Australia Day reflection guide for Catholics

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council has called for deep reflection and prayer as the nation marks Australia Day 2025.

The Council has released the Australia Day 2025 Reflection and Discernment Guide to enable Catholics to explore the complexities and significance of the day.

It also wants Australians to reflect on a nation where all feel included, respected, and valued, in a bid to inspire meaningful action and a commitment to reconciliation.

“NATSICC acknowledges and respects that many Australians hold a deep connection to this day and the pride they feel in our country,” the guide states.

“For many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, however, January 26 is a day of mixed emotions – one that brings sadness, reflection, and a sense of unresolved history.”

The guide is to be used by groups and individuals for prayerful reflection on Australia Day, which this year falls on a Sunday – our Holy Day in which the faithful come together to reflect, give thanks and seek God’s guidance.

The guide includes prayers, scripture passages and questions for reflection.

The final reflection section asks people to consider exploring other dates that might serve as a “more inclusive national celebration, without the heavy historical connotations of January 26”.

“Some possible alternatives could include May 27 (anniversary of the 1967 Referendum) or NAIDOC Week.”

NATSICC has long advocated for a change in the date of Australia Day, arguing May 27 stands as a “powerful symbol of national consensus, when over 90 per cent of Australians voted YES to include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in the population count”.

“This moment in history represents a time when Australians came together with hope for a better future and made a practical step to begin that journey,” the guide reads.