Blazing a Trail: The Final Leg of the Journey

With the National Eucharistic Congress beginning next week, the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage is nearing the end of its historic journey. See the last few stops on each of the routes before they arrive in Indianapolis!

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Marian Route

The Marian Route of the Pilgrimage will spend more time in the Diocese of Lafayette in Indiana before transitioning to the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. Check out some of the highlights of the final week on this route:

• In the Diocese of Lafayette in Indiana, pilgrims will help fill hundreds of backpacks with school supplies for children in need as part of the “Tools for School” annual service project.
• St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church will host the Pilgrimage at its annual Italian Festival with food and activities to celebrate Italian culture and the local Catholic community. Perpetual Pilgrims will also share their testimonies at the festival.
• Bishop Timothy Doherty will celebrate a bilingual Mass at St. Maria Goretti Church, followed by a Eucharistic procession and concluding prayer before the Pilgrimage leaves for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.
• A 4.5-mile Eucharistic procession through northern Indianapolis will conclude with a potluck dinner at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church.
• The final Eucharistic procession on the Marian Route will travel for 3 miles from Holy Angels Catholic Church to St. John the Evangelist for a closing Mass with Archbishop Thompson and the other three routes of the Pilgrimage.

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St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Route

The Seton Route will continue its time in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis before meeting up with the other three routes of the Pilgrimage. See what the Seton pilgrims will be doing this week:

• St. Michael’s Catholic Church will host a dinner and Holy Hour with a reflection from Fr. Roger Landry, chaplain of the entire Seton Route of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage.
• Eucharistic Encounter nights will be held at multiple parishes in the diocese, featuring prayer and fellowship with the Perpetual Pilgrims.
• The final Eucharistic procession on the Seton Route travels from St. Phillip Neri Catholic Church to St. John the Evangelist to meet the other routes for the closing Mass of the Pilgrimage.

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St. Juan Diego Route

Pilgrims on the Juan Diego Route are accompanying Our Lord to events across the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. Here are some of the upcoming highlights from this final leg of the journey:

• St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church will host an evening of celebration including dinner, singing and dancing from the Myanmar community, and testimonies and a Q&A with the Perpetual Pilgrims.
• Good Shepherd Catholic Church will host a couple of Eucharistic Encounter nights with testimonies from the Perpetual Pilgrims.
• The final Eucharistic procession of this route will travel from Good Shepherd Catholic Church to St. John the Evangelist for the closing Pilgrimage Mass with the other three routes.

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St. Junipero Serra Route

The Serra Route enters the Archdiocese of Indianapolis today! Before the Congress begins, pilgrims are attending more Masses, processions, and special events at local parishes. Check out where they’re headed next:

• The Serra Route will begin its time in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis with adoration at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, followed by a procession to St. Joseph University Parish, which will host Evening Vespers, Mass, a potluck dinner, and adoration.
• St. Susanna Catholic Church will host Eucharistic adoration and a cookout. The day after, there will be Mass and a procession around the grounds of St. Susanna.
• A 4-mile Eucharistic procession will take place on the west side of Indianapolis, ending at St. Joseph Catholic Church for lunch, fellowship, and a time of prayer.
• St. Anthony Catholic Church will host a bilingual adoration event in English and Spanish. The following day, the Serra Route will make its final Eucharistic procession, starting at St. Anthony and ending at St. John the Evangelist for the closing Mass of the Pilgrimage.

Hundreds are registered to attend the final closing Mass of the Pilgrimage, celebrated by Archbishop Charles Thompson at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in downtown Indianapolis the day before the National Eucharistic Congress begins. What a perfect way to conclude a historic journey… and to kick off a historic moment for the Church in the U.S.

Thank you for praying for the pilgrims and for everyone who’s been involved with (or touched by) the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage! If you’ve been keeping up with the Pilgrims’ Digest blog, then you’ve read some of the incredible stories of how people from across our nation—all ages, stages, and walks of life—have encountered Jesus’ love for them in the Eucharist. And the fruits of these encounters will ripple into eternity.

Please pray for the 10th National Eucharistic Congress, and stay tuned to learn more about the upcoming third and final year of the National Eucharistic Revival—the Year of Mission!

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NOTE: All are welcome to register for the final closing Mass of the Pilgrimage! Yet because of capacity constraints, this is a free but ticketed event. You will need to present your registration confirmation at the event in order to attend. Register here.

Header image courtesy of the Diocese of Gary