“Tu es sacerdos in aeternum”

The Christus Rex Pilgrimage is deeply enriched by the presence and participation of clergy. As shepherds guiding the faithful, priests who accompany the pilgrimage provide essential sacramental support, pastoral care, and spiritual leadership throughout the journey.

The Role of Clergy

Clergy are invited to join the pilgrimage in a spirit of humility and fraternity, walking alongside the faithful and offering:

• Daily Mass: Celebrated each day using the 1962 Missal, with multiple priests assisting where required. The final Mass of Christ the King at Sacred Heart Cathedral is a Solemn High Mass.
• Confessions: Priests are encouraged to make themselves available for confessions during rest breaks, overnight stops, and where possible along the route.
• Spiritual Direction: Pilgrims may seek guidance or encouragement during their journey; a quiet word or counsel from a priest can be a great source of grace.
• Blessings and Prayers: From blessing rosaries to leading the Angelus, clergy uplift and strengthen the devotional character of the pilgrimage.

Registration

All clergy attending the Christus Rex Pilgrimage—whether walking the full route or joining for part—must register in advance via our online form. There is no charge for clergy registration, but bookings are essential for diocesan permissions, liturgical planning, accommodation, meals, and other logistical arrangements.

Clergy Registration Requirements

When completing the clergy registration form, you will be required to provide:

• Your personal contact details (postal address, phone number, and email)
• Your Working With Children Check (WWCC) details
• Your Australian Catholic Ministry Register (ACMR) number

Accurate and complete information is essential. This information will be submitted on your behalf to the Dioceses of Ballarat and Sandhurst to facilitate permission to minister during the Pilgrimage.

Important:

• If you do not have an ACMR number, you will be required to complete additional diocesan paperwork. This includes a “Statement Relating to Professional Standards,” which must be signed by you and countersigned and sealed by your relevant Church authority (e.g., bishop, provincial, or superior).
• Please ensure you allow sufficient time to obtain these signatures and submit the completed documentation.

Terms and Policies

All clergy must accept:

• The Christus Rex Society Registration Terms and Conditions
• The Christus Rex Society Code of Conduct
• The Christus Rex Society Child Safety Policy

Acknowledgement of these requirements will form part of the online registration process.

Registration Deadline

All clergy registrations must be completed no later than 1 September 2026.
This ensures sufficient time to finalise diocesan paperwork and allocate liturgical roles.
Please note that we may be unable to accept registrations received after this date.

What to Bring

In addition to personal items, clergy should bring:

• Cassock and/or clerical attire
• Alb, stole, and suitable vestments if offering Mass
• Breviary or hand missal
• Portable confessional stole
• Rosary and other devotional items

If you are travelling by air and cannot bring vestments, please let us know in advance and arrangements will be made.

Accommodation

1. Camping (Recommended Option)

• Facilitates full participation in the Pilgrimage in solidarity with lay Pilgrims.
• Avoids additional costs and inconvenience of travelling to and from off-site accommodation.
• A designated Clergy camping area will be reserved to permit a degree of separation (subject to interest).
• You will be required to bring your own camping equipment (eg. tent, sleeping mat and bag), the Society does not supply camping equipment.

2. Off-Site Accommodation

• Clergy are welcome to stay off-site at their own expense.
• Please note that there are limited accommodation options nearby – if you stay off-site you may miss out on walking some sections of the Pilgrimage.
• We can assist with shuttling you to and from you off-site accommodation at the beginning and end of each day.
• You must advise us early of your accommodation address for safety and scheduling.

3. Camper Trailer Hire

• If you wish to stay on-site, but do not wish to camp in a tent, we suggest that you consider hiring a simple campervan, caravan or camper trailer.
• We can arrange suitable parking spaces for your van at each of the overnight stops.
• You will need to arrange for a person to assist you with driving/towing the van to each evening stop while you walk. We can assist with arranging a shuttle for your driver so that they may re-join the pilgrimage.
• You would be responsible for all hire and associated costs

Questions?

If you have any questions about clergy registration, travel arrangements, or liturgical participation, we warmly invite you to contact the Christus Rex Society.

Please reach out to the Society via info@crex.org

We are a volunteer-run Society and will respond to your enquiry as soon as possible.