One of the longest Eucharistic processions in history will cross America this summer, with stops in three neighboring dioceses

“Just as crowds followed Christ throughout his earthly ministry, our nation will process with our Eucharistic Lord over 6,500 miles — through cities, along highways, and past rural towns — on his way to the 10th National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis this summer,” according to organizers of the National Eucharistic Revival.

Even if you aren’t going to the congress, you can join tens of thousands of Catholics from across the country in one of four Eucharist processions converging in Indianapolis on routes from four corners of the United States.

The St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Route will cover the eastern half of the country, beginning in New Haven, Connecticut, on May 17. After traveling along the Atlantic coast, through Manhattan, Philadelphia and Baltimore, the procession will stop at parishes in the dioceses of Altoona-Johnstown, Greensburg and Pittsburgh.

• The procession will make four stops in the Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown between June 9 and 11, including Mass at Our Lady of the Alleghenies in Loretto, a procession and Mass at St. John Gaulbert Cathedral in Johnstown, Mass at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Altoona and a procession as well as uplifting praise and worship at St. Catherine of Siena Church in Duncansville.

• On June 12, the procession will move to the Diocese of Greensburg, beginning at Sacred Heart Parish, 553 Patton Ave., in Jeannette, Pennsylvania, where you can attend Mass at 10 am and then join a one-mile procession to Ascension Church, 615 Division St., also in Jeannette, which is offering a homemade spaghetti lunch.

• Adoration and a youth choir sendoff will then be held at Immaculate Conception Parish, 308 2nd St., Irwin, Pennsylvania. Adoration is planned for 3 to 4 pm, followed by the choir send-off and an ice cream social.

The pilgrimage will then be a part of two dozen events in the Diocese of Pittsburgh between June 12 and 19. Holy hours, processions, Masses, and a picnic supper are listed at parishes in McKeesport, Pittsburgh, Beaver Falls, Midland, New Castle, Bridgeville and Coraopolis.

For a complete list of the dates, times and locations the National Eucharistic Procession will be in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, see page 15 in the May 2024 edition of Pittsburgh Catholic. 

For those who live in the western half of the diocese, additional opportunities to participate in the procession will be available just over the border of Ohio. Use the same link to the map, www.eucharisticpilgrimage.org/st-elizabeth-ann-seton-route, to find information about the procession in Midland, Ohio; Weirton, WV; and Steubenville, Ohio, including the June 23rd “Put out into the Deep Boater-cade” on the Ohio River.

Three additional routes: The Marian Route, beginning in Minnesota; the Saint Juan Diego Route beginning in Texas; and the St. Junipero Serra Route beginning in California, will be taking place at the same time. Twenty-four young adults have been selected from across the country as perpetual pilgrims, each walking more than 1,000 miles.

Zoe Dongas, one of the perpetual pilgrims who will walk along the Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Route, says she applied to become a perpetual pilgrim “because the idea of going on an adventure like this with Jesus is one of a kind. It sounds like a dream,” she says. “We will get to see all of the blessings and graces that our Lord wants to bring.”