CV NEWS FEED // The 2024 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage will begin this weekend, on the Feast of Pentecost, as Catholics at each of the Pilgrimage’s four launching sites prepare to host major events to celebrate the historic journey.
According to an emailed news release from the NEP, the Pilgrimage “is positioned to embark on a two-month journey tracing the sign of the cross over the nation on its way toward the 10th National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, IN on July 16, 2024.”
“A cross-country pilgrimage of this scale has never been attempted before,” Tim Glemkowski, CEO of the National Eucharistic Congress, stated in the news release.
“All told, it will travel through 27 states and 65 dioceses, covering a combined distance of 6,500 miles on foot and with the help of support vehicles,” he continued. “It will be a tremendously powerful action of witness and intercession as it interacts with local parish communities at stops all along the way.”
A group of Perpetual Pilgrims will accompany Jesus in the Eucharist throughout the entire journey on each route.
From their respective starting points, the Pilgrims have been preparing events for this weekend for local Catholics to attend and celebrate the Pilgrimage’s start.
The launching sites hosting the celebratory events are New Haven, Connecticut; Crookston, Minnesota; San Francisco, California; and Brownsville, Texas.
The eastern St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Route will begin at New Haven’s St. Mary’s Church, which houses the tomb of Blessed Fr. Michael McGivney.
On May 18, pilgrims can go to St. Mary’s for the Pentecost Vigil, which “will consist of an extended and grand liturgy with overnight Eucharistic adoration to follow,” according to the news release.
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The northern Marian Route will begin on May 19 in Crookston, Minnesota, with an outdoor Mass at Lake Itasca Park, celebrated by Bishop Andrew Cozzens, Chair of the National Eucharistic Revival. Six bishops from other dioceses in Minnesota will concelebrate the Mass with him.
The Mass “follows a two-day local Eucharistic Congress with presentations from Bishop Robert Barron of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester and Fr. Mike Schmitz of Duluth among others,” the news release notes.
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The western St. Junipero Serra Route will begin in San Francisco, California, at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption with Mass at 11 a.m. May 19.
After the Mass, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone will lead a Eucharistic procession across the Golden Gate Bridge.
The southern Juan Diego Route will also begin on May 19 in Brownsville, Texas. The pilgrimage will stop at both the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and the Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle.
The news release noted that all events that are part of the NEC are free and open to the public. Families, groups, and individuals who would like to participate in local processions can learn more and register at eucharisticpilgrimage.org.
“Those individuals not serving as Perpetual Pilgrims must make their own arrangements for meals as well as transportation and overnight accommodations (if needed),” the news release noted.
Bishop Cozzens stated in the news release that the Pilgrimage is an opportunity for Catholics to accompany Jesus in the Eucharist and celebrate the Catholic faith in a historic way.
“The Lord invented the pilgrimage on his way to Jerusalem, and we received the gift of the encounter with the Lord of the Eucharist,” he said. “Through the many uplifting events along the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage and this monumental moment in the Church, I hope people come out to be part of this and experience the joy and gift of our Catholic faith.”
