Dubbed our “National Emmaus Moment,” the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage set off from four different locations in the U.S. Pilgrimage routes originated in key cities within each of the four primary compass points (North, South, East and West), with all four routes converging on Indianapolis, Indiana, Tuesday, July 16, 2024 – just in time for the kickoff of the 10th National Eucharistic Congress, which runs July 17 through 21.
This massive undertaking – the first of its kind in the U.S. – will find more than 100,000 people involved in a major national journey to Jesus… with Jesus. However, not everyone will walk an entire route. A core group of 23 “perpetual pilgrims” is making the entire journey, accompanying the Eucharistic Jesus in processions along rural roads and highways, on a trek halfway across the country.
In all, this two-month pilgrimage will cover some 6,500 miles, with a thousand hosts in cities across 26 U.S. states.
The Four Pilgrimage Routes The Marian (North) Route began at the Mississippi Headwaters in Lake Itasca, Minnesota. Six perpetual pilgrims on this leg will traverse four Midwest states, passing through Wisconsin and Illinois, before meeting up with the other three routes in Indianapolis. To read more about this route, click here.
The St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (East) Route began in New Haven, Connecticut (at the home parish of Bl. Fr. Michael McGivney, founder of the Knights of Columbus). Five perpetual pilgrims walking this route will makes their way through the Diocese of Baltimore (the nation’s oldest Catholic diocese) and process through seven states and the Appalachians before arriving in Indianapolis. Learn more about this route here.
The St. Junipero Serra (West) Route started in San Francisco, California. Six perpetual pilgrims on this route will cross the Rocky Mountains and the Great Plains. The most arduous and, by far, longest of the four pilgrimage routes, it covers ten states and an astonishing 2,200 miles before concluding in Indianapolis. Read about this route here.
The St. Juan Diego (South) Route originated in Brownsville, Texas. Six perpetual pilgrims will wend their way around the Gulf of Mexico and pass through eight states in the Southeast (including a daylong stop in the Diocese of Knoxville – in Chattanooga, Tennessee, on Monday, June 24), en route to Indianapolis. Read more about this route here.
Several special events are planned for the Chattanooga stop (all times listed are in Easter Daylight Time). First is a 10:15 a.m. tour of the Basilica of SS. Peter and Paul (214 E 8th St.), led by Fr. David Carter, its pastor and rector. Holy Hour and Morning Prayer will begin at 11, followed by Mass at 12 noon. The Eucharistic procession will start at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga Newman Center (514 Palmetto St.) at 7:30 p.m., to the basilica, and returning to the UTC Newman Center for Benediction. Music and fellowship will follow until 10 p.m. For details and to register for events in Chattanooga, click here.
The National Eucharistic Caravan According to the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage website, every Catholic who meets up with, or participates in, some leg of a pilgrimage is considered part of what they call the Eucharistic Caravan. As such, they will be eligible for a plenary indulgence. The usual conditions (Reconciliation, receipt of Holy Communion and prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father) apply.
If you are unable to participate in the Eucharistic Caravan due to age, infirmity or limited mobility, you won’t be left out. According to the website, “[The plenary indulgence] will also be granted to the elderly, infirm, and all those who cannot leave their homes for a serious reason and who participate in spirit with the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, uniting their prayers, pains, or inconveniences with Christ and the pilgrimage.
Parts of the Whole The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage and the National Eucharistic Congress are held in conjunction with the observance of the three-year National Eucharistic Revival. It began June 19, 2022, on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) and continues through 2025.
The first year – June 19, 2022 through June 11, 2023 – focused on Diocesan Revival. During this period, bishops, priests and diocesan staff were invited to respond to Jesus’ personal invitation to Revival, and to plan ways so share His love with their congregants. Some dioceses leapt right into a variety of Eucharistic outreaches and events, the inaugural year was intended as a time of prayer and fasting, and inviting the Lord to stir revival in His Church.
The second year – June 11, 2023 through July 17, 2024 – is focused on the faithful in the pews. The focus of this year is fostering parish-level Eucharistic devotions, including celebration of the Mass, preaching, Eucharistic adoration, resources, missions and various other organic movements of the Holy Spirit within parishes.
Year Two wraps up with the beginning of the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, Indiana, July 17 through 21, 2024. Catholics from all over the United States will gather in Indianapolis to reconsecrate themselves to the Eucharist. The end of the Congress coincides with the start of Year Three.
Year three – July 21, 2024 through June 8, 2025 (Pentecost) – is the Year of Sending Forth. After enkindling missionary fires in the hearts of the American faithful, the Holy Spirit will send us forth on the mission to share the wondrous gift of our Eucharistic Lord in the Church’s jubilee year in 2025.
Four key pillars comprise and support the National Eucharistic Revival. These are:
Reinvigorate worship
Create moments of personal encounter
Engage in robust formation
Send Catholics forth as missionaries.
At the parish level, priests are called to kindle a flame of renewed faith among their parishioners through reviving and energizing interest in sacramental worship – the Mass. Then they invite the faithful to more fully participate in Mass and in the sacraments of Eucharist and Reconciliation. Encouraging ongoing faith formation is the third pillar. An informed and educated parishioner becomes a more engaged parishioner. The fourth step is for parishioners to be so enkindled with their love for the Risen Christ they feel compelled to share that love with others.
For additional information about the National Eucharistic Revival, click here.