They were armed with musical instruments and smiles and swept up local parishioners in their music and dance.

During the mass, which was interpreted by a priest travelling with them, they heard the story of Mary MacKillop, the first Australian candidate for sainthood in the Roman Catholic Church.

Mary MacKillop’s connection to Eden was formed in March 1856, when her mother Flora perished during the Lyee-Moon shipwreck at Green Cape near Eden.

When Flora's body was recovered it was entirely unscathed.

Mary founded St Joseph's School and promised that there would always be a Josephite nun to serve the Eden parish.

Today, that role is fulfilled by Sister Rosemary Hart.

The pilgrims arrived the night before on two buses which swept into town from Melbourne at about 8.30am on Thursday night.

They had a late dinner at the Great Southern Inn before sleeping at various accommodation houses.

At the Great Southern Inn the following morning the pilgrims, who make breakfast their biggest meal of the day, were introduced to cereal and milk and fruit.

The group were in Merimbula on Thursday afternoon.