Celebration Linked to 250 Years of American Freedom
In June, a pilgrimage along the East Coast will traverse the Archdiocese of Baltimore, fostering meaningful sacramental encounters with Christ through the Eucharist. This journey will feature a series of processions, community events, and service projects.
Both Catholics and those of other faiths are warmly invited to join the pilgrims from June 9 to June 11, making stops in Baltimore, Annapolis, and Western Maryland.
The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage spans from Florida to Maine and will conclude in Philadelphia over the Fourth of July weekend. This year’s pilgrimage aims to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. With the theme “One Nation Under God,” the mission is to rekindle the spirit of the Church by encouraging Catholics to deepen their love and devotion to Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.
Archbishop William E. Lori is excited to welcome the pilgrims to the historic Archdiocese of Baltimore, the first Catholic diocese in the United States, established in 1789. The diocese covers the City of Baltimore as well as Allegany, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Harford, Howard, and Washington counties.
Archbishop Lori reflects on the significance of the nation’s independence as both a moment of grace and a call to responsibility.
“Anniversaries should not just be seen as times for reflection or celebration,” he emphasized. “True remembrance should lead us toward renewal. At the center of this reflection lies a fundamental truth that the Church constantly proclaims: The true meaning and dignity of a person can only be found in Jesus Christ.”
“Our discussions on politics, culture, unity, and civic duties must begin and end with Christ, who illuminates both the dignity of humanity and the route to true freedom,” he added.
A detailed schedule of public events will be made available on www.archbalt.org in the weeks leading up to the pilgrims’ arrival in June.
The pilgrims will set off from the Archdiocese of Baltimore on June 11, departing from Annapolis on their way to the Diocese of Wilmington.
This year’s pilgrimage follows previous events in 2024 and 2025 that were organized under the National Eucharistic Revival initiative. This year’s route is dedicated to St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, the first American to be canonized as a saint. A national survey conducted in January by Vinea Research indicates that the National Eucharistic Revival has shifted the focus of Catholic clergy toward acknowledging the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, positively influencing faith and outreach within the Church.
For further information regarding the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, please visit EucharisticPilgrimage.org.
