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The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage is drawing crowds at every stop on its country-wide procession towards Indianapolis for the 10th National Eucharistic Congress, this July.
The pilgrimage is moving in four routes that will trace a cross over the United States, creating so many opportunities for Catholics all over the nation to take part in the festivities.
On June 16, the Northern route of the pilgrimage moved through Green Bay, Wisconsin, where it made a stop at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion. This shrine is the site of the first and only approved Marian apparition in the United States, where Our Lady appeared to Belgian immigrant Adele Brise, in the 19th century. Brise, whose cause for canonization is currently being considered, is also buried on the grounds of the National Shrine.
Catholics descended upon the shrine in droves, with a press release reporting around 2,000 in attendance, while a local NBC affiliate estimates some 3,000.
This enormous crowd formed a quarter-mile long procession, following the Eucharist to the shrine. While the pilgrimage was in the Northern Midwest, folks turned out from all over the country, including: Virginia, Minnesota, Michigan, California, Texas, New York, Illinois, and more.
The Mass was celebrated by Bishop David Ricken, of the Diocese of Green Bay, joined by area priests and members of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage.
While the crowds amass at the big stops of the pilgrimage, the majority of the trek will be completed by smaller groups of “perpetual pilgrims.” On the Northern route, there are 32 members who will walk the entire way from Minnesota to Indianapolis, and among them was Matthew Heidenreich.
Heidenreich called the pilgrimage “the experience of a lifetime,” and told We Are Green Bay that meeting all the cheerful faithful who come out to join the pilgrimage is the most rewarding part of the journey:
“I’ve been overwhelmed by the faith of the people, just how many people are still invested in the Catholic faith.” Heidenreich added, “I’m just so grateful for everyone in Green Bay, especially for Bishop Ricken and all the shrine staff for welcoming us and for their hospitality. Midwest hospitality is kind of the best.”
