National Eucharistic Pilgrimage passes the halfway point

The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage is getting closer to Indianapolis, where pilgrims will end their long journey at the National Eucharistic Congress from July 17-21. With only about a month left on their cross-country processions, all four routes of the pilgrimage are about halfway to the finish line. 

Each week, organizers of the National Eucharistic Revival have been sharing interviews with representatives from each route’s “perpetual pilgrims.” These are the folks who have pledged to walk the entire pilgrimage and have been participating in processions, service projects, prayer groups, and hundreds of miles of walking for the last month. 

Despite the hardships presented by hoofing it across multiple states in relatively little time, these pilgrims were all smiles as they reported their progress. From the Eastern Seaton Route, Marina Frattaroli explained that the pilgrimage had just passed through western Pittsburgh. She said that they’ve seen a lot of families come out and were pleased to see the intergenerational participation: 

Matthew Heidenreich, who’s traveling on the Northern Marian Route, reported arriving at the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, where they will visit some 50 parishes in just 9 days. He recalled the Marian Route’s first boat procession while they were in the Diocese of Green Bay. The boat took them across a lake to a summer camp, where they held a procession for the campers.

From the Western Serra Route, Jaella Mac Au updated that the pilgrims had just passed through Nebraska, where they visited the dioceses of Lincoln and Grand Island. She noted that as the longest pilgrimage route they have been riding more than they have been walking, but now that they’re largely through the desert states, they have been holding more multi-mile processions. 

The Southern Juan Diego route did not have a perpetual pilgrim at the meeting, as they are currently in an area that is devoid of wifi or cell service. Instead, spokesman Will Peterson was on hand to give an update for the route, reporting that the Juan Diego route had passed the Gulf of Mexico, passing through the dioceses of Mobile and Birmingham along the way.

It’s not all procession and prayers, however, as pilgrims on each route take part in service projects on Saturdays. Heidenreich said that his group has already completed several projects, like helping to set up a warming shelter in Rochester, while in Green Bay they helped out at a local food pantry and a ministry called “Whatsoever you do,” a place where non-profits can have meetings and “a space to invite people in.” 

Matthew was thrilled to report that he spent two hours painting a bathroom for the ministry, 

On the Seton Route, Marina talked about working for the Sisters of Charity in The Bronx, New York. They cleaned one of the sisters' shelters, which Marina called “a beautiful change in pace.” She expressed how glad she was to have an opportunity for more hands-on work.

Meanwhile on the Serra route, Jaella reported working in soup kitchens, building up parishes, and little projects here and there. In Colorado, they took part in a weekly effort by the diocese to help build up the community, called “Christ in the City.” The diocese offers lunch to those in the most need and sets up chairs and music. Jaella noted that she had a fun time line dancing with new friends she met at the event.

Hear more testimonies from the perpetual pilgrims of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage at its official website.