Perpetual Pilgrims
Announcement Press Kit

Jaella is a third-year undergraduate student at the University of Georgia studying Human Development and Family Sciences with a focus in Child Life. Jaella desires to live a life that ensures people feel seen and called by name; her studies support this by educating her deeply about individuals and families across the lifespan. Jaella lives this mission as an intern with Extra Special People Inc. and as a Prayer Team Lead at the UGA Catholic Center. Along with this, Jaella is a Lay Member of Regnum Christi and a Core Team member of Mercy Missions Atlanta. In her free time, she enjoys running and reading books, but never at the same time! Jaella is excited beyond words to be a Perpetual Pilgrim walking the Serra Route, and prays that whomever is called to join the pilgrimage be assured of the Father’s gentle love and providence through Jesus in the Eucharist for not only this summer, but the rest of their lives.

‍“The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage is a privilege and opportunity that I am ecstatic to be a part of because it seeks to bring together countless facets of the Church - showcasing a glimpse of the diversity the Church holds. To see the Church be brought together in a universal way, yet intimate, is something that I look forward to - with Jesus in the Eucharist at the center of it all.”

Jack grew up in southern Wisconsin and is currently attending the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. He will graduate in May with a dual bachelor’s in Water Science and Environmental Science. He hopes to work in outdoor ministry after the pilgrimage, as he is passionate about fostering encounters with our Creator through time spent in creation. Jack applied to be a Perpetual Pilgrim because he is captivated by Jesus in the Eucharist and wants everyone to understand how great a gift we’re offered each day. In his spare time, Jack enjoys water sports in northern Wisconsin, exploring any public tract of land, and he is a part of the UNL Soil Judging Team.   

“I am honored to be a part of this incredible movement within the Church and our country! Interacting with such a variety of people along the route, who are all united in the Eucharistic supper, will be a beautiful experience. I hope to provide space for the Lord to work a powerful revival in Eucharistic faith for each person who encounters Jesus along the way!”

Kai is originally from Regensburg, Germany but moved to America in 2021.  He currently resides in Washington, DC, where he is a graduate student in theology at the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception and a researcher at the Thomistic Institute. He holds a Master's degree in Politics from Hillsdale College, where he focused on the political thought of St. Augustine and Pope Benedict XVI. He can't wait to spend two months with Jesus and to grow more in love with Him in the Eucharist. Having fallen in love with this country and its vibrant and young Catholic culture, he also hopes that the pilgrimage can draw this divided nation together in Christ's Eucharistic love. Kai loves to spend time outdoors, especially hiking in the Alps and the American West, and he is stubbornly working towards traveling to all 50 states (he is currently at 47!). Among his favorite saints are Pier Giorgio Frassati, Elizabeth of the Trinity, Charles de Foucauld, and, especially for this pilgrimage, Francis Xavier Seelos, a Bavarian who moved to the U.S. to introduce Americans to the Catholic faith and serve them.
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“This will be a once-in-a-life adventure! On one hand, I'm excited to participate in this pilgrimage because it will be a unique experience to approach Jesus in the Eucharist more closely. We will walk with Him all day every day for two straight months - when does that ever happen? On the other hand, I hope that Jesus can sanctify this land through the procession and bring this polarized country closer together once more.”

Matthew Heidenreich is a second-year student at the University of Alabama, studying mathematics. He currently serves as the director of Mathtastic, a tutoring program for middle schoolers in the Tuscaloosa community, and as the Vice President of Community Outreach for BamaCatholic. Originally from Ohio, Matthew loves being outdoors and exploring new places. He is thrilled to combine his passion for hiking and his love of sharing the faith as he begins his time as a Perpetual Pilgrim. Matthew is deeply grateful for the opportunity to follow intimately in the footsteps of the Eucharistic Lord and to watch as Jesus transforms the hearts of all those who join along the Marian Route this summer. 

‍“I am thrilled to be able to follow the example of the apostles and to follow in the footsteps of Jesus this summer. I know that Jesus will do so much in all of the incredible events, but I'm especially excited to hear His voice in the little, unexpected moments of walking or simply being in His Presence. I can't wait to meet Jesus in every conversation, every smile and laugh, every ache and pain, and every step of the way to Indianapolis.”

Zoe Dongas is a Filipino-American actor, musician, and game night enthusiast based in New York City. Originally from Nashville, TN, she holds a Bachelor's Degree in Music Theatre and a minor in International Studies from Oklahoma City University. Zoe aspires to grow closer to the person of Christ in the people she encounters and the stories she tells. Currently, she works in the Office of Young Adult Outreach of the Archdiocese of New York and is the Board Secretary of Catholic Artist Connection. She is honored to accompany our Lord across the country and looks forward to the many sacred and silly moments ahead.

“I am grateful and excited for the opportunity to embark on this journey with our Eucharistic Lord. I’m excited to meet all the people our Lord will encounter along the way, from the faithful of each diocese to the strangers crossing the street. I’m especially honored to get to spend so much time with our Lord on this pilgrimage and with my fellow pilgrims. What a gift it is to receive our Lord’s love and to be a part of sharing His love on this great adventure.”

Amayrani is originally from Acapulco, Guerrero Mexico and currently resides in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Amayrani recently finished her Nursing Degree at Montgomery County Community College and is a first-generation college graduate. Amayrani has worked in youth ministry for over 7 years at her local parish St. Patrick’s Church in Norristown, PA. Amayrani loves to hike and watch sports. She chose to be a Perpetual Pilgrim because she knows firsthand the power of encountering Christ in the Eucharist and wants to share the joy and healing that comes from a Eucharistic encounter with as many people as possible. The Perpetual Pilgrimage is also a great opportunity to grow deeper in love with Jesus and share in his love.

“I am incredibly excited to be a part of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage. My soul rejoices at the thought of walking side by side with Jesus for two whole months. As a pilgrim, I am most looking forward to being a witness to the power of the Eucharistic Lord in my life with others. Especially reaching out to the Spanish-speaking community in my home parish of Norristown, PA, but also along the Seton route.”

Shayla is a people person by nature. She comes from a large family with 7 brothers, 3 sister-in-laws, 14 nieces and nephews, and 2 loving parents. Shayla is originally from Minot, ND, and went to college at the University of Mary where she completed her degree in Communication. She currently resides in Denver, CO, where she works for the Catholic non-profit Christ in the City as their Community Engagement Manager. In her job, Shayla gets to connect many volunteers and families to serving the homeless in Denver’s community. Shayla chose to be a Perpetual Pilgrim to bear witness to Jesus in the world. She feels convicted to revive the hearts of Catholics to know and love the Eucharist. In her free time, you can find Shayla thrifting, skiing, hiking, or playing banjo. Whatever she is doing, she is most likely surrounded by the people she loves. 

“I am eager to be a Perpetual Pilgrim, as I have been set on fire by our Eucharistic Lord. This pilgrimage will be a witness to our age that Jesus is real, that He wants to know you personally, and that the Eucharist is truly the Body and Blood of Christ. I hope that this pilgrimage invites many participants to encounter Him on the way.”

Charlie joins the team from the Diocese of Austin. Charlie is a proud Texan and soon-to-be graduate of Texas A&M, but he will be quick to remind you that his identity begins and ends as an adopted son of God. Charlie’s dream day would consist of climbing a mountain, playing a game of cards at the top, and finishing off the evening around a campfire with a soft guitar in the background. During his freshman year of college, Charlie had a personal encounter with the Eucharist at Mass that began a relationship of deep love with Jesus Christ. Now, whether it is in the walls of his home or his mechanical engineering classes, Charlie can be found mentoring other men and inviting them to build their identity on being a son of God. Charlie accepted the role of Perpetual Pilgrim because he knows how deep a gaze from the Eucharist can change someone’s life, and he is overjoyed to witness this encounter time and time again across America.

“The opportunity to walk as a Perpetual Pilgrim during the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage is the greatest invitation I have ever received. I feel unworthy for such a unique role, yet I am overjoyed that Jesus Christ has invited me to come and follow Him across the United States. This pilgrimage will have a significant role in the history of the Catholic Church and our nation, and it is an honor to be able to participate along the entirety of the route.”