When Leading A Pilgrimage Becomes a Calling: Simon and Julie's Story

At the time we first connected with Simon and Julie, Saintly Travel hadn’t even begun. They always carried a deep connection with Medjugorje, but for years they could never quite find the right group or the right time to go.

They live in Adelaide and we’re in Sydney, but it was through MaryTV’s Fruits of Medjugorje series that Simon first came across our conversion stories. He writes the monthly newsletter for MaryTV and managed to track down our email address. Not long after, work brought him to Sydney, and we arranged to meet for dinner.

That dinner changed everything.

The conversation quickly shifted from sharing stories to the bigger question of how Simon and his family might finally get to Medjugorje. We knew how much they longed to go. We also knew how important it was to experience Medjugorje not as tourists, but as pilgrims. Being part of a group guided by someone who knows the rich history, sites and can convey the deep spirituality there. Also, ensuring there is a chaplain to provide pastoral support for the group. David and I had already felt in our hearts the desire to help others experience Medjugorje the way we had, so helping Simon and his family seemed almost providential.

What started as a simple effort to help them grew into the very first Saintly Travel pilgrimage.

Simon, Julie, and their boys came with us on that first journey, and Simon was instrumental in helping us bring it all together. From the very beginning, they weren’t just pilgrims, they became part of the story of Saintly Travel itself.

About a year ago, we caught up with Simon over dinner and shared our hope that he and Julie might one day lead a pilgrimage. Not long after, they prayerfully said yes!

Why They'll Be Perfect Pilgrimage Leaders

For Simon and Julie, keeping Christ at the centre and entrusting themselves to Our Lady has shaped their marriage, their family, and their faith in the most beautiful way. With steady trust and openness to God’s call, they are wonderfully placed to lead others on pilgrimage. Here’s a little about their journey of faith together:

Raised in a Devout Catholic Home: Julie and Simon were raised in strong Catholic families where devotion to Mary and daily rosary prayer were central, and stories of apparitions like Fatima were a natural part of their faith formation. Especially influential was Julie’s maternal grandmother, who loved Our Lady of Fatima and made her own daily pilgrimage to the statue of Our Lady behind their parish church, praying the rosary.

Early Fascination with Apparitions: As a child, Julie was captivated by the story of Our Lady’s apparitions in Medjugorje, especially a video documentary, brought home by a family member, which featured the song “Medjugorje, the Place of Miracles.” Even from a young age she was drawn to Our Lady’s messages and longed to hear what she had to say. Simon grew up regularly praying the rosary with his family, often hearing about Medjugorje, and always knew it was a special place where Our Lady was appearing and hoped one day to visit.

How Simon and Julie Met: In their early 20s, Julie and Simon met at Sunday Mass in the Cathedral. Simon was serving as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion at that Mass, and their connection was immediate and in a special way through the Eucharist, Jesus had introduced them to each other.

Christ at the Centre of Marriage: From the beginning, their relationship was rooted in faith, with Jesus and Mary at the heart of their joys and sustaining them in their struggles.

Their Children: Julie and Simon have three sons, Michael, Ben, and Alex.

Return to Medjugorje: In 2022, a friend reintroduced Julie to Our Lady of Medjugorje, Our Lady Queen of Peace, by gifting her the book My Heart Will Triumph by Mirjana. Julie began reading it on March 18 (an important date in the book) without realising its significance until later. Reading it profoundly moved both Julie and Simon, renewing their prayer lives in a deeply personal way and strengthening their devotion to Our Blessed Mother.

Join Us in July 2026

We are so blessed to have Simon and Julie lead our next pilgrimage. For us, it feels less like adding leaders and more like continuing the journey with family who have been part of Saintly Travel all along.

If you’ve been waiting for the right time and the right people to travel with, this is it. Join Simon and Julie in July 2026 for an unforgettable pilgrimage. Places are limited, so if your heart is stirring, now is the time to say yes.