Eucharistic Pilgrimage Hosted By St. Cloud Diocese This Week

(KNSI) – The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage is currently cutting through central Minnesota.

The Marian Route winds to Indianapolis through the northern states. Four processions are set in total, one from each direction. The Marian procession began on Sunday, May 19th, at Lake Itasca and is now walking across the St. Cloud Diocese.

Wednesday saw stops in Mora and Gilman. On Thursday, the group started in Little Falls in the morning and drove to Long Prairie for eucharistic adoration. It then moved to Sauk Centre for several events and will wrap up at St. Mary’s Cathedral in St. Cloud beginning at 4:30 p.m.

The welcome procession will be followed by a family adoration at 5:00 and a fellowship dinner at 6:00. An educational talk will be followed by overnight praise. More activities are scheduled for Friday, and the entire local Catholic community is invited to take part.

Roads between St. Cloud and Clear Lake could be busier than normal on Friday, but it’s not from cars or due to the Memorial Day weekend. A six-hour walk from St. Mary’s Cathedral to St. Marcus Church in Clear Lake is planned.

The ten-mile caravan will use county roads only, but food and restroom breaks planned could slow the group at points. Drivers should consider the activity between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

A link to register for any of the free public events is here. The activities are the keystone for the Church’s 2024 focus on the Eucharist. The ceremony is based on Jesus Christ’s final supper. Catholics believe that Communion transforms regular bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ. Eucharist means thanksgiving. It is seen as one of the Church’s most sacred traditions and brings believers closer to God.

The procession will continue through Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois before arriving in Indianapolis for the National Eucharistic Congress in July. Learn more here.

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