Throughout the National Eucharistic Revival, local communities have been gathering tinder in response to God’s invitation for renewal, calling on the Holy Spirit to bring the flame.
As a key moment within the National Eucharistic Revival, the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage traced the shape of a cross over our nation, covering over 6,500 miles to bring Jesus to city streets, rural highways, and hungry hearts from every sector of society on his way to the 10th National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis.
Visit the Pilgrims’ Digest blog to read more about the places the Pilgrimage visited as well as the amazing stories of encounter and conversion along the way!
Click on the boxes below to learn more about the four routes, or visit our About page for a more in-depth overview of this historic journey.
Departing from the headwaters of the Mississippi, the northern arm of the Pilgrimage will descend through the midwestern United States, pass through Wisconsin and Illinois, and meet up with the other three pilgrimage routes at the Congress in Indianapolis. Find out more about this route and its patron at the link below.
The eastern arm of the Pilgrimage will begin near the Atlantic coast, journey through our nation’s oldest diocese, and cross the Appalachian Mountains. Find out more about this route and its patron at the link below.
The southern arm of the Pilgrimage will depart from the tip of Texas, wind around the Gulf of Mexico, and pass through the southeastern region of the United States on its way to Indianapolis. Find out more about this route and its patron at the link below.
From our Pacific coast, the western arm of the Pilgrimage will cross the Rocky Mountains and Great Plains. Named after the “Apostle of California,” this will be the longest and most challenging route—covering over 2,200 miles! Find out more about this route and its patron at the link below.
The Holy Spirit is inviting the Church in the U.S. to find unity and renewal through a grassroots movement we call the Revival. Discerned and called for by the bishops of the U.S., this movement is rekindling a living faith in the hearts of Catholics across America and will unleash a new missionary chapter at this pivotal moment in Church history.
Thousands of your Catholic brothers and sisters walked alongside our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament—publicly professing our faith and witnessing to the world that Jesus is a King worth following.
The Congress fulfilled, in a moment, the vision of the Eucharistic Revival. Together we encountered the living Jesus Christ, experienced renewal, and were sent out “for the life of the world.” Throughout these five days, our Church experienced a new Pentecost and was anointed for the Year of Mission to come.
Shortly after his Resurrection, Jesus accompanied two disciples on their journey from Jerusalem to Emmaus—walking with them in their grief, offering hope, and finally revealing himself through the breaking of the bread. Jesus wants to do the same for YOU!
Even if you weren’t able to participate in the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, you don’t need to miss out on the purpose of the Pilgrimage: a personal encounter with Jesus. Make a pilgrimage of your own to a local adoration chapel or even to Mass on Sunday. Jesus is waiting for you in the Eucharist, in every tabernacle in every Catholic church around the world!
Click below to discover more about pilgrimages, their legacy within the Church, and what makes the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage such a historic moment for America.
Following Jesus is a personal statement of faith—a faith that moves us to seek Our Lord wherever he goes: be it the streets, cathedrals, or in the hearts of the poor. The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage will not only be undertaken by Perpetual Pilgrims (those who commit themselves to making the entire journey). All Catholics are invited to participate in this massive “Eucharistic Caravan.”
If you live near one of the four established routes, come meet Jesus as he passes by! If you are unable to meet up with the main pilgrimage, we encourage you to make your own pilgrimage in solidarity! Click below to learn more about planning your own pilgrimage.