For the first time since before World War II, a Eucharistic Congress is being held in the United States. As part of that historic gathering, more than 500 people are expected to gather in Whiting, Indiana, Monday July 1st at 6:30 PM to welcome the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage into Indiana, culminating in a procession through the city to the shores of Lake Michigan.
The event marks the entrance of National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, a series of four routes from across the US, and spanning a combined distance of 6,500 miles through cities, along highways, mountain ranges, and rural towns. Each pilgrimage route is accompanied by a consistent group of “perpetual pilgrims,” and a priest chaplain. The routes terminate in Indianapolis where the United States Catholic Bishops will hold the 10th National Eucharistic Congress July 17-21.
Bishop Robert McClory of the Diocese of Gary will lead the procession and benediction beginning at 6:30 PM to the Whiting Lakefront from St. Mary Byzantine Catholic Church 2011 Clark St. in Whiting accompanied by the hundreds of worshippers.
The detailed schedule for the event is as follows:
July 1
12 p.m. St. Mary’s welcomes Eucharistic Pilgrimage.
12- 6 p.m. Church open for prayer with Confessions in English and Spanish
6 p.m. Prayer in the Byzantine Tradition
Speaker: Mike Aquilina, award-winning author and broadcaster
Title: “Like Lions Breathing Fire: Early Christians and the Eucharist”
6:30 p.m. Procession through Whiting
7:30 p.m. Benediction with Bishop McClory at Whiting Lakefront Park
7:45 p.m. Music, fellowship, and dancing
Learn more about the Pilgrimage at www.eucharisticpilgrimage.org
The event is co-sponsored by the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Parma, the Diocese of Gary, Notre Dame Federal Credit Union, The Whiting Robertsdale Catholic Community, Sacred Heart Church and the Whiting Knights of Columbus.
For Media inquiries, contact Fr. Andrew Summerson at (216) 212-0295 or frasummerson@parma.org