The Divine Word Missionary seminarians took a break from Dorish Maru College in Melbourne over winter and embarked on an epic pilgrimage to the spiritual heart of Australia – an experience which had a big impact on their hearts and their formation as missionary priests.

The pilgrimage took the students from Melbourne to Adelaide, Coober Pedy, Uluru, Alice Springs, Santa Teresa and Port Augusta. They were accompanied by Formator of Scholastics, Fr Linh Nguyen SVD and Vice-Rector of Dorish Maru College and OTP Director, Fr Yon Wiryono SVD.

Fr Linh said the trip, taken during the university winter holidays and including 11 SVD students, had four primary aims, apart from showing the culturally diverse group of students some of Australia’s outback.

“The Winter Break is primarily a time for the Dorish Maru College students to bond together,” he said. “As a group, the scholastic students come together and have a combined holiday and workshops and seminars, as well as visiting places of cultural and spiritual importance.

“It’s also a time for them to learn more about the four characteristic dimensions of the Society of the Divine Word through participating in workshops and seminars.

“Along the way, we visit other SVD communities and parishes, make pilgrimages to significant historical and spiritual places as well as doing some sightseeing in Melbourne, South Australia and the Northern Territory.

“And finally, it is also a time of retreat for the students, a reflective time to relax, refresh and renew their personal relationship with God and deepen their missionary vocations.”

Highlights of the pilgrimage included seeing Adelaide, known as the City of Churches, as well as the unique underground church at Coober Pedy, along with sunrise and sunset at Uluru, time spent with the parish at Alice Springs and with the Indigenous community at Santa Teresa, where the students also had a five-day silent retreat.

Student Peter Wang said the Winter Break Program “was a wonderful experience for all of us to have a pilgrimage to the spiritual heart of Australia”.

“It was not only a relaxing and enjoyable time, but also a profound chance of bonding together, spiritual renewal, and a deep learning for our missionary vocation journey,” he said.

Peter said the five-day silent retreat at Santa Teresa in Central Australia stood out as a highlight for him.

“It was a pilgrimage to the heart, a time of deep reflection and attentively listening, where I was able to connect with God on a more personal level and build good relationship with Holy Spirit,” he said. “I was encouraged to slow down, to be gentle, to be patient, to be humble, to listen, and to be still in the presence of the Trinity, especially focused on the Holy Spirit. During this time, I was able to recharge my spiritual batteries and renew my commitment to my vocation from this retreat, especially reflecting deeply and discerning about my final vows for the upcoming year.”

Gusty Siga said the pilgrimage was “transformative on many levels”.

“My pilgrimage to the spiritual heart of Australia has left an indelible mark on my heart and mind. It was a journey of discovery, learning, and profound connection that will continue to influence my perspective and actions in the future,” he said.

“One of the most enriching aspects of the trip was meeting the Aboriginal people. Their deep connection to the land, rich oral traditions, and enduring cultural practices provided an enlightening perspective. Engaging with the local communities, hearing their stories, and participating in cultural activities offered a glimpse into a way of life that is intricately woven with the natural world. The conversations with the Aboriginal elders and women were particularly impactful. They shared stories of their ancestors, the significance of the land, and the challenges they faced in preserving their culture in the modern world.”

For Krisna Papalesa, the experience in Santa Teresa, spending time with the local people and also alone in silent retreat in the spectacular desert setting, emphasised for him that God is present in all of creation.

“Living and experiencing the atmosphere in Santa Teresa taught me a lot of lessons particularly the presence of God and the SVD’s work,” he said. “Santa Teresa is a blessed place since God is there. I can see God working in the hearts of people and all plants and animals.

“Visiting Santa Teresa during winter break 2024 was a gift for me ... The experience in Santa Teresa strengthens my choice to be a priest in the future. I believe God is with me in this Journey.”

For Khanh Nguyen, the pilgrimage came at the end of his two-year Overseas Training Program and took on a different perspective, as he welcomed his SVD brothers to the parish in Alice Springs where he has been gaining pastoral experience.

“I was grateful to welcome my brothers to the Our Lady of the Sacred Heart parish where I was ministering,” he said. “I was especially happy to see my brothers again after one year since I left the DMC for my OTP pastoral.

He said the time spent talking, joking, sharing and praying with the other seminarians helped strengthen their bonds.

“Moreover, we as young brothers of SVD coming from international countries, shared publicly our vocation stories during the weekend masses in the parish. These stories assisted the parishioners in much more understanding about the religious vocation, especially how the vocation of SVD spread worldwide. I had a deeper understanding of my brothers’ vocation stories and what prompted them to follow the SVD vocation, which gave us a deeper connection.”

Luong Tran was transfixed by the beauty of Uluru which he found “both humbling and sacred”.

“It’s not just a geological wonder; it’s a sacred site for the Indigenous Anangu people. The rich spirituality of Uluru impacted me deeply, providing a moment to glorify the power of God in his creatures and also respect the way the local people connect with God through nature.

“In the end, this pilgrimage was a journey of discovery, not just discovery of Australia, but discovery of the self. It broadened my horizons, deepened my faith, and left me with lasting memories of a land that is as diverse as it is beautiful. The experience of touching the heart of Australia has enriched my soul and renewed my sense of wonder at the diverse world we inhabit.”

The students will now head back to their studies either in Theology or English language for the upcoming academic semester.