CORE3001 Pilgrimage Elective

Waiting with Mary: an Advent Pilgrimage in Rome

Join us and experience an unforgettable pilgrimage guided by Mary's embrace, which will resonate through your life for years to come.
To be eligible for the pilgrimage, you must meet the following requirements:

• Completion of the Foundations of Wisdom course, as indicated by CORE1000 (or equivalent)
• A minimum of one year of study at The University of Notre Dame, Australia
• At least 18 years of age
• Possession of a passport that is valid for at least 6 more months.

The pilgrimage

Before departing on the pilgrimage, you will attend virtual classes with students from all campuses to learn about how Mary has inspired the Catholic intellectual tradition. You will become familiar with some philosophers, theologians, artists, and writers whose work you will discover in Rome.

The pilgrimage will depart on November 31st and arrive in Rome on December 1st, where you will stay for 14 days before departing on December 14th.

• We will travel together and make our way to the Domus Australia in Rome, which was established for Australian pilgrims to visit the Eternal City.
• Once there, we will spend our days together exploring. The city will be our classroom as we explore the ancient catacombs, the major basilicas, including Santa Maria Maggiore, where we will see relics of Christ’s crib, the Vatican, and the Trastevere area that includes the church of Santa Maria in Trastevere.
• We will visit the Vatican museum and meet with members of one of the dicasteries in the Holy See.
• Experience a day trip to Assisi.
• Each day, we will participate in daily mass, shared meals, and prayer times.
• Each day you will have time to write reflections in a journal.
• On the last day of class, you will have time to write and submit your final assessment.

Scholarships

International Core Grant

The International Core Grant aims to support students who have experienced financial or educational difficulties in participating in study abroad programs at the university. This grant is specifically designed for those enrolled in the International Core Curriculum. The grant covers the necessary travel expenses, such as international flights, accommodations, mandatory activities, and provided meals for the program.

• How do I apply for the International Core Grant?

  Simply fill out the International Core Grant section as part of your application for the International Core Curriculum Pilgrimage.

  You are asked to provide the following supporting documents:

  • A personal statement (up to 500 words) explaining your situation and how receiving the International Core Grant would enable you to participate in the pilgrimage.
  • Other applicable evidence to support your application, including:
    • Proof of receipt of Centrelink payments.
    • Proof of regional address.
    • Evidence of disability or ongoing medical condition.
    • Evidence of responsibilities of caring for another person who needs ongoing support due to a long-term medical condition, a mental illness, a disability, frailty, or the need for palliative care.
    • Proof of humanitarian visa.
    • Any other supporting documents.

  Successful Grant applicants will be notified at the same as pilgrimage applicants are advised of the outcome of their application to participate in the trip.

• Who can receive the Grant?

  To be eligible to be considered to receive the Grant, you will need to demonstrate financial hardship and/or that you have experienced challenging circumstances that have impacted your education, such as:

  • Being the first person in your immediate family to attend university
  • Relocating from a regional or remote area to attend university
  • Experiencing a disability or ongoing medical condition
  • Being an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person
  • Having caring or sole parenting responsibilities
  • Experiencing displacement, such as out of home care, refugee or asylum seeker background

• What does the International Core Grant cover?

  The Internation Core Grant covers

  • Return airfares
  • Transfers to and from accommodation
  • Accommodation
  • Meals: breakfast, specified dinners at accommodation
  • Day trips

  Individual expenses are not included:

  • Per diem expenses / spending money for additional activities or experiences while on the trip
  • Travel insurance

OS-HELP Loan

The University receives several OS-HELP loans from the Commonwealth Government each year. These loans are intended to provide financial assistance to Commonwealth Supported Students who wish to pursue a portion of their studies overseas.

Each student is eligible to apply for a maximum of two OS-HELP loans and is only available for students who have completed one year of study. If you're interested in applying, please check out the eligibility criteria and application process. Don't forget to submit your OS-HELP application no later than May 30, 2024.

Find out more about OS-HELP

Application process and timeline

How to apply

Please write a personal statement of 300-500 words explaining why you are interested in attending this pilgrimage and what you hope to gain from the experience. This statement can be entered into the online application form. If you are selected, you will be contacted for an interview. If you are accepted after the interview, you will need to confirm your enrolment.

Timeline

1. Applications open on April 24, 2024
2. Applications close on May 12, 2024
3. You will be advised by email or phone on May 13, 2024 if you will be invited for an interview.
4. Interviews will be conducted on:
   • Fremantle: May 16, 2024
   • Sydney: May 20, 2024
5. Successful applicants will be advised on May 21, 2024, including recipients of the International Core Grant.
6. Students must accept the offer by no later than May 23, 2024 5:00pm EST
7. Students wishing to submit an OS-HELP Loan must submit no later than May 30, 2024

Contact us

If you have any questions about this pilgrimage, please don’t hesitate to contact School of Philosophy & Theology: