WE ARE ALL PILGRIMS

 “What does the Lord require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8

It is a joy to return to the life and rhythm of St Bede’s after an extraordinary pilgrimage through Italy. It was a journey of faith, reflection, and deep personal renewal. While I travelled across sacred landscapes and walked in the footsteps of saints, I never felt I walked alone. The spirit of the St Bede’s community journeyed with me. 

This pilgrimage was especially significant as I found myself in Rome during the conclave to elect our new pope. To be in the heart of the Church at such a historic moment, standing in St Peter’s Square, surrounded by pilgrims from every corner of the world was profoundly moving. The election of Pope Leo was a powerful reminder that the Holy Spirit continues to guide and renew our Church.

One of the most moving experiences of the journey was visiting the resting place of Pope Francis, whose papacy shaped the modern Church with compassion, humility and bold calls for inclusion and justice. Standing there, I reflected on his life of service and prayed that the spirit he modelled continues to be alive at St Bede’s; in our staff, in our students, and in the way we care for one another.

Passing through the Holy Doors at St Peter’s Basilica and other significant basilicas, I carried with me the prayers and intentions of our whole school community. That simple act of crossing a threshold became a symbol of the grace and hope I see every day in our classrooms, our playgrounds, and our families.

Assisi was another highlight. The peaceful home of St Francis, St Clare and the future saint in Carlos Acutis, the first millennial saint, was where I found moments of quiet to pray and reflect on the mission of Catholic education and members of our school community. At San Damiano, where Francis first heard the call to “Rebuild my Church,” I was reminded that our mission at St Bede’s is also to build: build character, build community, and build lives rooted in Gospel values.

Throughout the pilgrimage, I kept returning to a simple but powerful verse from Scripture:
“What does the Lord require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” This verse echoes in the hearts of saints like Francis, Clare, Catherine of Siena, Benedict, Peter, and Paul, and I believe it is lived out, in small but real ways, by our students every day. When children help one another in the playground, stand up for what’s right, include someone who feels left out, or show care in the classroom, they are walking humbly, loving mercy, and acting justly.

At St Bede’s, we encourage our students to be young people of integrity, kindness and faith. The scripture above is a reminder to us all, that a meaningful life doesn’t require perfection. It simply asks us to live with a heart open to others, a sense of fairness, and a spirit of humility. These are the values that build strong children, strong schools, and strong communities.

I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to Mrs Breen Fox, who led our school with such steadiness and care during my time away. Her leadership, along with the professionalism and commitment of our wonderful staff, ensured our school continued to flourish. I’m incredibly grateful to return to such a vibrant and loving community.

As I resume my role as Principal, I carry the blessings of this pilgrimage with me. Even more than that, I return inspired by the way our students and staff live out the Gospel each day. We are all pilgrims growing, learning, and journeying together in faith.

Regards

Andrew