A resounding ‘yes’: Fiat 2025 unites Archdiocese in prayer for renewal

Last weekend, the Archdiocese of Melbourne once again hosted its annual Fiat: A Weekend of Prayer, uniting parishes, communities and individuals in reflection, prayer and devotion. The event, inspired by Mary’s wholehearted ‘yes’ to God’s mission at the Annunciation, provided a precious opportunity for Catholics across the Archdiocese to come together in communal prayer.

Falling within the Church’s Jubilee Year—a time dedicated to renewal, gratitude and hope—this year’s Fiat carried special significance. The theme of hope resonated throughout the weekend, reminding participants of God’s unwavering love and the promise of new beginnings.

Held from Friday 28 March to Sunday 30 March, Fiat coincided with the universal Church initiative ‘24 Hours for the Lord’, which is traditionally held during Lent and emphasises the sacrament of Reconciliation, calling the faithful to encounter God’s boundless love and mercy. Across the Archdiocese, parishes hosted hours of prayer, adoration and reflection, with many offering the sacrament of Reconciliation throughout the weekend.

It is so important to spend time, especially as young people, thinking about and praying about what our gifts and talents are ... and how we can use that to be of service to others.

Fiat began on Friday evening at St Augustine’s Church on Bourke Street, Melbourne, with live music, adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and opportunities for Confession. University students led a capella singing, while the Emmanuel Community led a reflective prayer session. Volunteers welcomed passersby, including many footy fans heading to the nearby Carlton v Footscray match at Marvel Stadium, offering them a warm drink from the coffee van and inviting them to step inside for prayer. The event was a great example of how we can reach out to those outside the church walls, offering a moment of peace and encounter.

Meanwhile, St Andrew’s Werribee hosted an ‘Encounter’ event for high-school students on Friday evening, drawing around 60–70 attendees. The program included games, prayer and an inspiring talk by Roseanne Rofaeel, founder of Christmas on the Streets (COTS). She challenged the young participants to use their unique gifts for service, saying, ‘It is so important to spend time, especially as young people, thinking about and praying about what our gifts and talents are ... and how we can use that to be of service to others.’

The Encounter event culminated in adoration and the sacrament of Reconciliation, led by Fr James Baptist and Fr Albert Yogarajah. The experience encouraged the young faithful to consider how their gifts could make a difference, reflecting on how even small acts of kindness can be transformative.

St Thomas’ Parish in Drysdale offered a variety of prayer opportunities, from the Second Rite of Reconciliation on Friday evening at St Patrick’s Church in Portarlington and praying the Rosary before Saturday Mass at St Philip and St James Church St Leonard’s to a ‘Rosary Afternoon of Music and Prayer’ on Saturday at Lumen Christi Church in Leopold, which was also livestreamed for those who couldn’t be there in person. Parishioner Rob Hennessey said the afternoon, which included hymns, Scripture, reflection and the Jubilee Prayer, provided an ‘opportunity to build on our own prayer experience and also take time out of our busy weekend days, to pray, reflect and be drawn closer to God.’ He was struck by how the event had drawn people closer to God. ‘Fiat enabled us to understand the example of Our Lady and her obedience to the will of God,’ he said.

Mentone–Parkdale Parish held 24 hours of Eucharistic adoration from Friday evening to Saturday evening, concluding with Benediction. Fr Justin Ford said it was ‘wonderful to see quite a lot of people coming, even through the hours of the night, and spending time with the Lord. People have been very appreciative of the opportunity.’ His hope is that ‘great graces are poured out through Fiat and our 24 hours of Eucharistic adoration—blessings for our parish, and for all those who’ve come. That’s always what happens when we generously open ourselves to the Lord in prayer.’

To me, it was very enriching. So I’m hoping that other people would’ve had the same experience.

The parish’s sacristan Marjorie was similarly encouraged by the response. ‘At first we thought, because it’s going through 24 hours, not everybody would come,’ she said, ‘but I stayed here for a few hours and we constantly had numbers—half a dozen to 10 people, all the time. Even though it was in half-an-hour sessions, people would stay for more than half an hour. To me, it was very enriching. So I’m hoping that other people would’ve had the same experience.’

On Friday night at Holy Spirit Parish in Ringwood North, parishioners participated in private prayer, meditation and devotions, including praying the Rosary and Stations of the Cross. Fr Arsenio Tuazon spoke on the significance of saying ‘yes’ to God’s will, echoing Mary’s Fiat. ‘We may not always understand the path God has laid before us. But by trusting in His love and wisdom, we can find the strength to say ‘yes’, to embrace our own Fiat, just like Mary.

At Holy Family Church in Sorrento, Fr Angelo Wijewickrama led an hour of prayer on Friday evening in front of the Blessed Sacrament, focusing particularly on the need for peace in our troubled world. ‘The hope of Fiat is that world leaders will be able to listen to God’s will in bringing peace and harmony into their respective countries,’ he said. ‘Also, in a special way, we prayed for the countries who are troubled with war and conflicts.’

Fiat 2025 was a powerful testament to the faith, devotion and unity of Melbourne’s Catholic community. As participants embraced Mary’s example, they were reminded of the transformative power of a sincere ‘yes’ to God’s call. The Jubilee theme of hope echoed through every prayer and reflection, a call to trust in God’s unending mercy and love.