Archdiocese of Chicago Welcomes the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage on Wednesday, June 26 through Sunday, June 30, 2024
Chicago, (June 21, 2024) – The Archdiocese of Chicago welcomes the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage (NEP) starting on Wednesday, June 26 through Sunday, June 30, 2024. The pilgrimage is travelling across the United States and the Archdiocese of Chicago will host five days of special events, volunteer opportunities and Eucharistic celebrations at parishes, shrines and missions. The faithful are encouraged to register to attend at this link: https://pvm.archchicago.org/events/national-eucharistic-revival/pilgrimage.
The national pilgrimage is a two-month walking journey across the United States with four routes led by clergy and a small group of young adult Catholics converging at the 10th National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis on July 17, 2024. The national pilgrimage is part of the National Eucharistic Revival, a three-year, grassroots initiative of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) to assist Catholics in coming to a fuller understanding and appreciation of the meaning of the Eucharist in the life of the Church, and that the celebration of the Eucharist is the source and summit of Christian life. The Revival has included religious education at the local and national levels.
The Archdiocese of Chicago is on the Marian [northern] Route named for its planned visit to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion — formerly Our Lady of Good Help — the only approved appearance of Mary, Mother of Jesus in the United States. This leg of the pilgrimage begins in Minnesota and travels through Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana.
During the local pilgrimage’s visit to the Archdiocese of Chicago, each site will include a procession of gifts of the Mass – bread, wine and lectionary, the book which contains a collection of readings for Mass – that will be carried to each location for the celebration of the Eucharist, which is the foundation of each event. In addition to Mass at each site, there will be witness talks, adoration and a procession.
Events by day:
On Wednesday, June 26, the local pilgrimage begins with a youth-focused afternoon event at University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary. The seminary was one of the sites of the 1926 National Eucharistic Congress.
On Thursday, June 27, the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe will hold multi-cultural celebrations for the faithful of all ethnic backgrounds from noon to 9 p.m.
On Friday, June 28, the archdiocesan ethnic ministries – Asian Catholic Initiative, Black Catholic Initiative, Consejo Hispano and Polonia – will host their respective communities for Masses at various parish locations.
The evening of June 28, St. Alphonsus Parish, in Chicago, will host young adults for an event.
On Saturday, June 29 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., Mission of Our Lady of the Angels, in Chicago, will host a block party with food, games and witness talks. Additional parishes and ministries will host volunteers for a morning of service from 9 a.m. until noon.
During the evening of Saturday, June 29, each vicariate will host a celebration: Vicariate I, 5 – 7:30 p.m. at the National Shrine of St. Maximilian Kolbe at Marytown in Libertyville; Vicariate II, 5 – 7 p.m. at Queen of All Saints Basilica in Chicago; Vicariate III, 4 – 7 p.m. at St. Frances of Rome Parish in Cicero; Vicariate IV, 4 – 6 p.m. at St. Rosalie Church in Harwood Heights; Vicariate V, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church in Palos Hills; Vicariate VI, 7 – 9 p.m. at St. Augustine Church in Midlothian.
On Sunday, June 30 from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m., the local pilgrimage will culminate with Cardinal Blase Cupich, archbishop of Chicago, presiding over Mass and leading a procession at Holy Name Cathedral.
Media note: Please coordinate in advance with archdiocesan communications staff to cover events.
More information about the Archdiocese of Chicago celebrations can be found at: https://pvm.archchicago.org/events/national-eucharistic-revival/pilgrimage.
