Walking in the Footsteps of Marcellin: Champagnat Marists from Aotearoa New Zealand Embark on a Pilgrimage of Heart and Spirit

maristbrothers
1 day ago
4 min read

From 13 to 23 September, Champagnat Marists from Aotearoa New Zealand undertook their second annual pilgrimage to Rome, L’Hermitage, and Lyon. It was a deeply moving journey, tracing the footsteps of St Marcellin Champagnat. Along the way, the pilgrims deepened their understanding of the Marist heart and mission, and formed beautiful connections that will last a lifetime, writes Daniel Dungey, Partnership Coordinator for Fiji, Samoa, Kiribati, and Aotearoa New Zealand.

Our second annual pilgrimage consisting of 14 Champagnat Marists to Rome, Lyon and L’Hermitage from 13-23 September was capably and enthusiastically led by our core team of Br Martin Pattison (replacing Br Barry Burns), Fr John Craddock sm (Chaplain) and Dan Dungey (Coordinator). The presence of Mons. Bernard Kiely was certainly the cherry on top!

Our 10-day pilgrimage invited participants to take a journey of the heart to the sources of our founding Marist story. Six Principals from our Champagnat Marist Schools’ Network were represented from Invercargill, Christchurch, Masterton, Palmerston North & Hamilton following on from Keith Simento (St Paul’s, Auckland) attending our inaugural pilgrimage last year.

The journey began in Rome with a shared meal on the Saturday evening close to our central accommodation at Casa per Ferie Sancta Lucia Filippini. Our Marist Brothers General House visitation where Br Michael Sexton was to greet and address us was a real highlight.

Although it was a ‘quieter than usual’ General House due to the Chapter in Manila, the care and hospitality was felt immensely. Jubilee Year was an overwhelming experience of busyness and enthusiasm around Vatican City. Spirits were lifted by visiting our Marcellin statue where Br Martin spoke from the heart about the qualities of our founder and the inspiration behind the statue. At the midday Angelus in St Peter’s Square, Pope Leo’s 70^th birthday was acknowledged to great cheer.

In Lyon we encountered origins of the of the Marist Project at Fourviere and experienced the spiritual connection of being in places significant to the life works of Marcellin Champagnat at L’Hermitage and surrounding areas. A special ‘Te Waewae Tapu – Sacred first-time visitors’ ritual took place upon our arrival at L’Hermitage where pilgrims offered taonga (gifts representing hopes and dreams) that held deep meaning to them.

We honoured and acknowledged the spirits of the early Marists who came to Aotearoa on mission and died there. Setting out in 1836 with Bishop Pompallier were:

· Fathers: Servant, Bataillon, Bret and Peter Chanel

· Brothers: Marie Nizier, Michel Colomban and Joseph Zavier

There were so many blessings upon our arrival in France and not even the odd set back or two could deter the spirit of our group. The accompaniment of Br Dem from the L’Hermitage community throughout our time in ‘Champagnat Country’ sharing his wisdom, insights and genuine care for our group. Another gem awaited courtesy of Fr John’s close friendship with Bishop Jean-Yves Riocreux who co-celebrated our mass at his hometown in Marlhes. Bishop Jean-Yves was previously administrator of Notre Dame de Paris, Bishop of Pontoise and then Guadeloupe.

The strong link with our group was made as Bishop Jean-Yves was responsible for negotiating with the French authorities for the exhumation and repatriation of Bishop Pompallier. Sharing mass at Le Puy with our Marist Missionary Sisters from Vanuatu, Tonga, Samoa, Australia and New Zealand was a fitting way to highlight that the original Marist dream lives on in each of us.

Many thanks to Brothers Peter Carroll and Peter Horide for supporting this initiative, Br David McDonald in preparing Te Waewae Tapu ritual along with our mass and liturgy resources and Br Bill Lawley for his tireless work in delivering our printing request which in turn has become important keepsakes for the group.

Special thanks to Br Colin Divane and our Onslow Community for hosting one of our overnight planning meetings with the core team leading up to this pilgrimage – as well as providing the space for a shared meal with our Auckland-based 2024 pilgrims.

Support comes in many different forms, and it is with deep gratitude that we would like to thank the many prayers and encouraging messages received from our Marist Bothers and wider Champagnat Marist whanau throughout this journey. As we are all aware, our pilgrimage is only now just beginning!

To journey alongside two passionate Marist men in Br Martin Pattison and Fr John Craddock in delivering an authentic pilgrimage of the heart was a true joy. Our group acknowledged that we were all the beneficiaries of their wonderful knowledge, companionship and presence. Extended thanks to both Br Martin and Fr John’s communities for sharing these inspiring men and their gifts with us. Br Barry Burns may not have been with us in person this year, however, his spirit was felt every step of the way – every liturgy and timetabled event had his care and fingerprints all over them and it is with extended thanks and gratitude to him for making this pilgrimage even possible.

Br Ernesto encourages us to build a new L’Hermitage for today and we have a mighty foundation to build upon 200 years on. As we now look beyond to the revisioning of our Marist dream here in Aotearoa New Zealand let us be mindful of the ongoing need for co-responsibility so we can continue to dream new dreams for the benefit of God’s mission, inspired by Marcellin, Mary and Jesus, as companions on this journey.

Champagnat Marist Aotearoa New Zealand Pilgrims 2025

BR MARTIN PATTISON	FR JOHN CRADDOCK
Margaret Leamy	Lee Nanai
Myra Coley	Paul McGuinness
Adam Coley	Jarlath Kelly
Jacob Vermunt	Michelle Jordan-Tong
Matheus Vermunt	Shane Tong
Daniel Dungey	Mons Bernard Kiely

He Kete Taonga

This Kete (basket) contains Taonga (the hopes and dreams) of pilgrims from Aotearoa New Zealand who, on entering Champagnat country for the first time, come as Waewae Tapu (sacred first-time visitors). On arrival, they leave their Taonga at Champagnat’s reliquary, and then traverse the land, the history and the narrative of Champagnat’s dream. At the end of their stay, they shift their taonga to this place to join with those who have come before them. Once completed, they are no longer Waewae Tapu. They are now Hunga Kainga, no longer stranger, no longer visitor but part of the Champagnat Marist whānau.

View more pics: