Maria Wiering

There are hundreds of opportunities for Catholics to join the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage for Mass, adoration, processions and other events. However, casually meeting up with perpetual pilgrims along the four routes may be trickier, and is even prohibited along certain sections of the journey, according to pilgrimage leaders.

The routes’ 24 “perpetual pilgrims,” along with their priest chaplains and seven seminarians will accompany the Eucharist, exposed in a monstrance, as they travel — often on foot — across the United States.

A special track just for priests has been added to the schedule of the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis July 17-21, with speakers including two bishops and prominent theologians.

Beginning on Pentecost May 19, the Juan Diego Route is one of four National Pilgrimage Routes that will converge in Indianapolis ahead of the July 17-21 National Eucharistic Congress. The pilgrimage and the congress are part of the National Eucharistic Revival, a three-year initiative of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops that launched in 2022.

Planned for July 17-21 at Lucas Oil Stadium and the adjacent Indiana Convention Center, the 10th National Eucharistic Congress is expected to draw tens of thousands of Catholics of all ages from across the country for worship, prayer, formation and community.