How to Join the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage
America is about to undertake the longest Eucharistic procession in history as a part of the National Eucharistic Revival. Here’s a snapshot of what will happen along the way and how you can be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime journey!
What Will the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage Be Like?
Two dozen young adults have stepped up to be what we call Perpetual Pilgrims. This means they will carry Jesus over 6,000 miles from the North, South, East, and West edges of our country all the way to Indianapolis, marking our nation with the Sign of the Cross.
Anyone who meets up with the Pilgrimage along one of the four routes is considered to be part of the greater Eucharistic Caravan and will have the opportunity for a plenary indulgence. Every Catholic in America is invited and encouraged to be a part of the Pilgrimage in this way! The Eucharistic Caravan does NOT travel long distances. Rather, they meet up with Jesus along his journey for events, sometimes walking with him for short distances.
Catholics 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—will also be granted a plenary indulgence.
If you do not live near one of the four routes, you are welcome to plan your own pilgrimage in solidarity.
The Four Routes of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage
Each arm of the Pilgrimage is named after a saint who is connected to that region. The communities that live along these routes plan to welcome Jesus in many different ways as he passes by, infusing the celebration with their local flavor.
Let’s look at some of the highlights of each of the Pilgrimage routes.
The Marian Route (North)
The northern arm of the Pilgrimage will depart from Minnesota at the headwaters of the Mississippi and cross the midwestern United States, passing through Wisconsin, Illinois, and Indiana. This route is named for its stop at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion—the first and only approved Marian apparition site in the United States. Here are a few of the other events planned along the way:
- Locals are invited to join the Perpetual Pilgrims for a 12-mile Eucharistic procession along Paul Bunyan State Trail, worshiping the Lord in the midst of the beauty of his creation.
- Multiple communities along the route are planning to welcome Jesus with joyful Eucharistic rallies.
- The Eucharistic Caravan will pass through several major cities, including Minneapolis, Milwaukee, and Chicago.
- The McGrath Institute for Church Life at Notre Dame is hosting a panel that will bring many renowned theology professors together for an in-depth discussion on the gift of Jesus in the Eucharist and the intimacy Our Lord desires with each one of us.
If you live along this route, please register for one or more of these amazing opportunities to be a part of this historic Pilgrimage!
The St. Juan Diego Route (South)
The southern route of the Pilgrimage will begin at the tip of Texas in Brownsville, wind around the Gulf of Mexico, and then pass through Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and Kentucky before reaching its destination in Indiana. Here are a few of the highlights along this route:
- We will process with Christ in the Eucharist through the French Quarter, publicly celebrating our Eucharistic faith in this historic neighborhood.
- The Diocese of Biloxi will process with Jesus to the shore of the Gulf of Mexico for a blessing of the sea.
- The Pilgrimage will meet up with the Missionaries of Charity near Atlanta for an Archdiocesan Day of Eucharistic Service.
Click here to view an interactive map of everything we have planned along the St. Juan Diego Route and RSVP for the events you will attend.
The St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Route (East)
The eastern arm of the Pilgrimage will begin near the Atlantic coast in New Haven, Connecticut—passing through New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Ohio before reaching its destination in Indianapolis, Indiana. Here are a few of the events planned along the way:
- Pilgrims will venerate the tombs of Bl. Michael McGivney, St. John Neumann, and St. Katherine Drexel.
- We will process publicly with the Blessed Sacrament through Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Washington D.C., including a stop at The Catholic University of America.
- Locals will receive blessings on the banks of the Ohio River as Jesus is carried in a Eucharistic sternwheeler and “boat-er-cade” procession.
If you live within driving distance of the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Route, click here to see the full schedule of events and RSVP to meet Jesus on his journey!
The St. Junipero Serra Route (West)
The western arm of the Pilgrimage will depart from our Pacific coast, crossing California, Nevada, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, and Illinois before reaching the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, Indiana. Take a look at a few of the events planned along this route:
- We will process across the Golden Gate Bridge with Jesus in the Eucharist.
- Theology professors from the Augustine Institute will lead a panel discussion on the gift of the Eucharist. The Pilgrimage will also make a stop at Benedictine College.
- This Pilgrimage will visit the burial site of Venerable Fr. Augustine Tolton and stop at the National Shrine of Our Lady of the Snows.
Register for these and many more Eucharistic events along the St. Junipero Serra Route here.
What Will Happen at the End of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage?
On Wednesday, July 17th, all four branches of the Pilgrimage will have converged in a powerful symbol of unity that will mark both the end of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage and the beginning of the 10th National Eucharistic Congress!
Catholics from every corner of the nation will gather in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis to welcome Jesus at the end of his cross-country journey and worship him in a way the United States hasn’t seen in 83 years. The Congress is yet another opportunity to receive a plenary indulgence. Register today to be a part of this historic moment.
