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Eight individuals, known as "perpetual pilgrims," are preparing for a significant journey from Indianapolis to Los Angeles as part of the second National Eucharistic Pilgrimage. This event is scheduled from May 18 to June 22, and the participants include college students and young professionals from various states.
The pilgrims will follow the Drexel Route, traversing through ten states and twenty-one dioceses while accompanying the Eucharist. Their itinerary includes stops at parishes and other locations for Mass, Eucharistic processions, adoration, prayer, and charitable activities.
The group consists of Arthur “Ace” Acuña from Las Vegas, studying chemical and biological engineering at Princeton University; Stephen Fuhrmann from Texas, studying agricultural business at Texas A&M University; Johnathan Silvino Hernandez-Jose from Fort Wayne, Indiana; Cheyenne Johnson from Florida, director of Catholic campus ministry at Butler University in Indianapolis; Rachel Levy from Indiana, working in young adult ministry for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis; Charlie McCullough, a mechanical engineer in Austin, Texas; Leslie Reyes-Hernandez from Illinois, a math teacher in Phoenix; and Frances Webber from Virginia, a college senior in Minnesota.
Charlie McCullough participated as a perpetual pilgrim on last year's Juan Diego Route through the southern United States and will help lead this summer's pilgrimage. Jason Shanks, president of National Eucharistic Congress Inc., which organizes the pilgrimage, stated that over 130 people applied to be perpetual pilgrims this year. "We selected the final eight for their deep love of our Eucharistic Lord," he said.
The first National Eucharistic Pilgrimage took place in 2024 with thirty pilgrims traveling four routes that converged in Indianapolis ahead of the National Eucharistic Congress. This year's pilgrimage features a single route named after St. Katharine Drexel.
Shanks expressed hope that participants would gain "a renewed heart of the Eucharist" during their journey. The focus is on "Eucharistic hope and healing" in honor of Pope Francis' Jubilee Year of Hope.
Prayer requests can be submitted online at eucharisticpilgrimage.org for the pilgrims to carry with them on their journey.
Maria Wiering reports for OSV News.
