May - July 2024

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What is a National Eucharistic Pilgrimage?

A coast-to-coast Eucharistic Pilgrimage is planned for 2024 leading up to the National Eucharistic Congress. Four routes are planned through major cities across the United States. The pilgrims will start their journey in Brownsville on the Juan Diego Route, San Francisco on the Serra Route, Lake Itasca on the Marian Route, and New Haven on the Seton Route. Their travels will take them through parishes across the country to engage local communities in encounters with Our Lord.

Each pilgrimage route is expected to have 12 “perpetual pilgrims,” young adults, including two seminarians, committed to traveling the entire route, from their launch points to Indianapolis.

When is it?

There will be kickoff events for the pilgrimages on Saturday, May 18th, 2024, in each of the four starting cities ahead of the celebration of Pentecost Sunday. The next morning, following Mass, there will be processions with local parishioners to start the pilgrims on their pilgrimage. They will then walk across the country until they reach Indianapolis for the Congress on July 16, 2024.

How can vocation directors be involved?

Vocation directors and members of their community can help in the following ways:

Pray for the NEP, including pilgrims, hosts, and organizers.
Join a route as a Priest Chaplain or Spiritual Companion for week-long segments. Priest Chaplains lead processions, assist with the sacraments, and provide spiritual direction for pilgrims. Spiritual Companions lead prayer, assist with music, and offer spiritual guidance.
Host or participate in an event along a route. Events will include Adoration, pilgrim dinners, pilgrim water station and cheering spots along a route, leading a reflection, and/or assisting with music.
Join the Eucharistic pilgrimage as individuals or religious communities.