the Eucharist, we remember and participate in this transformative descent, proclaiming the liberating power of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Here, we are invited to say “Yes” to our full humanity, to embrace the mystery of salvation not as escape, but as redemption within the flesh of our lives. True freedom, as Whelan underscores, emerges when we dare to follow Jesus into the desert of our own vulnerability and allow ourselves to be found by the One who heals us.

'Ten Years of Hope' documents the transformative journey of Pope Francis, the first pope from Latin America and the first to take the name Francis, signaling his mission to emulate Saint Francis of Assisi—advocating for the poor, the environment, and the marginalized. His election in 2013 came after a turbulent period in the Catholic Church, marked by scandals and division. From his first words, “Buona sera,” spoken with humility, Pope Francis captured hearts with his simplicity and unexpected acts of compassion, such as washing the feet of juvenile detainees, including Muslims and women. These gestures began to define him as the “Pope of surprises” and a leader committed to restoring credibility to the Church.

The Two Popes is a thought-provoking drama that imagines the private conversations between Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio (the future Pope Francis) and Pope Benedict XVI in the lead-up to Benedict’s unprecedented resignation from the papacy in 2013. The film opens with Bergoglio seeking permission to retire from his role as Archbishop of Buenos Aires. He travels to Rome with the intention of submitting his resignation letter, only to find himself drawn into a series of intimate and challenging discussions with Benedict, who is secretly contemplating his own resignation due to personal doubts and the burden of recent Church scandals.

The song “On the Way to Santiago” beautifully captures the spiritual and emotional depth of pilgrimage, portraying a solitary traveler walking through uncertainty, guided not by maps but by instinct, shadow, and the rhythm of their own steps. It reflects the universal human journey of searching, surrendering, and healing—where each ache of the body and silence of the road becomes a teacher. The refrain of walking “without knowing” speaks to the courage of faith, while moments of singing and crying mirror the soul’s honesty in transformation. Through breaking patterns and listening deeply, the journey becomes not just one of distance, but of returning—carrying the heart home, step by step, toward something deeper, fuller, and more true.

The April 2025 edition of the Marist Way Australia Newsletter reflects on the Easter Triduum amid a world of uncertainty, encouraging readers to find hope through the example of Mary. It invites participation in the Marist Way Committee, which unites branches of the Marist family to nurture the charism through prayer, reflection, resources, and retreats. The newsletter highlights recent online prayer gatherings and announces the upcoming Marist Pilgrimage on May 4 across sacred Sydney sites. It also shares news of a proposed JPIC website focused on justice and peace, encourages feedback on domain names, and celebrates the cross-cultural connection fostered through The Other Half program with Filipino youth. Lastly, it promotes the 2025 Marian Lecture by renowned Wiradjuri journalist Stan Grant, who will speak on hope and healing in a fractured world.

Jonathan Roumie’s journey to portraying Jesus in The Chosen began with small-scale performances for a friend’s church. Initially cast in a short film titled The Two Thieves, Roumie originally auditioned for the role of the penitent thief but was unexpectedly asked to read for Jesus. Though Jesus had few lines, Roumie embraced the role, which led to recurring collaborations with Dallas Jenkins—the creator of The Chosen. These early projects, rooted in Ignatian spirituality and filmed for Good Friday services, laid the foundation for the larger vision of a series exploring the life and ministry of Christ. What began as a short film eventually transformed into a multi-season global phenomenon, with The Chosen becoming the most successful crowdfunded television series in history, streaming to millions worldwide.

Documentary and Trailer of the Passion of the Christ

I like to think of the Church as this simple and humble people who walk in the presence of the Lord (the faithful people of God). This is the religious meaning of our faithful people. And I say faithful people so as not to fall into the many ideological approaches and schemes with which the reality of the people of God is 'reduced'. Simply faithful people, or also, Gods holy faithful people on the way, saind and sinner. And this is the Church.