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

Duane Oden, a member of St. Joseph Parish in Beatrice, has completed the Eucharistic Passport Pilgrimage twice. For Oden, this pilgrimage was more than a journey; it was a source of fellowship and joy.

Oden’s spiritual journey began with a significant revelation in his 30s. Although baptized Lutheran as an infant, he wasn’t actively engaged in church life until one day when he felt compelled to open the Bible and delve into the Acts of the Apostles. “Something told me it was an actual fact as I was reading,” he recalled.

That pivotal moment led to his official conversion to the Catholic Church on June 6, 1992, an anniversary he holds dear. Since then, his commitment has deepened. Actively involved in St. Joseph Parish, he attends daily Mass, serves as an acolyte, and contributes in various capacities. His dedication includes daily recitations of the rosary, the Liturgy of the Hours, and regular Eucharistic adoration.

While Oden had embarked on many pilgrimages before—including visits to the Holy Land, Ireland, Fatima, Lourdes, and holy sites in Wisconsin—the Eucharistic Passport Pilgrimage held special significance for him. “This one was special because it was in my diocese; it felt like a family affair,” he noted. “Our own bishop came up with this for us, and I knew right away I wanted to do it.”

Retired from a 42-year career with Black Hills Energy and unmarried, Oden felt free to dedicate himself fully to this endeavor.

With quick planning, Oden began his pilgrimage in August 2023 and swiftly filled his passport within ten days. He completed two stops per day and stayed overnight to complete the westernmost locations in one trip.

“The first pilgrimage was one of thanksgiving,” he reflected. “It was the perfect opportunity to take time to give thanks for what God has done in my life... without my Catholic faith I couldn’t have borne the hard parts.”

Oden decided to complete the pilgrimage again during Lent. “When you go on pilgrimages...it’s not so much about the travel but who’s at the destination waiting to spend time with you,” he said.

He expressed gratitude for Father Leo Kosch, pastor of St. Joseph Parish who offered him encouragement throughout his experience.

Oden fondly recalled unity among fellow pilgrims: “The unity of clergy...felt like a family trip.” His pilgrimage also brought him closer to fulfilling a personal goal of visiting every church in his diocese.

St. Patrick's Church in Imperial stood out for Oden: “Driving four and a half hours for one hour of veneration might sound crazy but it was pure joy!” He likened this dedication to visiting a loved one upon request.

Throughout each pilgrimage stop for adoration included unexpected interactions that expanded his list of prayer intentions: "A man told me he was recovering from drug addiction... another location had a teacher helping me find an adoration chapel."

At Lincoln's Newman Center where young people committed their names for Eucharistic adoration filled him with hope: "It filled me with hope seeing all those names.”

Looking ahead Oden plans participation National Eucharistic Revival Pilgrimage coming through Nebraska this month eager attending National Eucharistic Congress July Indianapolis encouraging others discover transformative power Eucharistic adoration today’s fast-paced world: "Eucharistic adoration is an opportunity step away noise open your heart Lord."