A pilgrimage in the Catholic tradition is a journey to a holy place to venerate it, to ask for aid, and to do penance.

Commencing in 1991, pilgrims have gathered from around the world to make a spiritual journey through the Australian countryside from St Patrick’s Cathedral, Ballarat to Sacred Heart Cathedral, Bendigo. The Christus Rex Pilgrimage remains the only pilgrimage of its kind in Australia.

The Feast of the Kingship of Our Lord Jesus Christ [is] to be observed yearly throughout the whole world on the last Sunday or the month of October.

Pius XI, Quas Primas

The Christus Rex Pilgrimage honours Christ the King and commemorates His feast on the day observed under the General Roman Calendar of 1960.

While walking along the route, the Pilgrims engage in communal prayer and song, as well as personal reflection and meditation. Masses and Confession are available to Pilgrims along the way. The Pilgrims eat and sleep in community halls and campgrounds. The Christus Rex Pilgrimage concludes with Mass celebrated at Sacred Heart Cathedral, Bendigo on Sunday afternoon.

A uniquely Australian feature of the Christus Rex Pilgrimage is the great spirit and fellowship of the Pilgrims. The Pilgrimage is attended by hundreds of Pilgrims from around Australia and the world and attracts people of all ages and walks of life. The Christus Rex Pilgrimage provides a perfect opportunity for Catholics to make new friendships and renew old ones.

Once men recognise, both in private and in public life, that Christ is King, society will at last receive the great blessings of real liberty, well-ordered discipline, peace and harmony.

Pius XI, Quas Primas

Today, the Christus Rex Pilgrimage is conducted by the Christus Rex Society Inc.  The Society is made up of a volunteer group of pilgrims, successors to the original pilgrims, and who are united by their great love of Christ the King.