2024 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage Announces Schedule of Events and Invites Participation from the Faithful

Denver, CO, February 22, 2024 — Catholic communities across the country are invited to be part of the historic movement to set hearts ablaze along the four distinct routes that make up the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage.  Today, pilgrimage organizers released an updated map highlighting the special events that correspond to the cities and dioceses punctuating each leg of this unprecedented journey converging at the 10th National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, IN on July 16, 2024.  Anyone who wishes to travel with our Eucharistic Lord as a day pilgrim or celebrate our shared faith with the Perpetual Pilgrims at milestones along the way may register online. 

As Catholics all over the world commemorate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles on the Feast of Pentecost on May 18-19, the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, led by its four teams of Perpetual Pilgrims, will kick off with landmark events at the launch point of each route:

• The Serra Route will begin on May 19 with 11 am Mass at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in San Francisco, CA.  A Eucharistic procession led by Archbishop Cordileone will follow across the Golden Gate Bridge and end in the evening at St. Mary Star of the Sea in Sausalito.   
• The Marian Route kickoff Mass on May 19 will be presided over by Bishop Andrew Cozzens, Chair of the National Eucharistic Revival. It will take place outdoors at Lake Itasca Park in his home diocese of Crookston, MN along with six bishops from neighboring dioceses. 
• The Seton Route launches on May 18 with Pentecost Vigil at the tomb of Blessed Fr. Michael McGivney in New Haven, CT.  It will consist of an extended and grand liturgy with overnight Eucharistic adoration to follow.
• The Juan Diego Route will begin in the Diocese of Brownsville, TX, on May 19 with stops at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and the Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle, a shrine which receives more than one million pilgrims each year.   

“A cross-country pilgrimage of this scale has never been attempted before. 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,” said Tim Glemkowski, CEO of the National Eucharistic Congress, Inc. “It will be a tremendously powerful action of witness and intercession as it interacts with local parish communities at stops all along the way.  Following Jesus and praying through cities and rural towns is going to be life changing for the Church across America; I personally cannot wait to participate in this pilgrimage!”

Some of the highlights of the pilgrimage include a visit to Folsom Prison, Ellis Island, engagement on college campuses such as Benedictine College and the University of Notre Dame, and prayer and reflection at holy sites such as the Seton Shrine, the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament, and the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion.  Numerous service projects dot the schedule as well in cities such as Chicago and Lafayette (IN).

Each route of the pilgrimage will be led by a team of eight Perpetual Pilgrims, recently selected to accompany our Eucharistic Lord for the entire length of the journey.  Ecclesial support will be provided by a rotating cadre of 30 Franciscan Friars of the Renewal for each of the four routes with consistent chaplaincy by Fr. Roger Landry for the Seton Route.  The names of the Perpetual Pilgrims will be released on March 11.

All public events associated with the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage are free and invite the participation of the faithful from every corner of the country.  Day pilgrims may join lengths of the procession as able and can register with their local diocese by visiting 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).

Members of the media are invited to attend two virtual press conferences that focus solely on the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage.  These events will take place on February 29 and March 21.  For more information on how to register for these press conferences and to access a complete press kit, visit eucharisticpilgrimage.org/pilgrimage-event-registration-press-kit.

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