Follow Me
National Eucharistic Pilgrimage and procession coming to our diocese July 8-12 in several cities
By ANDREW HANSEN
Editor
You are invited to a once-in-a-lifetime experience being called “our national Emmaus moment,” after the biblical passage in which Jesus walked with two of his disciples along the road to Emmaus. The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage is an unprecedented pilgrimage in which Catholics will pray and publicly follow Jesus in their cities through Eucharistic processions. The Diocese of Springfield in Illinois is excited to be included in one of the four national routes (July 8-12), all of which lead to Indianapolis for the National Eucharistic Congress July 17-21.
This National Eucharistic Pilgrimage kicks off the Feast of Pentecost (May 17-19). The pilgrimage route that will come through the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois will originate in San Francisco and will be in several cities throughout Central Illinois July 8-12 in which all people are invited and encouraged to experience. Pilgrims can be a public witness of our faith by participating in the Eucharistic processions, they can pray before our Lord in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament in our churches, grow in fellowship with their neighbors at dinners, and hear powerful witness talks from the national eucharistic procession team as they share their experiences of taking Jesus across the nation.
Be there when God moves in your community!
Schedule
*Note, schedule and locations subject to change
Monday, July 8 – Collinsville and Alton
1 – 3 p.m.: Bishop Michael McGovern of the Diocese of Belleville will hand off the national traveling monstrance to Bishop Thomas John Paprocki of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois at Ss. Peter and Paul Church in Collinsville, followed by a Eucharistic procession and adoration
5:30 – 7 p.m.: Potluck dinner and witness talks at St. Mary Church in Alton
7 – 8 p.m.: Eucharistic adoration at St. Mary Church in Alton
Tuesday, July 9 – Alton and Quincy
8:15 a.m.: Mass at Ss. Peter and Paul Church in Alton
9 – 11:30 a.m.: Eucharistic procession through Alton from Ss. Peter and Paul Church to St. Francis Convent of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St. George for Benediction to St. Mary Church for Benediction
5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.: Eucharistic procession from St. Peter Church in Quincy to the grave of Venerable Father Augustine Tolton (the nation’s first black priest) at St. Peter Cemetery in Quincy
7:30 – 8:30 p.m.: Potluck dinner and witness talks at St. Francis Solanus Church in Quincy
8:30 – 9:30 p.m.: Eucharistic adoration at St. Francis Solanus Church in Quincy
Wednesday, July 10 – Girard and Springfield
8 a.m.: Mass at St. Francis Solanus Church in Quincy
3:30 – 5 p.m.: Eucharistic procession around St. Francis of Assisi Campus in Springfield (4857 Laverna Road) ending with Vespers at St. Francis of Assisi Church. Stops will include the chapels at Corpus Christi Priory (Canons Regular of Prémontré), St. Francis Convent (Hospital Sisters of St. Francis), and St. James Monastery (of the Franciscan Brothers of the Holy Cross)
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.: Dinner and witness talks at St. Bonaventure Hall at Corpus Christi Priory
7:30 p.m. – 5:45 a.m.: All night Eucharistic adoration at St. Francis of Assisi Church
Thursday, July 11 – Springfield and Effingham
7 a.m.: Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Springfield with Bishop Paprocki as the main celebrant
8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Eucharistic procession through Springfield from the Cathedral to Blessed Sacrament Church for Benediction to Sacred Heart Convent of the Springfield Dominican Sisters for Benediction to St. Agnes Church for Benediction
5:30 – 7:30 p.m.: Evening Prayer, followed by a potluck dinner and witness talks at Sacred Heart Church in Effingham
7:30 – 8:30 p.m.: Eucharistic adoration at Sacred Heart Church
Friday, July 12 – Effingham and Teutopolis
8:30 a.m.: Adoration and procession beginning at HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital
9:30 a.m.: Mass at St. Anthony of Padua Church
10:45 – 11:30 a.m.: Eucharistic procession and adoration at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Teutopolis
Frequently asked questions
What is a Eucharistic procession?
Why should I participate?
Attending a Eucharistic procession can be a meaningful and spiritually enriching experience. The Eucharistic procession is a form of worship and adoration where believers express their reverence for the Blessed Sacrament. It is an opportunity to deepen your connection with God and reflect on the significance of the Eucharist in your life. Participating in a procession can also foster a sense of community and fellowship, providing you an opportunity to share in the spiritual journey with others. It’s also an opportunity to publicly proclaim your faith in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
Do I have to register?
Yes, please register if you are attending any of the processions, Masses, witness talks, and/or dinners. Go to dio.org/procession, and click on the FAQ question “Do I have to register?” There, you find a link to register for the events you wish to participate.
Will Jesus be exposed in the monstrance the whole time?
Jesus will be exposed for the majority of the Eucharistic Pilgrimage. For the long stretches that we are walking, priests/deacons will carry Jesus in the monstrance. However, due to distance and weather considerations, there will be stretches where the monstrance will be driven, during which Jesus will be placed in a traveling tabernacle.
Can I volunteer?
Thank you for your interest in volunteering! Please contact the parish that is hosting the procession in each city to see how you can volunteer.
Anything else I should know?
Wear comfortable clothing and shoes and pack a water bottle and snacks if you are walking in the procession.
Visit our website, https://dio.org/procession/