Image: supplied by chaplains at the retreat. Pictured are ADF Chaplains standing with Monsignor Peter O'Keefe, MO Bishop Stuart Hall and Guest Director Bishop Charles Gauci, from the Darwin Diocese.
The 2026 Military Ordinariate Retreat commenced this week at The Hermitage in Mittagong, NSW, bringing together Catholic chaplains from across the Australian Defence Force (ADF). This annual gathering serves as a critical period of spiritual renewal, fraternal support, and pastoral alignment for those ministering to Australia's service men and women.
This year’s retreat marks a significant milestone as it introduces a mandatory gathering for all full-time Catholic ADF chaplains while warmly welcoming part-time and reserve chaplains into the fold. The simple, rustic environment of The Hermitage provides a stark but peaceful contrast to the demanding environments where these chaplains usually serve.
A Critical Time for Spiritual Rest
Military chaplaincy is a unique, high-stakes ministry. ADF chaplains accompany military personnel through ordinary daily routines as well as extraordinary times of operational deployments, personal crises, and ethical dilemmas. Whether serving onboard Navy ships, in remote Army barracks, or at busy Air Force bases, chaplains bear a heavy burden of confidential advice, pastoral care, and emotional weight.
Stepping back from the daily workspace is essential. The retreat provides a rare window for the "spiritual frontline" to experience silent prayer, re-examine their own bonds with Christ, and receive the pastoral nourishment they consistently give to others.
Welcoming a New Shepherd
The 2026 retreat carries an atmosphere of new beginnings following the appointment of the Most Reverend Stuart Hall as the new Catholic Bishop of the Military Ordinariate of Australia. Consecrated in late August 2026, Bishop Hall brings 22 years of firsthand experience as a Navy chaplain and a former Director General of Navy Chaplaincy.
Bishop Hall has strongly advocated for a Church that "enters into the world" of Defence personnel, walking beside families, veterans, and active members through their hopes, fears, sacrifices, and successes. This retreat stands as his first major opportunity to look directly into the eyes of his chaplains collectively and chart the pastoral path forward.
Co-Direction from Darwin
Adding to the depth of this year's spiritual formation, the retreat is co-directed by Bishop Charles Gauci, the Bishop of Darwin. Known widely across the Australian Catholic Church for his deep commitment to evangelisation and his extensive background as a spiritual director and retreat leader, Bishop Gauci brings invaluable wisdom from his leadership in the Northern Territory. His presence reinforces the solidarity between local dioceses and the nomadic, far-reaching community of the Military Ordinariate.
Through shared liturgies, quiet reflection, and community building, the 2026 retreat ensures that as the ADF chaplains return to their respective bases and units, they do so with a renewed sense of vocation and an expanded brotherhood of support.
Standby in Prayer
When the 2026 retreat draws to a close, the overarching hope is that this sacred time in Mittagong provides a profound strengthening of spirit, deep personal renewal, and an enduring sense of fraternity for all who attended.
We ask the Catholic community to join in steadfast prayer for our Catholic ADF Chaplains. May they be granted the grace, resilience, and wisdom required to stand faithfully by our ADF members and their families—offering a constant beacon of Christ’s peace, comfort, and hope on the frontlines of service.
Written by CMOA Media Team