Participants of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage trust in the grace of God on their journey through the United States

In the middle of a walk of more than 27 kilometers through the hot streets of the city of New Jersey (United States), Dominic Carstens was understandably tired and a little grumpy by his own admission. But then he looked at the golden monstrance the group was carrying, which contained the Eucharist, and his perspective changed.

Remembering Jesus’ painful journey to his death at Calvary, “my attitude about what I was doing completely changed,” said Carstens, a college student who hikes the eastern Seton Trail, during a news conference Nov. 5. June.

“It was a wonderful reminder, with Jesus present, of what Jesus did for us.”

Carstens is one of the perpetual pilgrims who accompany Jesus in the Eucharist throughout the entire journey. Collectively, the young pilgrims, whose ranks have recently grown to 30 with the addition of several seminarians, will walk more than 10,400 kilometers along four routes, as part of the ongoing National Eucharistic Pilgrimage.

Since the start of the pilgrimages in mid-May, pilgrims have invited thousands of people, young and old, to join them along the way as a public witness to the Catholic Church’s teaching that the Eucharist is truly the body of Jesus Christ. The four pilgrimage groups will gather in Indianapolis for the National Eucharistic Congress, July 17-21.

Beginning June 6, the western Serra Route will enter the Denver area; the northern Mariana Trail caravan will soon leave Minnesota and enter Wisconsin; the Seton Trail is near Baltimore; and the southern route from Juan Diego approaches New Orleans.

The pilgrims who relayed their experiences so far during the June 5 press conference spoke about how they have seen Christ’s presence in the Eucharist have an effect on those who watch them pass by.

Carstens recounted how the Seton Route passed through Kensington, an area of ​​Philadelphia known for its high prevalence of drug use. During this section, youth from local high schools helped the procession by carrying items such as candles and canopies, he said, and this and other challenging sections of the route have made participants “very confident in God’s grace.” He also said that it has been powerful for him to realize that Jesus is “chasing” so many people who have encountered pilgrimages directly in the places where they live.

“We have to bring Jesus to the poor, where he really likes to be,” Carstens said. “Christ always liked to be with the poor.”

Mason Bailey and Blase Gebes, both seminarians and Marian Route walkers, said the experience of seeing “people coming to Jesus” so far has “encouraged” their vocations and given them ample stories and experiences to use in future homilies. , if God continues to call them to the priesthood.

“Little things like that can go a long way in getting men to start thinking about the priesthood again,” Bailey said, reflecting on the involvement of many young men from youth groups along the routes.

“There can be no Eucharistic revival without a revival of the priesthood. I believe we will see the fruits in the coming years.”

Shayla Elm, a pilgrim on the Juan Diego Route, spoke about the many cases of “childlike” faith she has witnessed. A little parish girl kissed her own hand and touched the monstrance when she found out she was Jesus, Elm said. She also said that a woman they met claims that she has been healed of a knee condition after participating in the pilgrimage.

Catholics across the United States are encouraged to register to join the pilgrims on short sections of the pilgrimages and numerous other special events hosted by their local dioceses.

Translated and adapted by the ACI Prensa team. Originally published in CNA.