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October 19, 2026
As the Catholic Church marked 100 years of World Mission Sunday in October, communities across Australia celebrated a shared commitment to mission. Throughout the month, Masses, prayer gatherings and local initiatives have brought people together in faith and solidarity. In the Diocese of Bunbury, Western Australia, the celebrations also took to the trails, with 100 pilgrims walking the annual 16km Kirup Camino.
On the Feast Day of St Therese of Lisieux, patron saint for Mission, 100 pilgrims walked the annual Kirup Camino to celebrate 100 years of World Mission Sunday.
Now in its third year, the event is held in the Catholic Diocese of Bunbury on the first day of October for the start of World Mission Month each year.
This year’s pilgrimage began at the Church of St Therese, in Balingup, with two pilgrims’ blessings to allow for a staggered start with only 50 pilgrims able to fit at one time in the small village church.
To conclude the Kirup Camino, a pilgrims’ mass was held at 3pm at the Holy Family Church, in Kirup, presided by the Bishop of Bunbury, the Most Reverend George Kolodziej SDS.
The Kirup Camino follows a picturesque walk trail along the rail reserve between the small South West towns of Balingup and Kirup, passing rolling, lush green paddocks and beside jarrah and marri forest, where Spring wildflowers are found by the observant.
World Mission Sunday was established by Pope Pius XI in 1926 to foster a universal missionary spirit, to encourage vocations, and to support the growing needs of those involved in building up the church’s activity, particularly in developing areas.
Pope Leo’s World Mission Sunday message for 2026, centred on the theme “One in Christ, united in mission”, prompts reflection on the work of missionaries around the world and highlights the Universal Church’s enduring commitment to support the life-giving work of mission.
Catholic Mission’s focus for World Mission Month this year is building a new primary school closer to where displaced families now live in rural Malawi.
In recent years, the people of Malawi have faced severe hardship due to devastating floods which destroyed homes, farmland, and entire communities, and for many families, daily life has become a constant struggle for survival.
The 100 pilgrims participating in this year’s Kirup Camino raised over $4000 to help build classrooms, provide nutritious meals, and ensure children have the books and supplies they need to learn in rural Malawi.
