Masses, Eucharistic processions and other events will highlight the upcoming June 8-9 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage stop in The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington and the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.
The Washington stop is one of many being made by those participating in the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage’s Eastern Route – one of four national pilgrimages being held prior to the National Eucharistic Congress.
About 1,000 miles long and taking two months to complete, the Eastern Route pilgrimage began May 18 in Connecticut, wending its way through several states including Maryland and the District of Columbia, and will conclude in Indianapolis in time for the July 17-21 National Eucharistic Congress. Six “perpetual pilgrims” and a priest will make the entire journey with the Eucharist in a monstrance. Catholics are invited to join the pilgrims along the way and participate in events associated with stops along the pilgrimage route.
In The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, scheduled events for Saturday, June 8 include:
8 a.m. Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception will be celebrated by Washington Auxiliary Bishop Evelio Menjivar with Father Michael Fuller, general secretary of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops as the homilist and concelebrant.
9 a.m. Eucharistic Procession through the Brookland neighborhood of Washington, stopping at The Catholic University of America, various religious communities, the USCCB building, and ending at the Saint John Paul II National Shrine. The theme for the procession will be “Walk with Jesus: To Jesus Through Mary.” Each stop on the procession will have a short period of prayer and the language at each prayer session will alternate between English and Spanish.
Noon Benediction at the Saint John Paul II National Shrine followed by a Catechesis on the Eucharist led by young adults from the archdiocese at the Saint John Paul II National Shrine.
There will also be time at the Saint John Paul II National Shrine for rest and refreshments.
At the same time as the walking procession is occurring, there will be a stationary pilgrimage for those with limited mobility, or other disability, at the Saint John Paul II National Shrine. Mass will be celebrated at 9:30 am at the Saint John Paul II National Shrine for those joining the stationary pilgrimage. Following the 9:30 am Mass at the Saint John Paul II National Shrine there will be time for Confessions, and an adaptive catechesis for those living with a disability. Those participating in the stationary pilgrimage will be able to join the walking procession as it arrives at the Shrine.
On Sunday, June 9, Washington Cardinal Wilton Gregory will celebrate a noon Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception followed by a Eucharistic Procession inside the National Shrine’s Upper Church. Cardinal Gregory will be joined by Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington, who will lead the procession inside the Upper Church.
People can register to attend the Procession and stationary pilgrimage here: https://adw.org/living-the-faith/evangelization/national-eucharistic-revival/pilgrimage-registration/
Volunteers are needed for the procession and they can register here: https://adw.org/living-the-faith/evangelization/national-eucharistic-revival/national-eucharistic-procession-volunteer/
Pope Francis has granted to participants in the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage and the National Eucharistic Congress the opportunity to receive a plenary indulgence.
The plenary indulgence will be granted to those who participate in the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage at any point between May 17 and July 16. It will also be granted to the elderly, infirm, and all those who cannot leave their homes for a serious reason and who participate in spirit with the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, uniting their prayers, pains, or inconveniences with Christ and the pilgrimage. To receive the plenary indulgence, an individual must fulfill the following conditions: Sacramental Confession, Holy Communion and prayer for the intentions of the Holy Father.
The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage and the subsequent National Eucharistic Congress are part of a three-year National Eucharistic Revival initiated by the U.S. bishops in 2022 to inspire greater understanding of and love for Jesus in the Eucharist. The three-year effort culminates with the congress that will be held July 17-21 in Indianapolis. It is expected to draw tens of thousands of Catholics for Masses, Eucharistic adoration and other devotions and talks by well-known Catholic speakers.
