Blazing a Trail: Into the Heart of Our Nation

With less than two weeks until the National Eucharistic Congress, Jesus is making his way steadily into the heart of our nation. By the end of this week, three of the four routes will be traveling into Indiana! Take a look at where Our Eucharistic Lord is sparking revival in the Midwestern states:

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Marian Route

The northern arm of the Pilgrimage is passing through most of the major dioceses in Indiana this week. Our Lord leaves the Diocese of Gary today, travels through the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, and enters the Diocese of Lafayette in Indiana. Check out some of the upcoming highlights:

• Hundreds are registered to attend the testimony of Mia Tiwana, a convert from Islam to Catholicism, followed by praise and worship, adoration, and a Eucharistic procession to the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at Notre Dame.
• The Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend will celebrate Mass in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart main church and in the Crypt Chapel in the basement of the Basilica at the University of Notre Dame, as well as process with Jesus in the Eucharist around campus.
• The McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame will sponsor the two performances of “Behold God’s Love: A Eucharistic Musical”—a musical written in honor of the National Eucharistic Revival.
• The Diocese of Lafayette will welcome the Pilgrimage with a bilingual rally and a reflection from Bishop Timothy Doherty.
• In the same way that King David danced as the Ark of the Covenant entered Jerusalem, a group of Guatemalan dancers will perform a traditional dance to welcome the arrival of the Eucharist into Logansport, Indiana.
• The Pilgrimage will process with Jesus in the Eucharist across the diocese, giving blessings over people from several parts of society: clergy and seminarians; migrants; people who work in industry, science, and technology; educators and catechists; health care workers; and all religious in the diocese.

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St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Route

In the east, the pilgrims are accompanying Jesus across the Ohio–Indiana state line. They will travel from the Archdiocese of Cincinnati into the eastern side of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis this week. Here are some moments to look forward to along the way:

• The Eastside Family of Parishes will host a Eucharistic evening entitled “Food for the Journey,” including a holy hour, reflections from the Perpetual Pilgrims, a potluck cookout, and a Eucharistic procession between the churches.
• Archbishop Dennis Schnurr will celebrate Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains and lead a Eucharistic procession through downtown Cincinnati to Fountain Square.
• The Archdiocese of Cincinnati will host a “Jesus Is Here” Eucharistic festival in Fountain Square, which will include adoration, praise and worship music, a Eucharistic reflection, confession, a concert featuring Jervis Campbell, games, food trucks, and more!
• Pilgrims will participate in a bilingual holy hour, followed by a cookout with food provided by the Knights of Columbus and music by the local Hispanic community.
• The Archdiocese of Indianapolis will host the Seton Route for multiple Eucharistic Encounter nights across the archdiocese, including activities such as the celebration of Mass, dinner, talks, ice cream socials, and nocturnal Eucharistic adoration.

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St. Juan Diego Route

The southern route of the Pilgrimage will officially transition into the Midwest this week. Pilgrims will accompany Jesus through more of the Archdiocese of Louisville before entering the southernmost edge of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. Take a peek at the highlights along the way:

• The Pilgrimage will walk with the Archdiocese of Louisville in a 7-mile procession, carrying the Blessed Sacrament from the Abbey of Gethsemani to Holy Cross Church.
• The Archdiocese of Louisville will celebrate Mass at the Basilica of St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral, followed by a short Eucharistic procession.
• Fr. Leo Patalinghug will give a talk before a potluck dinner and reception in the Archdiocese of Louisville.
• Archbishop Shelton Fabre will celebrate Mass at the Cathedral of the Assumption for the Memorial of St. Augustine Zhao-Rong.
• The Archdiocese of Indianapolis will host the Juan Diego Route for multiple Eucharistic Encounter nights across the archdiocese.
• The Pilgrimage will process with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament for a total of 14.3 miles through the southern portion of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.

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St. Junipero Serra Route

The western route of the Pilgrimage will conclude its time in the Diocese of Jefferson City and pass through the Archdiocese of St. Louis before traveling into Illinois, bringing Jesus to the Diocese of Belleville and the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois. Here are some of the upcoming events:

• Bishop Shawn McKnight will celebrate Mass at the Cathedral of St. Joseph in the Diocese of Jefferson City, followed by a procession with Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament to the Proto-Cathedral of St. Peter.
• Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski of the Archdiocese of St. Louis will celebrate Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, followed by a 5.5-mile Eucharistic procession across the city.
• The Pilgrimage will visit the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows in the Diocese of Belleville for Mass celebrated in Spanish, “Emmaus Days” family activities, Eucharistic processions, a reflection from Bishop McGovern, and adoration with Scripture readings, music, and talks.
• Bishop Michael McGovern will celebrate Mass and lead a Eucharistic procession at the Cathedral of St. Peter in the Diocese of Belleville.
• Bishop McGovern will hand off Jesus in the monstrance to Bishop Thomas John Paprocki, who will lead a Eucharistic procession into the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois.
• The Diocese of Springfield in Illinois will process with Our Lord to the burial site of Venerable Fr. Augustine Tolton—the first Black American ordained as a Catholic priest in the United States.
• Bishop Thomas John Paprocki will celebrate Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and lead a Eucharistic procession through Springfield.

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As the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage makes its way through some of the last few dioceses on its path to Indianapolis, we invite you to continue praying for those Jesus is traveling to meet along the way.

But he’s not done yet! Check out our interactive map to RSVP to the events nearest you and click here to share your prayer intentions. Visit the Pilgrim’s Digest next Friday to see how Our Lord will spark revival in the last few days before we reconsecrate our Church to the Blessed Sacrament at the National Eucharistic Congress!