The National Eucharistic Congress, Inc. is eager to invite young people ages 19–29 to apply in service as Perpetual Pilgrims along the four distinct routes destined for the 10th National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, IN. Joined by a priest chaplain, a consistent group of volunteers is needed to accompany Jesus in the Eucharist from May 17 to July 21, 2024. Perpetual Pilgrims will travel a combined distance of 6,500 miles, stopping at many holy sites along this unprecedented coast-to-coast pilgrimage modeled after the Gospel account of Jesus’ journey to Emmaus two millennia ago.
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.
The eastern arm of the Pilgrimage will begin near the Atlantic coast, journey through our nation’s oldest diocese, and cross the Appalachian Mountains.
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.
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!
Will Peterson is the Founder and President of Modern Catholic Pilgrim, a non-profit organization established to deepen faith and build community across the U.S. through walked pilgrimage in the Catholic tradition. While an undergraduate college student, a pilgrimage to Rome for Pope Francis’ first Easter stirred the initial thoughts of a pilgrimage ministry as Peterson felt the immense power of a physical journey of faith shared with others. After years as a Catholic school teacher in TN, KY, and CA, Peterson established Modern Catholic Pilgrim and enjoys helping to bring Jesus both physically and spiritually to American Catholics. Modern Catholic Pilgrim is the pilgrimage partner of the National Eucharistic Revival, organizing and managing all four routes destined for the 10th National Eucharistic Congress in July 2024 in Indianapolis.
