Bishop Zubik welcomes pilgrims at Mass on 1,200-mile pilgrimage

Bishop David Zubik will celebrate Mass at Saint Paul Cathedral on June 16 for Catholic pilgrims who are carrying the Blessed Sacrament on foot from New Haven, Conn., to the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis.

The pilgrims are passing through the Diocese of Pittsburgh June 12-19, participating in Masses and events at local parishes. A list is below. The public is welcome at all events, including the cathedral celebration.

About 15 pilgrims are walking the entire 1,200-mile route of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage. Among them is Christoph Bernas, a seminarian from the Diocese of Pittsburgh. This group of “perpetual pilgrims” will be joined by local Catholics for shorter local pilgrimages and as much of the longer route as they want to walk. The pilgrims will reach the National Eucharistic Congress for its July 17 opening.

“These pilgrims are praying for our cities and towns as they pass along the way with the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist blessing our communities,” Bishop David Zubik said. “Everyone is encouraged to join them at a Mass, in eucharistic adoration or in the procession.”

Both the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage and the National Eucharistic Congress are part of a three-year National Eucharistic Revival, to renew the faith of Catholics that Jesus is physically present – not merely spiritually or symbolically present – in the consecrated elements of Holy Communion. This is a core belief of the Catholic Church.

A van, which follows the pilgrims for support and safety, will carry them between local events that are too far apart for them to reach in time on foot.
 
Pope Francis has granted a plenary indulgence to those who either participate in part of the pilgrimage, or who join with it in prayer if they are unable to do so physically. To receive the indulgence, they must go to confession, receive the Eucharist and pray for the intentions of the pope. The indulgence may be applied to oneself or to someone else, including souls in purgatory.

These are the events in the Diocese of Pittsburgh:

Thursday, June 13, 2024
Spanish/English Holy Hour at Saint Catherine of Siena Church of Saint Teresa of Kolkata Parish, Beechview, (1810 Belasco Ave., Pittsburgh, 15126), 6:30-7:30 p.m., followed immediately by reception.

Friday, June 14, 2024
Mass at Saint Catherine of Siena Church, Beechview (see above), 8:45-9:15 a.m.

Eucharistic procession (1.8 miles) starting at Saint Catherine of Siena Church (see above), ending at Saint Bernard Church of Saint Michael the Archangel Parish, Mount Lebanon (311 Washington Rd., Pittsburgh  PA, 15216, 9:30-11:45 a.m., followed immediately by Benediction in Saint Bernard Church.

Members of Holy Trinity Ukrainian Catholic Parish will sing the Akathist Prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary in Saint Bernard Church (see above) 5:30-6:15 p.m.

Holy Hour at Saint Bernard Church (see above) 6:30-7:30 p.m., followed immediately by a reception.

Saturday, June 15, 2024
Mass at Saint Mary of Mercy Church, Divine Mercy Parish, Downtown (202 Stanwix St., Pittsburgh, PA, 15222) 12-12:30 p.m.

Following Mass, the perpetual pilgrims will volunteer at the Red Door, a social outreach center for the poor and homeless, at Saint Mary of Mercy Church.

Sunday, June 16, 2024
Mass with Bishop David Zubik at Saint Paul Cathedral, Oakland (Fifth Ave. and Craig St., Pittsburgh, PA 15213) 12 noon.

Adoration at Saint Monica Church of Saint Augustine Parish (116 Thorndale Dr., Beaver Falls, PA 15010) 5-6 p.m., immediately followed by a picnic dinner.

Monday, June 17, 2024
Mass at Saint Blaise Church of Saint Augustine Parish (772 Ohio Ave., Midland, PA 15059) 7-7:30 a.m.
Eucharistic procession (15 miles) starting at Saint Blaise Church (see above) and ending at Saint Monica Catholic Academy (609 10th St., Beaver Falls, PA 15010) 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
Cookout reception at Saint Monica Academy (see above) 3-4 p.m.
Holy Hour at Saint Vitus Church of Holy Spirit Parish (910 Mercer St., New Castle, PA 16101) 6-7 p.m., followed immediately by a reception.

Tuesday, June 18, 2024
Mass at Saint Vitus Church (see above) 9-9:30 a.m.
Eucharistic Procession (1.1 miles) from Saint Vitus Church (see above) to Saint Mary Church of Holy Spirit Parish (124 N. Beaver St., New Castle, PA 16101) 9:45-11 a.m., followed immediately by lunch

Holy Hour at Holy Child Church of Corpus Christi Parish (212 Station St., Bridgeville, PA 15017) 5-6:30 p.m., followed immediately by dinner on the lawn.

Wednesday, June 19, 2024
Mass at Holy Child Church (see above) 7-7:30 a.m.
Eucharistic procession (1 mile) starting and ending at Holy Child Church (see above), 7:45-8:30 a.m., followed by a continental breakfast.

Eucharistic service and Rosary, Saint Joseph Cemetery (750 Old Thorn Run Rd., Moon, PA 15108) 2:30-3:15 p.m.

Holy Hour and Rosary, Saint Joseph Church of Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish (1304 4th Ave., Coraopolis, PA 15108) 5:30-6:40 p.m.

Mass at Saint Joseph Church (see above) 7-7:40 p.m., followed by reception and send-off dinner before pilgrimage departs for the Diocese of Steubenville.