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

The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage passed through the Archdiocese of Louisville from July 4-9, drawing locals into prayer and procession. Singing hymns and praying the rosary, hundreds of Catholics from the Archdiocese of Louisville and the Archdiocese of Indianapolis processed with the Blessed Sacrament from Waterfront Park in downtown Louisville across the Ohio River via the Big Four Bridge on July 9.

Archbishop Shelton J. Fabre held the monstrance aloft as he crossed the pedestrian bridge, ceremoniously transferring it to Archbishop Charles Thompson of Indianapolis where the bridge begins its descent into Jeffersonville. Despite threats of severe weather produced by Hurricane Beryl and high humidity cloaking the bridge, clear skies prevailed for the procession and prayer service that followed at the base of the bridge in Jeffersonville. As the service neared its end, a rainbow arced across the sky over Louisville.

The evening gathering marked the end of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage’s route through Louisville. Eight pilgrims traveling along Juan Diego Route entered on July 4, covering about 100 miles while visiting parishes, religious communities, and other sites. The pilgrims are now heading to Indianapolis for their final destination: The National Eucharistic Congress from July 17-21.

Shayla Elm, one of eight pilgrims on this southern route traveling from Texas to Indiana, remarked that their experiences in Kentucky have convinced her that “the Church is alive and hungry.” She noted that many Catholics desire to live lives that are “on fire” rather than “lukewarm,” appreciating opportunities to publicly declare their faith by walking behind Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament.

“A Eucharistic procession makes you make an act of faith that is public,” she said. "They love it!"

During her first visit to Kentucky, Elm was struck by its deep Catholic roots. Established in 1808 as one of four dioceses carved from Baltimore's original see in America, Louisville's Catholic history dates back centuries.

To begin their route through Louisville’s archdiocese, pilgrims celebrated Mass at St. Catherine Church in New Haven and spent a night at Abbey of Gethsemani for midday prayer and a private tour. They also visited Dominican Sisters of Peace and Sisters of Charity of Nazareth among several local parishes including Holy Cross in Loretto and St. Rose Priory in Springfield.

On July 7th they attended Mass for Sunday at Basilica St Joseph Proto-Cathedral Bardstown before heading towards St Monica Church then St Gregory Cox’s Creek church next day celebrating mass at Saint Gabriel church processing along Bardstown road stopping Saint Raphael Francis Assisi James churches ending evening sacred music adoration Shrine Martin Tours

On July 9th pilgrims toured Catholic Charities joined Archbishop Fabre Mass Cathedral Assumption downtown later processing Blessed Sacrament Cathedral Augustine traditionally African American church established post Civil War

Overall saw seventeen sites within archdiocese throughout journey accompanied priests Franciscan Friars Renewal serving chaplains Among them Father Dismas Marie Kline native Louisvillians delight explained Elm closeness order grown team becoming family encountering joys challenges together moved teammates’ faith looking forward meeting other routes congress sharing stories