In honor of the country’s 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage has launched a pilgrimage route along the East Coast. Named after St. Francis Xavier Cabrini, the pilgrimage is similar to the ones that led up to the National Eucharistic Congress in 2024.
The theme “One Nation Under God” is an invitation to realign our lives, communities, and country under the sovereignty of Christ, according to the organization’s website. They invite every American across the country to join them in person or in spirit by offering prayers and sacrifices for the renewal of America.
“I love the theme ‘One Nation Under God,’ ” said Kevin Bohli, executive director of the diocesan Office of Youth, Campus, and Young Adult Ministries. “It’s a beautiful theme when you think of the Catholic history.”
Beginning Memorial Day weekend, nine perpetual pilgrims will travel in a vehicle designed to hold the monstrance in perpetual adoration. Their journey will begin in St. Augustine, Fla., and end in Philadelphia July 4. The route includes two stops in the diocese this June.
The pilgrims will attend the prayer vigil for vocations June 5 at the Basilica of St. Mary in Alexandria, the first parish established in Virginia. The next day, they will continue north to Washington and return to the Arlington diocese June 7 to attend the 70th anniversary of St. William of York Church in Stafford with Bishop Michael F. Burbidge.
When the pilgrimage arrives at St. William of York, they will join parishioners for Mass, followed by a procession around the parish grounds and a festival. The perpetual pilgrims will have a booth at the festival and be available to speak with parishioners about their experience.
Bohli encourages people who can’t attend to join their parish’s processions for the Feast of Corpus Christi.
“If people feel they can’t make it, there are lots of processions that weekend. Christ is the same everywhere,” said Bohli. “It is a great reminder that weekend to publicly participate in our belief in the Eucharist.”
Kassock is a freelance writer in Fredericksburg.
