National “Emmaus moment”: Pilgrims will make Cross across America
The continental US will be “blessed” with the Sign of the Cross next year, as walking pilgrims converge on the National Eucharist Congress in Indiana from points North, East, South and West.
The National Eucharistic Revival today announced a pilgrimage to begin next May, two months ahead of the 10th National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. The National Eucharstic Pilgrimage will be looking for 48 volunteers to devote at least 60 days to the endeavor, accompanying the Blessed Sacrament full time from four different starting points around the country.
Others will be able to join the pilgrimage for smaller distances along the way in a less formal manner.
The announcement was made May 17, the feast of St. Paschal Baylon, patron of Eucharistic Congresses.
The Eucharistic Revival, a plan approved by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, is an answer to dismal survey results of several years back, apparently showing a declining belief among Catholics in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. A three-year program of formation and education will culminate in a Eucharistic Congress at Lucas Oil Stadium, the first event of its kind in 83 years.
Pilgrimage organizers said that the routes will have themes based on the history of Catholicism in America.:
1- East: The Seton Route, named for St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, founder of the Sisters of Charity and the parochial school system in the U.S., will begin at St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Connecticut, burial place of the founder of the Knights of Columbus, Blessed Michael McGivney.
2- South: The Juan Diego Route, named for the visionary who saw Our Lady of Guadalupe in 1531, will begin at Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Brownsville, Texas.
3- West: The Serra Route, named for St. Junipero Serra, a Spanish missionary who spread the faith throughout California and who was canonized by Pope Francis in Washington, D.C., will begin at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in San Francisco.
4- North: The Marian Route will kick off at Lake Itasca, the headwater of the Mississippi River.
