Campbelltown Pine Grove

One of the most treasured moments of the Christus Rex Pilgrimage takes place in the pine grove at Campbelltown, where pilgrims gather on Saturday for a deeply memorable outdoor Mass and lunch among the trees.

Set beneath a custom-designed marquee, the open-air altar is sheltered by bright printed fabric adorned with Australian motifs, Catholic symbols, and emblems honouring Christ the King. The vibrant colours of the canopy stand in beautiful contrast to the dark green of the surrounding pine forest, creating a scene that is at once reverent and celebratory. It is the beating heart of Saturday’s journey, a place where the sacred liturgy comes alive amidst the beauty of the Australian countryside.

As the Holy Mass is offered according to the 1962 Missal, pilgrims are surrounded by the fragrance of paella cooking on open fires nearby. Rich aromas of chorizo, garlic, saffron, and woodsmoke drift through the grove, mingling with incense and the distant sounds of birdsong and chant. It is an unforgettable sensory experience,where worship and creation speak with one voice.

Near the grove, volunteers set up a Marian shrine, lovingly decorated each year with locally sourced flowers. Pilgrims stop here to offer a quiet prayer to Our Lady, entrusting their intentions and giving thanks for the grace of the journey so far. The shrine has become a quiet focal point for many, tucked beneath the trees, yet deeply felt in the heart.

Campbelltown’s pine grove is more than a stop, it is a moment of joy, beauty, and spiritual refreshment. A place where the temporal and eternal meet, and where the road to Christ the King is paved with worship, generosity, and the harmony of the natural world.