Seminary pilgrimage visits Christchurch Diocese

There were six first-year students among the 31 seminarians who visited the diocese from February 8-12. In the first-year group, one is in preparation for Palmerston North Diocese, one for Dunedin Diocese and two each for Christchurch Diocese and Wellington Archdiocese respectively.

The 2026 hikoi started with the seminary students and staff joining Bishop Michael Gielen and parishioners for Mass at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral. Participants learned about the history of Christchurch Diocese in a talk at Nazareth House and visited Sacred Heart Basilica in Timaru and the St Mary MacKillop Heritage Centre in Temuka.

They also enjoyed a barbecue at the Cathedral presbytery, prepared by Bishop Gielen and the local parish team, and met the priests of the diocese.

A prayerful time was spent at the Beatitudes Community in Leithfield, which was described as “a time to slow down, listen and be renewed in the Lord”.

At Akaroa, the hikoi participants learned about Bishop Pompallier and the first church in the South Island. On February 11, they visited the Carmelite Sisters and later gathered with 130 young people for dinner before attending the Youth and Young Adults Encounter Night at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral.

On the last day of the hikoi, the seminary students and staff joined Bishop Gielen and parishioners at Mass at St Gregory’s church in Christ the Redeemer Parish, Christchurch North.

After the hikoi, Holy Cross Seminary rector Fr David Dowling said “in addition to the knowledge that seminarians gain about the local Church, its history and people, the annual hikoi/pilgrimage to one of our dioceses is a highly formative experience for our seminarians”. 

Sixth-year seminarian Gerson Badayos from Wellington said being on the hikoi this year was “a privilege and a blessing”.

“I would like to mention the church in Timaru. It’s really beautiful. Being inside that church, you can really feel the Holy Spirit moving,” Mr Badayos said.

Another highlight for him was visiting the Beatitudes Community.

“It’s just so nice seeing holy men and women responding to God’s call, and inspiring others to do the same . . . . I’m very inspired to live a life of holiness and of service to others,” he said.

Another sixth-year seminarian, Tung Tran (Ignatius) from Christchurch, enjoyed the “companionship and brotherhood that I have shared with all my brothers in the last few days”.

Second-year seminarian Samuel Turnbull from Hamilton Diocese also enjoyed visiting the basilica in Timaru, adding that another hikoi highlight for him was “visiting the Carmelite Sisters and getting to talk with them, and asking them for their prayers”.

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