Former Bendigo YCW chaplain, Mgr Frank Marriott died on Sunday 23 November 2025, Feast of Christ the King, and feast day of YCW pioneer, Blessed Miguel Pro.
A Facebook post from Sacred Heart Cathedral announced his death this morning:
On this great Solemnity of Christ the King, as the 11am Mass in the Cathedral was ending and the bells were ringing about 12.15pm, our beloved Monsignor Frank Marriott entered into eternity. Monsignor Frank Marriott was a former Administrator of the Cathedral Cluster. He also served as Administrator of our Diocese. He was a giant of our Diocese and the national Church in Australia. He served as a priest for 63 years. A special Requiem Mass in memory of his life and anticipation of his funeral will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Cathedral on Tuesday, November 25, at 6pm. The bells of the Cathedral will ring in his honour at 7.30pm tonight.
In another post, Ian Green recalled his contribution to interfaith dialogue:
Frank was a great advocate of interfaith action and was the founding Chair of Bendigo Interfaith Council. Frank dedicated his life to making a difference.
Henry Febriyanto also highlighted Mgr Frank’s contribution in this field:
His tireless work as the founding Chair of Bendigo Interfaith Council and his dedication to interfaith action have made a lasting impact on our community. May his legacy of kindness, compassion, and service inspire us to continue working towards a more harmonious and inclusive society. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and the parish community during this difficult time.
May he rest in peace.” 
Cardijn Community International coordinator, Ruben Joseph said that Mgr Frank’s death was “agreat loss to all of us.”
“He was a genuine Cardijn warrior. A wonderful man who inspired many to follow the Cardijn way! May his soul rest in peace!”
Mgr Frank tells some of his life story in this video:*
In 2021, he officially launched the Joseph Cardijn Digital Library with this talk:
Fr Brian Boyle, vicar-general of the Sandhurst Diocese has issued this statement recalling Mgr Frank’s acknowledgment of the formative influence of the YCW.
“The YCW was the greatest learning experience of my life. YCW taught me that people, all people, are capable of doing great things for the Church and Society.”
Australian Cardijn Institute secretary Stefan Gigacz paid tribute to Mgr Frank.
“I first met Frank when he was still diocesan YCW chaplain in Sandhurst (Bendigo) in about 1976.
“He was always an incredibly dynamic priest, who kept the faith in the YCW, even when others faded away.
“He was a supporter of the Cardijn Community International (CCI) from the very beginning, attending our very first major international event, a conference in Bangkok in 2002 to mark the 40th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council, which was also a major influence on his life and priesthood.
“In Australia, he helped launch the Cardijn Community in his own diocese.
“In 2016, he took part in the CCI conference and General Assembly in Chennai, India.
“On a personal level, he was always an unfailing support to me.
“All of us who knew him will miss him even as we give thanks for his life and legacy.”
Catholic Education Sandhurst Ltd paid this tribute:
We mourn the loss of a person who had a profound impact on Catholic education in the Sandhurst Diocese.
Throughout his life, Monsignor Frank Marriott had a positive influence on the people he met and the places he served. Quite simply, there will never be another Monsignor Frank Marriott.
Over his 63 years as a priest, he devoted countless hours to his ministry and made deep connections with those he met. Whether celebrating Mass, leading communities, mentoring young people, or championing the importance education; his impact was enormous.
We offer our most sincere condolences to Frank’s family, friends and brother priests. We give thanks for the gift his life has been to us all and for the legacy of compassion, faith and service he leaves behind. May our hearts carry forward his spirit in the days ahead.
Rest in peace Mons Frank – and thank you.We mourn the loss of a person who had a profound impact on Catholic education in the Sandhurst Diocese.
Throughout his life, Monsignor Frank Marriott had a positive influence on the people he met and the places he served. Quite simply, there will never be another Monsignor Frank Marriott.
Over his 63 years as a priest, he devoted countless hours to his ministry and made deep connections with those he met. Whether celebrating Mass, leading communities, mentoring young people, or championing the importance education; his impact was enormous.
We offer our most sincere condolences to Frank’s family, friends and brother priests. We give thanks for the gift his life has been to us all and for the legacy of compassion, faith and service he leaves behind. May our hearts carry forward his spirit in the days ahead.
Rest in peace Mons Frank – and thank you.
From Catherine McAuley College:
We are mourning the loss of Monsignor Frank Marriott who died peacefully yesterday, Sunday 23 November.
Monsignor Marriott was a former student of St Mary’s (Class of 1954) where he attended the primary school until Grade 3 (1942 to 1945), then Marist Brothers’ College from 1946 to 1947.
Monsignor Frank was a loved and respected member of our College community. He was generous with his time and support, regularly celebrating Masses with us and visiting to talk with students and staff. Everyone associated with Mons Frank will have a personal story. He was a great mentor and friend to countless people across the Diocese, both Catholic and non-Catholic. We keep him in our prayers.
He faithfully served the Sandhurst Diocese for 63 years, and in 2022 his lifetime of service to the Catholic Church was recognised with the Medal of the Order of Australia. His commitment to both the local and Catholic communities was immense.
Kyabram Catholic Parish recently recalled the 2005 visit to Sandhurst Diocese of Augustinian Prior General, Fr Robert Prevost, the future Pope Leo XIV
As Fr Dave Austin recalls, “we met Fr Frank Marriott in the presbytery afterwards. We then drove to Rochester and had a look at the church, particularly the stained glass windows of Augustinian saints, then drove on to Kyabram”.
While administrator of the Sandhurst Diocese, he also met Pope Benedict XV in private audience at the Vatican.
Funeral details
Pontifical Concelebrated Funeral Mass for the repose of the soul of the late Monsignor Francis Kelly ‘Frank’ MARRIOTT P.A., P.E., O.A.M. will be held at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Wattle Street, Bendigo on WEDNESDAY (December 3rd, 2025) commencing at 1.00pm.
The Funeral cortege will leave at the conclusion of Mass for the Bendigo Monumental Cemetery for the Interment (enter via main gate Carpenter Street).
Vigil Prayers will be held at St. Kilian’s Church, 161 McCrae Street, Bendigo on TUESDAY EVENING (December 2nd, 2025) commencing at 7pm.
To View the Funeral Mass via Live Streaming go to https://bendigofunerals.com.au/streaming/