Eucharistic pilgrimage

Two members of Our Lady of Grace Parish in Minot took part in the National Eucharistic Procession—the prelude to the national event that brought Jesus in the Eucharist to the congress held in Indianapolis in mid-July.
 
The Eucharistic Pilgrimage was the simultaneous journey of four different routes across the United States walking with Jesus, in the Real Presence, bringing Him to the crowds in the streets. There were four routes from different directions—Marian (north), Seton (east), Juan Diego (south) and Serra (west).
 
On July 16, all four branches of this historic Pilgrimage converged in Indianapolis for the 10th National Eucharistic Congress joining with 50,000+ people who attended a milestone event within the Revival and a historic moment for the Church in the U.S.
 
Minot resident, Jeff Case, participated in the National Eucharistic Procession—Marian route when it reached Wisconsin.
 
“I was very privileged to participate in the first day of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage in the La Crosse, Wisconsin Diocese on June 7,” Jeff said. “One of four national Eucharistic Pilgrimage routes that began on Pentecost Sunday, the Marian route started in Lake Itasca, Minnesota at the headwaters of the Mississippi River.”
 
Jeff explained that the day began with the transfer of the Eucharistic Procession from the Winona-Rochester Diocese in Minnesota to the La Crosse Diocese in Wisconsin. Bishop Robert Barron of Winona-Rochester carried the monstrance about three quarters of a mile into La Crosse where, at a predetermined site, it was transferred to Bishop Gerard Battersby of La Crosse. Following a brief time of prayer and adoration, the procession continued the remaining three quarters of a mile to the La Crosse Center.   
 
“I was honored to be part of the 35 plus 4th degree Knights of Columbus participating in this once-in-a-lifetime segment of a National Eucharistic Procession,” Jeff added.
 
Jeff also attended an event called “The Answer Eucharistic Rally” at the La Crosse Center that began with a series of reflections on the Eucharist and adoration, followed by the celebration of Holy Mass.   
 
 “We listened to Chris Stefanik give an enthusiastic presentation in the afternoon on why Jesus Christ, present in the Blessed Sacrament, is truly ‘the answer’ to all our needs, wants and cares. In the middle of worldly chaos, and our messy lives, Jesus is right here with us telling us repeatedly that He loves us, and He willingly gives Himself to us in Holy Communion.”
 
Jeff continued, “Next, we heard from Immaculée Ilibagiza, a Rwandan-American Catholic and author of Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust. She described how she survived during the Rwandan genocide. Amidst all her fear—believing she would never escape, that she would be tortured and murdered—she experienced the presence of God. A 22-year-old college student at the time and a member of the Tutsi tribe, she survived the genocide after hiding with seven other women for 91 days in the tiny 12 square foot bathroom of a pastor’s home.”
 
Jeff said that walking with Jesus, brother Knights of Columbus, and more than 2,000 bishops, priests, deacons, religious, seminarians and lay Catholics, was an experience he cannot yet fully express in words.
 
“At times it was very moving as I caught glimpses of people with rosaries kneeling on the sidewalk or on street corners as we passed by,” he said. “I was overwhelmed with joy and gratitude to be part of a large mass of people publicly expressing our faith when I saw people looking down at the procession as we passed underneath an overhead crosswalk.”
 
Jeff summarized that all the local Eucharistic processions throughout the country, together with the four National Pilgrimages and the National Eucharistic Congress are of monumental importance to Catholics, our belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist and our country. How can any Catholic not be grateful for his or her Catholic faith? His giving of Himself is endless in the Eucharist, the source and summit of the Christian life. At the end of Jesus’ discourse on the Eucharist, He asks the disciples, “Will you also go away?” Simon Peter responds, “Lord to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life; and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God” (John 6: 67-68). Jesus Christ is truly the answer.
 
Our Lady of Grace parishioner, Gloria Aberle, along with her daughters Bonnie, Lisa and Wendy, took part in the Marion Route of the National Eucharistic Procession starting in Bemidji, Minnesota.
 
“My daughter, Lisa, heard of the Eucharistic Congress as she was reading a book on Blessed Pier Gorgio Frassati, to whom she has a special devotion,” Gloria shared. “He often attended Eucharistic Congresses. Searching the internet, she came across the 2024 National Eucharist Congress to be held in July in Indianapolis. She became quite excited and thought we should participate in the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage. As she continued her search, she found Lake Bemidji was the closest for my three daughters and I to attend the startup of the Marian route.”
 
It began on May 17 with the opening celebration in Bemidji. The auditorium was packed with more than 3,000 people. The evening began with a welcome by Bishop Andrew H. Cozzens of the Crookston Diocese and Bishop Daniel J. Felton of the Diocese of Duluth.
 
Gloria added that Bishop Robert Barron, of the Winona-Rochester Diocese, opened the session with a very interesting reflection. A Holy Hour of adoration was also offered with Bishop Felton presiding.
 
Other highlights of Gloria and family included Mass celebrated by Archbishop Bernard Hebda with music provided by Aly Aleigha and the Handmaids of the Heart of Jesus Sisters from St. Paul. Sister Jude Andrew Link, OP, and Father Mike Schmitz also gave presentations. Father Mike’s encouraging message was, “Get out and evangelize!”
 
Gloria and her daughters witnessed a special moment when attending the Pentecost Sunday outdoor liturgy at Lake Itasca State Park Pioneer Village on June 19 celebrated by Bishop Cozzens. “The appearance of an eagle soaring above us at the start of the Mass was a sign to me of the power of the Holy Spirit over the United States of America.” 
 
The Marian route of the National Eucharistic Procession proceeded at the mouth of the Mississippi River following the Mass. 
 
“This was truly an awesome experience to be present and to send the pilgrims on their two-month journey to the National Eucharistic Revival,” Gloria added. “Seeing the many bishops, priests, seminarians, religious and lay families was a powerful scene to behold. It was good to see Garrett Aberle, a seminarian for the Diocese of Fargo. His parents, Ricky and Christine, are members of Our Lady Grace Parish in Minot. This was truly a very powerful and memorable weekend.”
 
—Staff report