Rev. James D. Conley, D.D., S.T.L. | Diocese of Lincoln website

Robert “Jody” LaBrie, a faithful Catholic from St. Ann Parish in Doniphan, recently completed the Catholic Diocese of Lincoln’s Eucharistic Passport Pilgrimage. LaBrie, who has a deep-rooted love for the Catholic faith, eagerly embraced the challenge of the pilgrimage, stating, “I’m an adoration guy, and this was right up my alley! I knew right away, this was something I was going to do.”

LaBrie's journey of faith began in his childhood, where his family instilled a love for the Eucharist in him. Growing up in a Catholic farm family in central Nebraska, LaBrie recalled how his parents taught him and his siblings to behave in Mass and to be respectful and reverent, instilling in him a special love for the Eucharist. This love was further nurtured during his time at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan., where Eucharistic adoration was a regular practice.

Despite life's challenges, including illness in the family and military service, LaBrie remained actively engaged in his faith community throughout his life. Now, at 83 years old and retired, LaBrie had the time to deepen his relationship with Christ through the Eucharistic Passport Pilgrimage. He shared, “When I heard about the Eucharistic Adoration Pilgrimage, I said, ‘Wow, that’s something I’m going to do!’ I have the time, I’m able to drive myself, and I love adoration.”

During the pilgrimage, LaBrie carried with him prayer intentions for his late wife, his son who was tragically murdered, his family, parish, and various other intentions. He viewed the pilgrimage as an opportunity to pray for these intentions and deepen his faith.

Each stop of the pilgrimage, covering nearly 4,000 miles, was a meaningful experience for LaBrie. He would start each trip by saying a rosary in the car and listening to Spirit Catholic Radio to prepare himself mentally for adoration. LaBrie, a former board member of Spirit Catholic Radio, recommends its programs to anyone interested in learning more about the Catholic faith.

Documenting his journey through a personal journal and photographs, LaBrie found each parish unique yet connected through the shared experience of adoration. He particularly cherished the interactions with fellow Catholics during his stops, noting how each encounter left a lasting impact on him.

Of all the parishes visited, LaBrie's home parish of St. Ann in Doniphan held a special place in his heart. Adoration at St. Ann’s was especially meaningful to him, with personal reminders of his loved ones present in the church.

As LaBrie reflects on his pilgrimage, he hopes that others will also undertake the journey, emphasizing that spending time in adoration is a privilege and a way to deepen one's faith. He shared, “It didn’t feel like an obligation; it was a privilege to spend time with our Lord. So many people today don’t really believe in the true presence, that it’s truly the body and blood of Jesus, but if you learn about the Catholic faith and spend any time in adoration, it’s impossible to have doubt that it’s real.”