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

By Maria Wiering, OSV News

INDIANAPOLIS — The monstrance holding the Eucharist gleamed in the midday sun on July 16 as pilgrims on the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage’s northern Marian Route turned a downtown corner and came into view of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, the pilgrimage’s final destination.

They had removed their shoes a mile earlier for the last stretch of the six miles they had walked that day, beginning at Holy Angels Church, three miles north of downtown Indianapolis. They had walked barefoot once before after rain soaked their shoes, but this time, it was an act of humility.

“The last mile was very special,” said Kai Weiss, a Marian route “perpetual pilgrim” and one of 30 20-year-olds who have traveled along the pilgrimage’s four routes since its kickoff May 18-19 — Pentecost weekend — from four cities in the nation’s North, South, East and West.

The Marian Route was the last of the four routes to arrive at St. John that morning for a noon Mass welcoming the pilgrims to Indianapolis for the July 17-21 National Eucharistic Congress — the pilgrimage’s destination. As the pilgrims walked the final block to the church, they sang a worship song while “day pilgrims” — people who had earlier joined other routes for their final processions — quietly knelt in reverence for the Eucharistic Lord.

The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage and the National Eucharistic Congress are key components of the National Eucharistic Revival, the U.S. bishops’ three-year initiative launched in 2022 to deepen love for and understanding of Jesus’ real presence in the Eucharist.

Earlier that morning, pilgrims on the Eastern Seton Route gathered for morning prayer at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church three and a half miles west of downtown Indianapolis. Over a breakfast provided by the parish, Zoe Dongas, a 25-year-old perpetual pilgrim from New York, said “it kind of feels surreal that we made it to this point.”

“I don’t think that emotions have quite hit,” she said. “I think once we walk into the church and see all the other teams that have been on this crazy adventure with Jesus for two months just like us, I think it will really become real.”

During their final procession, Dongas played guitar and sang hymns and worship music in English and Spanish, uniting a crowd that grew to more than 100 and stretched a city block. The procession wound through residential streets, small shopping districts and into downtown high-rises' shadows.

The procession drew Catholics of all ages; many held rosaries as they walked. Kids in rain boots splashed in puddles from rain earlier that morning; at least five families pushed double strollers. Maggie Pollard walked with her 5-week-old son Justin.

“It feels cool to know that I’ll be able to see four processions come together after such a long period traveling across America,” she said.

A parishioner of St. Jude in Indianapolis, Pollard noted her mother met up with Seton Route pilgrims while they passed through Ohio: “so it feels special that I’m doing this pilgrimage with her even on different days.”

Many walking with Seton pilgrims were from other states and traveled early to participate in its final day. Aaron and Diana Giard extended their visit to Diana’s family by weeks to attend congress events early as part of preparations: “get into mindset worshipping Christ is important.”

Noting their oldest son received first Communion earlier this year Diana said pilgrimage/congress gave children opportunity deeper relationship/experience something significant: "It’s beautiful seeing families around knowing larger community exists."

Larry Cirignano joined Seton Route's final procession having attended launch New Haven Connecticut processed again June Washington D.C., accompanied by Joan McKee who attended International Eucharistic Congress Philadelphia: "I'm so happy here," she told OSV News adding it's best church offers invites everyone.

As procession reached steps St John around 11:15 am Father Roger Landry—Seton Route chaplain only priest travel full length any route—ascended steps held monstrance aloft blessing crowd outside people knelt silence made sign cross many taking photos/videos too.

Perpetual pilgrims entered St John quiet prayer groups Western St Junipero Southern St Juan Diego already arrived while crowd—including array religious men/women habits—waited along street Marian group behind them huge sign Indiana Convention Center read "Revival Starts Here" convention center opposite site congress Lucas Oil Stadium too.

Seeing St John come view felt like homecoming Matthew Heidenreich whose group launched Mississippi Headwaters May described moment greeted slice heaven many people here welcoming Christ Lord foretaste God gives us eventually he added.

Before leaving final procession Weiss told OSV News felt overwhelmed good way: "It's crazy being here after two months walking can't wait carry Jesus another three miles meet others see what they've done past months."

Pilgrimage best thing ever done most stressful intense beautiful experience sad say goodbye whole journey if spend time Jesus eight weeks hours daily transformative experience struggles lies forefront weakness healing infinite love meeting transforming growing faith different start journey he added finally.

Marian Route prayed sang praised Lord processed towards city heart including praying ambulance passing local hospital patients too Melissa Marcucci Crystal Lake Illinois walked final three miles Holy Angels daughter Elle several times past weeks joining them describing feeling literally following Jesus old days doing what best us Elle added following experiencing walking disciples amazing drawing closer faith entering church neo-gothic interior Archbishop Charles C Thompson presided Bishop Andrew H Cozzens Crookston Minnesota Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle papal delegate concelebrants too homily Archbishop Thompson noted ahead tens thousands gather accompany celebrate discern encounter pray proclaim being Catholic today called pilgrim people missionary disciples body Christ he concluded remarks Bishop Cozzens chairman National Eucharistic Congress Inc very moving end pilgrimage almost didn’t happen thought logistically impossible Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly Knights Columbus conceived structure urging Father Landry Father John Anthony Franciscan Friar Renewal convinced possible especially offering walk friars present each leg organizational support team Minnesota-based Modern Catholic Pilgrim praising team did incredible thing US church grateful congregation burst applause saying someone morning feels could go home now great thing but don’t go home best yet come concluded Mass Will Peterson founder president Modern Catholic Pilgrim told OSV News relief young people roads boats scary takes guts wild world needs Jesus took him everywhere tremendous honor today knowing Jesus got here our pilgrims did too noting coinciding son's second birthday hope world growing young people involved today future positive outlook concluded.