Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D. Bishop | Archdiocese of Louisville

Five-year-old Hannah Lock had many questions about the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage that passed through Nortonville on June 25. Her most pressing question was, “Where is Jesus?”

“She thought Jesus was one of the priests,” said her mother, Kayla Lock, a member of St. Augustine Parish in Fidelity.

While the explanation that Jesus was present in the Eucharist in the monstrance may have slightly disappointed Hannah, hundreds of others who took part in the pilgrimage were delighted to have the opportunity to see and process with the Eucharistic Christ as pilgrims made their way through the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas from June 24-29.

“It was so beautiful,” said Rachael Schmidt, a member of St. Mary Parish in Derby, who attended the Atchison leg of the pilgrimage. “It’s an amazing witness of processing all across America with Jesus.”

Schmidt, who will be a freshman at Benedictine College in the fall, said she knew the pilgrimage was going to be a powerful event.

“I couldn’t miss it,” she told The Leaven, the archdiocesan newspaper. “People everywhere are going to see this and wonder what is going on and see all these people following Jesus.”

The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage consists of four routes with pilgrims crossing the United States from four directions: Marian from the north; Seton from the east; Juan Diego from the south; and Serra from the west. They will converge in Indianapolis on July 16 for the National Eucharistic Congress, taking place July 17-21.

The Serra Route, which started in San Francisco, passed through the Kansas City Archdiocese. Some people traveled long distances to be part of this pilgrimage.

Lucy Reyes, a member of St. Matthew Parish in Charlotte, North Carolina, joined the procession in Atchison. Traveling with her sister-in-law from Florida, Reyes said being part of the pilgrimage was deeply moving.

“It’s awesome. It’s amazing,” she said. “The community around the Eucharist was so overwhelming. It’s just beautiful.”

The pilgrimage entered the archdiocese on a hot afternoon on June 25, crossing from Missouri into Kansas via the Amelia Earhart Bridge. Sweat dripped down faces and saturated clothes as pilgrims made their way to Benedictine College. The following day saw pilgrims processing through Benedictine College's campus, Nortonville's dusty roads, and downtown Topeka's busy streets.

Each stop offered an opportunity to adore or process with the Blessed Sacrament. St. Joseph Parish in Nortonville relished being part of this event.

“It’s overwhelming to consider that a little rural parish with less than 100 families is important enough to be a stop on this national pilgrimage,” said Becky Weishaar, a St. Joseph parishioner. “To think that this has been making its way all from California and will be a huge part of that Eucharistic Revival in Indianapolis is very exciting for us to bring people closer to the Lord in Christ's real presence.”

On a national level, interest in these pilgrimages has exceeded expectations. The Kansas City archdiocesan leg was no exception as most churches had standing-room only for adoration, Masses and Holy Hours.

“It’s hard to plan for an event when you don’t know how many people are coming but the Lord provides,” said Father Nathan Haverland, pastor of Most Pure Heart of Mary Parish in Topeka and one organizer for Topeka's portion of this pilgrimage. “We planned as best we could and He provides for rest.”

Hundreds processed from St. Joseph Church in Topeka to Assumption Church where it was packed beyond capacity.

June 27 began with Mass at Assumption followed by a procession to Brown vs Topeka Board of Education Park where Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann noted Brown Supreme Court decision's importance against racism during prayer service.

“Every time we leave Mass we’re sent on mission changing world bringing Jesus Christ every corner society," he said."We give thanks instrumental landmark decision ending segregation schools."

Archbishop called it great moment church pilgrimage recognizing sacrifices racial equality.

June 28 began "Mission Mission Road," procession winding Church Nativity Leawood Cathedral St Peter Kansas City evening Eucharistic adoration stops two Catholic churches park Donnelly College

Before journeying neighboring Diocese Kansas City-St Joseph Missouri Archbishop Naumann celebrated morning Mass June 29 cathedral

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