24th
November - 1st December 1986
Although this was his second visit to Australia, it was his first
as Pope and Head of State of the Holy See. It was his 32nd foreign
pilgrimage in which he visited his 73rd country. He spent six
and a half days in Australia travelling 11,360 kilometres. He was
66 years old.
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| [Pope sitting with background words
"Wecome to RAAF Fairbairn"]
Photographer Julian Bajkowski
Reproduced with permission |
The national theme of the papal visit was "Christ
the Way, the Truth and the Life". This coincided with the International
Year of Peace.
During this visit he covered every major city including the capital
city Canberra (24th) and all the state capitals of Brisbane (25th),
Sydney (25-27th), Hobart (27th), Melbourne (27th-29th), Darwin (29th),
Adelaide (29th-30th), Perth (30th-1st) including a stopover in Alice
Springs (29th) where he met with representatives of the Aboriginal
Australians and Torres Strait Islanders.
His major liturgical functions were to celebrate eight outdoor
Masses. He also took part in ecumenical, youth services and meetings
with Catholic teachers, religious orders, the media, the sick and
disabled, the unemployed, school children, academics, medical personnel,
industrial workers and the rural community.
He gave twenty-five speeches and twelve homilies - a total of thirty-seven.
Canberra, ACT, 24-25 November
24th November, Monday
Arrival and Australian government welcome, Canberra Airport [3.15pm]
Celebration of Holy Mass, National Exhibition Centre [4.15pm]
Calls on Government House [7.15pm]
Reception at Old Parliament House [7.45pm]
Departs reception [8.55pm]
While in Canberra the Pope resided at the Apostolic Nunciature.
The major event was the Celebration of the Mass at the National
Exhibition Centre before an estimated crowd of 85,000. The open
air podium was elevated for the congregration. The Pope was joined
by nearly 200 concelebrants including Archbishop Francis Carroll
of Canberra-Goulburn, Archbishop Edward Clancy of Sydney, other
bishops and priests from the Archdiocese and beyond.
Part of the Mass included the procession of gifts. This was lead
by Professor Jerzy Zubrzycki, the eminent sociologist and Pole who
migrated to Australia soon after World War II. He was a member of
the Papal Visit Task Force and had known Wojtyla in Cracow prior
to the war.
25th November, Tuesday
Diplomatic reception, Apostolic Nunciature [8.20am]
Received by Governor-General, Prime Minister at Canberra Airport
[9.40am]
Departure from Canberra Airport for Brisbane [10.00am]
Brisbane, Qld, 25th November, Tuesday
Arrival and reception at Brisbane Airport by Governor, Premier of
Queensland [11.00am]
Meeting with the Sick and Disabled, Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Sports
Centre [12.00pm]
Meeting with the Media, Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Sports Centre
[12.55pm]
Viewing Australian fauna, Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Sports Centre
[1.10pm]
Celebration of the Eucharist [1.30pm]
Address and blessing to people of Queensland, King George Square
[4.10pm]
Farewell reception at Brisbane Airport by Governor, Premier of Queensland
[5.05pm]
Departure from Brisbane Airport [5.15pm]
Sydney, NSW, 25th-27th November,
25th November, Tuesday
Arrival and reception at Sydney Airport by Governor, Premier of
NSW [7.35pm]
Youth Celebration, 'Let our choice be Peace', Sydney Cricket Ground
[8.15pm]
Departs Youth Celebration for St. Mary's Presbytery [9.30pm]
26th November, Wednesday
On this day almost 1 million people saw the Pope.
Meeting with Jewish community, St. Mary's Presbytery [8.00am]
Arrives Blacktown Showground and leaves in Popemobile for Seven
Hills [9.15am]
Meeting with employees at Industrial Workers' Rally at Transfield
Ltd, Seven Hills [9.50am]
Meeting with religious orders, Sydney Opera House [12.20pm]
Views Sydney Harbour [1.10pm]
Meeting with Catholic Bishops of Australia, St. Mary's Presbytery,
Sydney [1.40pm]
Meeting, address to Australian academic community, University of
Sydney [4.30pm]
Celebration of Holy Eucharist, Randwick Racecourse [5.50pm]
The congregation was estimated to be 250,000 people.
Departs Randwick Racecourse for St. Mary's Presbytery [8.45pm]
27th November, Thursday
Farewell reception at Sydney Airport by Governor, Premier of NSW
[8.30am]
Departure from Sydney Airport for Hobart [8.40am]
Hobart, Tas., 27th November, Thursday
Arrival and reception at Hobart Airport by Governor, Premier of
Tasmania [10.25am]
Meeting with unemployed at Willson Training Centre, Sandy Bay [11.15am]
Celebration of Holy Eucharist, Elwick Racecourse [2.40pm]
Reception and farewell at Hobart Airport by Governor, Premier of
Tasmania [5.25pm]
Departure from Hobart Airport for Melbourne [5.35pm]
Melbourne, Vic., 27th-29th November
27th November, Thursday
Arrival and reception at Melbourne Airport by Governor, Premier
of Victoria [6.50pm]
Visit, candle lighting and prayer, St. Paul's Cathedral with Anglican
Archbishop of Melbourne
[7.50pm]
Ecumenical Service, Melbourne Cricket Ground [8.15pm]
Departs Melbourne Cricket Ground for St. Patrick's Presbytery [9.05pm]
28th November, Friday
Visit to church and parish school of St. Leo the Great, N. Altona
[8.35am]
Meeting and address on Catholic education, Melbourne Sports and
Entertainment Centre
[10.25am]
National gathering of clergy and seminarians, St. Patrick's Cathedral
[11.45am]
Visits the Homeless at Ozanam House, N. Melbourne [3.15pm]
Celebration of Holy Eucharist, Flemington Racecourse [4.00pm]
Visit to intensive care ward, Mercy Maternity Hospital, E. Melbourne
[7.15pm]
Meeting with Polish Australian community, Melbourne Cricket Ground
[8.10pm]
Departs Melbourne Cricket Ground [9.05pm]
29th November, Saturday
Reception and farewell at Melbourne Airport by Governor, Premier
of Victoria [7.50pm]
Departure from Melbourne Airport for Darwin.
Addresses to the people of "The Outback", RAAF aircraft
on route
" Radio address to Children of the Katherine School of the
Air [8.30am]
" Address to Royal Flying Doctor Service personnel [8.45]
Darwin, Alice Springs, 29th November, Saturday
Darwin
Arrival and reception at RAAF Base, Darwin by the Administrator
and Chief Minister, Northern
Territory [10.20am]
Celebration of Holy Eucharist, Royal North Australian Show Society
Showgrounds [10.40am]
Reception and farewell at RAAF Base Darwin by Administrator and
Chief Minister, Northern
Territory [1.25pm]
Departure from Darwin for Alice Springs [1.30pm]
Alice Springs
Arrival and reception by traditional Aboriginal owners of the land
at Alice Springs Airport [3.35pm]
Meeting with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, Blatherskite
Park [4.45pm]
Presentation, prayer, address and blessing, Blatherskite Park [5.01pm]
Farewell reception by traditional Aboriginal land owners, Alice
Springs Airport [5.55pm]
Departure form Alice Springs Airport for Adelaide [6.05pm]
Adelaide, 29th-30th November
29th November, Saturday
Arrival and reception at Adelaide Airport by Governor, Premier of
South Australia [9.00pm]
Lighting of Advent Candle of Peace, Adelaide Town Hall [9.35pm]
Retires from Town Hall to "Ennis" residence of Archbishop
Gleeson [9.50pm]
30th November, Sunday
Meeting with rural industries representatives, Festival Centre [8.10am]
Celebration of Holy Eucharist, Victoria Park Racecourse [9.30am]
Farewell reception at Adelaide Airport by Governor, Premier of South
Australia [12.45pm]
Departure from Adelaide Airport for Perth [1.00pm]
Perth, 30th November - 1st December
30th November, Sunday
Arrival and reception at Perth Airport by Governor, Premier of Western
Australia [1.40pm]
Celebration of Holy Eucharist, Belmont Park Racecourse [2.10pm]
Meeting with the Aged, Little Sisters of the Poor, Glendalough [5.40pm]
Opens the Catholic Education Centre, Leederville [7.05pm]
Retires from the Catholic Education Centre to St. Mary's Presbytery[7.35pm]
1st December, Monday
Ceremonial departure at Perth Airport by Australian and West Australian
government
officials [7.30am]
Departure from Perth Airport for the Seychelles and Rome [8.00am]
Pope's farewell speech was addressed "To the Dear People of
Australia, Dear Friends"
which concluded:
"And all of this my dear people of Australia, is my wish for
you today and in the years ahead.
Remember always who you are, where you are going and why. Remember
how much you have to offer the world and how much its destiny depends
on you. As a nation you are called to greatness, for you are called
to love God and serve your fellowman! And now: Advance Australia
Fair!"
Meeting with the Polish Australian community, 28th November
1986
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| Karta wstepu na spotkanie Jana Pawla
II z Polakami [image 1] |
Jan Pawel II w Australii : karta bezplatna
wstepu [image 2] |
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Spotkanie z Polakami, Melbourne M.C.G. 28 Listopada 1986
[image 3]
[Melbourne, Vic.] : Spectrum Publications,
[1986]
Cover of program
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| Permission to reproduce
both images and program given by Fr. Slowik |
He also had a private meeting with the Polish community
of Australia on the 28th November at the Melbourne Cricket Ground
attended between 25,000 and 40,000 people commencing at 8.15 pm.
It included a Mass spoken in Polish and concelebrated by 48 Polish
chaplains serving in all parts of Australia.
This event was organised by the Victorian Organizing Committee
Meeting with Pope John Paul II and the Organizing Committee of the
Polish-Australian Community Meeting with Pope John Paul II together
with assistance from the many Polish Australian umbrella, state
and local organisations (Source: Jan Pawel II w Australii : spotkanie
z polakami, Melbourne, M.C.G., 28 Listopada 1986)
The programme for this meeting included a concert, official greetings
(by Bishop S. Wesoly, Father Wrona, Mr. K. Lancucki), a Mass, an
hour with the Pope and the Rosary.
The stadium was filled with white and red banners, the national
colours of Poland. Some welcomed the Pope, others had names of Australian
cities and town, others represented various Polish groups and organisations
- Polish ethnic schools, youth groups, veterans. A huge Solidarity
banner was draped over the whole upper deck of the Western stand.
Many wore their regional costumes.
With the arrival of the Popemobile, the crowd sang "Sto lat"
- meaning " Live 100 years". Members of various dance
groups performed.
The Pope spoke in Polish to his compatriots referring to the many
Polish and Australian links, his first visit in 1973, the difficulties
of emigration, the Polish church in Australia, the importance of
family.
He was presented with flowers by three Polish Australian children.
This was followed by the Liturgy of the Word, a multi-lingual greeting
to other national groups, a meeting and blessing of the sick and
disabled. His departure was to the hymn "Boze cos Polske"
- Protect Poland, O God.
A copy of the Pope's speech given to the Poles is available on
the Vatican website but only in Polish http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/speeches/1986/november/documents/hf_jp-ii_spe_19861128_com-polacca-melbourne-australia_pl.html
The Victorian Polish Organising Committee also organized a concert
in the Dallas Brooks Hall at 5.00 pm on the 28th Nov. which included
guests of the Catholic Church, Australian and state government officials.
The concert titled Letter to the Pope attracted a full house of
approx. 2,000 people and was regarded by the Polish Australian community
as one of the most important and significant artistic concerts organized.
The cost to the Polish Australian community for the Pope's visit
amongst them was $115,647.31. The Victorian Polish Organising Committee,
which carried out the details of this meeting published this figure
in The advocate, 7 May 1987. A letter from Chris Hurford, the Minister
assisting the Prime Minister for the Papal Visit acknowledged the
financial contribution of the Polish Australian community toward
this visit.
Special issue of Tygodnik Polski
A special issue of the Polish Australian Catholic newspaper Tygodnik
Polski, no. 48, 6 December 1986 was published on the occasion of
this first papal visit to Australia.
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| Its distinctive coloured cover [Image
of cover with Pope holding a girl in Krakowski costume]
and coloured centrefold [Image of centrefold Witamy Wielkiego
Rodaka] |
featuring a silhouette of Poland's famous landmarks superimposed
on a silhouette of Australia's famous landmarks with a coloured
back cover of a strolling Pope dressed in white holding Rosary beads.
Permission to reproduce given.
Back cover not reproduced. Permission to reproduce back cover, in
copyright, not sought from
L' Osservatore romano.
Articles on various aspects of the Pope and his pontificate.
" Symbioza kosciola i narodu / redaktor Jerzy Grot-Kwasniewski
" Bog zaplac / Z.P. Koziell ; Ks. Wieslaw Slowik
" Pielgrzym wsrod pielgrzymow : dlaczego podrozuje? / Marek
Skwarnicki
" Dwie podroze do Polski Jana Pawla II / Zdzislaw Peszkowski
" Dwie notatki z Kalkuty (z Papiezem w Indiach) / Tadeusz Nowakowski
" Osiem lat pontyfikatu Papieza Jana Pawla II / wojciech Plazak
" On wie
" Witamy Wielkiego Rodaka w Australii - Contal Co. / Henryk
Syriatowicz
Tu I tam : international independent monthly magazine
in the Polish language,
nr. 5-6 (Grudz. 1986- Stycz. 1987)
This issue has a thirty-one page section on the Pope's visit to
Australia. It is a photo report by Tadeusz Matkowski with some text
under the title Z papiezem po Australii.
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| [Image of front cover of this issue
of Tu I tam]
Copyright Tadeusz Matkowski
Permission to reproduce given |
Impressions
"John Paul's genius in his ability to transcend sectarian barriers
and promote the universal virtues with which all men and women can
identify. His fundamental message of peace, love and hope should
appeal to all Australians, Roman Catholic or not." - The Age
Statistics
This pilgrimage which took in other countries in South East Asia
was the longest of all John Paul's apostolic voyages in terms of
distance travelled [48, 974] and the number of speeches, homilies
given [57].
Memorabilia issued during this visit
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| Round plaque Pope John Paul II Australia
1986 [English version] with Pope's portrait
[Courtesy of Tadeusz Zapasnik]
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Round plaque Papiez Jan Pawel II Australia
1986 [Polish version] with Pope's portrait
[Courtesy of Stanislawa Baran]
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| Postcard featuring Sydney and the Polish
War Memorial Chapel Our Lady of Czestochowa, Queen of Poland
[Image]
Coyright Ted Matkowski
Produced in conjunction with Contal Co.
Permission to reproduce given
Postcard courtesy of Stan Kowalski |
Postcard featuring Melbourne and Sydney,
the Polish War Memorial Chapel Our Lady of Czestochowa,
Queen of Poland and the Polish Church in Essendon [Image]
Coyright Ted Matkowski
Produced in conjunction with Contal Co.
Permission to reproduce given
Postcard courtesy of Stan Kowalski |
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