National Eucharistic Pilgrimage to be held in Loretto, Johnstown

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A public proclamation of Jesus’ presence in the Eucharistic is making its way to the area.

The Altoona-Johnstown Roman Catholic Diocese will participate in National Eucharistic Pilgrimage when it comes through Loretto June 9 and Johnstown June 10.

The pilgrimage is being organized in conjunction with a three-year long Eucharistic Revival campaign led by U.S. Catholic bishops with the plan to rededicate the country to Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.

“They said they really needed to focus on evangelization and sharing the good news and who we are as Catholics, and one of the things that we’ve focused on was the Eucharist,” said the Very Rev. Matthew Baum, rector of St. John Gualbert Cathedral in downtown Johnstown.

The pilgrimage recently began from four origin points – San Francisco in the west; Bemidji, Minnesota, in the north; New Haven, Connecticut, in the east; and Brownsville, Texas, in the south.

Along the way, pilgrims are making stops in cities, churches, Catholic colleges and holy sites.

Parishes along the routes will host Mass, adoration, devotions, praise and worship and lectures on the Eucharist.

“There is a group of 15 perpetual pilgrims who are in the core group that is going from town to town,” Baum said. “In each town, everybody gathers and there’s a large Eucharistic procession through town so that everyone sees and we publicly witness to our faith.”

The four pilgrimages will converge July 16 in Indianapolis to participate in the National Eucharistic Congress.

“This is the big capstone of this three-year revival,” Baum said.

From 5 to 7 p.m. June 9, confessions will be held at the Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel and Our Lady of the Alleghenies Shrine in Loretto.

An outdoor Mass will be held at 7 p.m. at Our Lady of the Alleghenies Shrine with the Most Rev. Mark L. Bartchak, bishop of the Altoona-Johnstown Roman Catholic Diocese, as celebrant.

At 8 p.m., a procession around the grounds with be held, followed by a witness talk by one of the national pilgrims and Benediction.

From noon to 3 p.m. June 10, confessions will be held at St. John Gaulbert Cathedral, 117 Clinton St. in downtown Johnstown.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament will be offered from noon to 4 p.m. at the cathedral, with vespers at 3:45 p.m.

At 4 p.m., there will be a Eucharistic procession from the cathedral to Central Park where there will be witness talks by two national pilgrims.

A Mass will be celebrated at 5:30 p.m. at the cathedral by Bartchak.

Additional events will be held June 11 in Altoona and Duncansville.

“Of all of the events we’re doing in this diocese, the Johnstown gathering is targeted for the public,” Baum said.

“Having it at Central Park is an opportunity for the wider community to look over and see what’s happening, what it’s all about and hear this kind of testimony.”

He said the hope is participants will experience a renewed devotion to the Eucharist and a sense of the larger church.

“I’m hoping people get an opportunity to participate along with other parishes in a public witness to our faith,” Baum said. “We can say here is what we’re doing and we’re sharing our faith publicly.”

For more information, visit www.dioceseaj.org/eucharistic-pilgrimage/.