PILGRIMAGE — National Eucharistic Pilgrimage vans like the one shown will support pilgrims making the trek on four U.S. routes, all converging on Indianapolis. Together the routes cover about 6,500 miles. -- Contributed

The Catholic dioceses of Steubenville and Wheeling-Charleston will host events centered around a nationwide religious pilgrimage, meant to spread devotion to a fundamental tenet of the Catholic faith.

Billed as “one of the largest Eucharistic pilgrimages in history,” the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage consists of four routes, starting in four points in the U.S.: Mississippi Headwater, Lake Itasca, Minn.; New Haven, Conn.; Brownsville, Texas, and San Francisco, Calif. All converging on Indianapolis, the routes together cover about 6,500 miles.

Small groups of young adults, accompanied by clergy and consecrated individuals, will make the entire trip to Indianapolis, traveling on foot during 60 days. Pilgrims and their support vans embarked May 17 and will arrive in Indiana on July 16.

At the pilgrimage’s heart is a desire to honor and give public witness to the Eucharist, believed by Catholics to be the “body, blood, soul and divinity” of Jesus Christ, present under the appearance of bread and wine. Pilgrims will travel with the Eucharist at all times.

Upon the pilgrimage’s completion in Indianapolis will be the National Eucharistic Congress, which will take place at Lucas Oil Stadium from July 17-21. The first U.S. congress in 83 years, the event is a celebration of the Eucharist and the Catholic doctrine of the real presence, which claims Jesus is substantially present in the Eucharist, not just as a symbol or metaphor.

The pilgrimage and congress stem from the National Eucharistic Revival, a Eucharistic devotional movement in the U.S. begun in 2022 by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Pilgrims will pass through multiple states, with local communities hosting events and providing lodging. Individuals living near one of the routes are invited to join in a “Eucharistic Caravan” as the pilgrims travel by. More than 100,000 people are expected to participate.

Named after the first American-born Catholic saint, Elizabeth Ann Seton, the route beginning in New Haven will trace the Atlantic coast before stepping into Maryland and Pennsylvania, crossing through West Virginia and continuing across Ohio into Indiana. Among the pilgrims are two priests, a friar, a seminarian and five lay pilgrims, including one Franciscan University of Steubenville alumna, Natalie Garza.

With the pilgrimage passing through the dioceses of Wheeling-Charleston and Steubenville between Thursday and June 24, a number of events have been planned.

Deacon Randy and Mary Ellen Redington serve on the Steubenville diocese’s planning team. The two head a group of 32 committee members who “conceived and initiated” the diocese’s various events during its leg of the pilgrimage, Randy Redington said.

“It’s to revive our appreciation for the real presence of Jesus — body, blood, soul and divinity — in the Eucharist,” Redington said of the pilgrimage. “The bishops are trying … to wake us all up to what we really believe.”

Pilgrims will be received at 8 a.m. Thursday in St. Joseph the Worker Church in Weirton for a meet-and-greet, Eucharistic adoration and praise and worship. A Eucharistic procession will travel to Sacred Heart of Mary Church for benediction and adoration at 9:30 a.m., followed by a sharing session and reflection by the pilgrims at 11 a.m. Adoration at St. Paul Church will close out the day at 7 p.m.

Mass will take place at Sacred Heart of Mary Friday at 8:30 a.m., proceeded by breakfast at 9:30 a.m. Later, pilgrims will travel to the Louis Berkman Amphitheater in Steubenville and be welcomed with a “Sing-Spiration” music event, beginning at 6 p.m. A procession down Fourth Street at 7 p.m. will arrive at St. Peter Church at 7:30 p.m. for payer and benediction.

While in town, Redington said, pilgrims will help with service projects. Additionally, Franciscan University will host conferences entitled My Body Given for You Friday and June 22, with free registration.

On June 22, Holy Family Church will host a holy hour at 6 p.m. with an address from pilgrim the Rev. Roger Landry, followed at 7 p.m. by a potluck dinner, family activities and a social. Attendees should register with the church and bring a side dish.

June 23 will begin with Mass at 10 a.m. at Triumph of the Cross Parish. At 11 a.m., a motorcade will head to the Steubenville Marina, where a “Put Out into the Deep” joint-diocesan boatercade will take off at noon.

Escorted down the Ohio River by members of the public in boats, the boatercade will be led by an historic sternwheeler, donated by Capt. Bob Harrison in memory of his wife, Julia. From on board, Wheeling-Charleston Bishop Mark Brennan will give Eucharistic blessings to individuals gathered on shore between noon and 4 p.m. at specific locations: The Steubenville Marina, Wellsburg Wharf, Wellsburg-Brilliant Bridge, Mazeroski Park, Pike Island Locks and Dam and Heritage Port. Individuals should listen to hear a bell.

From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. will be a walking procession, prayer service, dinner and social at Bellaire’s St. John the Evangelist Church, proceeded by a motorcade to an all-night vigil at Wheeling’s St. Joseph Cathedral. Pilgrims will depart from St. Alphonsus Church June 24 after breakfast and fellowship.

Events are made possible through collaboration with many individuals, as well as city and county officials, said Mary Ellen Redington. The public is invited to all events.

Those who cannot attend events in person may listen live at WWGL-FM, WDWC-FM or www.rdo.to/WLOL Friday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and June 23 from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. That, as well as any in-person participation, may count toward Catholics receiving a plenary indulgence, provided other criteria outlined by the church are met, Randy Redington said.

“Let’s take this opportunity to lift up our true belief and love for the lord’s real presence,” he said.

Information about the pilgrimage and events can be found at eucharisticpilgrimage.org, dwc.org and diosteub.org.