Thousands of Catholics converged at the United States’ National World War I Memorial in Kansas City last weekend to worship the Eucharist. Held 83 years to the day since the city’s first Eucharistic congress at the same location on May 4, 1941, “Behold KC” is one of many events held this year as part of local participation in the National Eucharistic Revival.
Being a Kansas Citian, I was impressed but not surprised at the turnout: Catholics around here really show up in a big way for Eucharistic processions, and you’re generally never more than 10 minutes away from a 24-hour adoration chapel in the metro area.
Next weekend is the launch of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage. While reviewing the demanding but impressive schedule for each of the routes coming from the north, south, east and west, I wish I could bilocate to witness some of the many beautiful expressions of faith that I know will occur.
Happily, OSV News will be covering each of the launch events in Minnesota, Texas, California and Connecticut for those who cannot be there. We also will have coverage along the routes as the pilgrims make their way across the nation to Indiana for the July 17-21 National Eucharistic Congress (along with coverage of the congress, of course).
This week, we published four overviews highlighting unique elements along the pilgrimage routes among other things — find these and more below in this week’s Showcase.
Megan Marley
Digital Editor
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National Eucharistic Pilgrimage pilgrims walk among American saints on Eastern route
By boats, over bridges and along byways, pilgrims on the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage’s eastern route will accompany the Eucharist to many sites associated with America’s saints as they make their way across eight states and the District of Columbia.
City named for body of Christ, Alabama shrine and Kentucky’s Trappist monastery on southern route
The Gulf Coast, Deep South and the Blue Ridge Mountains set the backdrop for the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage’s St. Juan Diego Route, which launches from the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas and goes through Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky and Indiana.
National Eucharistic Pilgrimage’s Marian Route includes major landmarks dedicated to Mary
Major cities and country parishes alike are preparing for the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage’s Marian Route to make its way over the course of eight weeks through the Midwest, from northern Minnesota through Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana.
Mountains, valleys and plains mark National Eucharistic Pilgrimage’s Serra Route
Mountains, valleys and plains mark the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage’s St. Junipero Serra Route, which pilgrims will traverse over the course of eight weeks from California to Indiana.
Religious freedom among values threatened by world media, experts say at conference
The need for quality journalism and media ethics is increasingly high, experts underlined at the academic conference “Media for Man” organized by Pontifical University of John Paul II in Krakow, Poland. “I’m both thrilled and terrified with a great interest in media ethics’ topics over the last few years,” said Katarzyna Drag, professor of communications at the Pontifical University of John Paul II in Krakow and organizer of the conference. “I’m thrilled because media ethics is an important and fundamental part of journalism. And terrified, because this increased interest is a consequence of bad practices that are spreading more and more in the media.”
Catholic Rural Life marks a century and plans to sow spiritual seeds for another 100 years
For the past 100 years, Catholic Rural Life has ministered to Catholics who live and work in a rural setting. Although it now has members in 45 states, CRL began with just one man.
Proposed abortion ballot measures in several states move closer to qualifying for November
Abortion advocates in at least 15 states are seeking to qualify ballot measures for November that would enshrine abortion protections in law or their state constitutions, and some efforts recently got a step closer.
Fertility decline a complex trend beyond any one policy solution, economists say
The U.S. fertility rate has slowed to a new record low, according to an analysis recently published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But experts said there does not appear to be any one policy that could reverse a complex trend.
Union with God in ‘The Living Flame of Love’
BOOK REVIEW: “The Living Flame of Love” is a poem written by the 16th-century Spanish mystic St. John of the Cross with beautiful, fiery imagery to describe a soul’s perfect union with God.
Focolare addresses overcoming polarization, promoting fruitful dialogue in this election year
FEATURE: The Focolare movement — the “Work of Mary” founded by Chiara Lubich — is partnering with national and international peacekeeping initiatives to overcome polarization and practice fruitful dialogue during the 2024 election year.
Catholic Olympic champion swimmer awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
Adding another distinguished medal to her already sizable collection, Katie Ledecky — the most decorated woman in swimming history — was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom on May 3 in a White House ceremony.
Texas attorney general revives attempt to shut down Catholic nonprofit serving migrants
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s effort to shut down Annunciation House comes as some Republican lawmakers have grown increasingly hostile toward nongovernmental organizations, including Catholic ones, that provide resources such as food and shelter to migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Congreso Eucarístico Nacional en Indianápolis: Oportunidad de unirnos como hermanos y hermanas en torno al Señor | NEC programming in Spanish brings an opportunity to unite around the Lord
“El Congreso va a ofrecer misas en español, charlas en español” y las charlas en inglés se traducirán al español, aseguró Jaime Reyna, el responsable de multiculturalidad e inclusividad del congreso. | The 10th National Eucharistic Congress will be filled with opportunities to “come together in faith, as brothers and sisters,” and grow in love for Jesus in the Eucharist, said Jaime Reyna, who is responsible for the congress’ multiculturalism and inclusiveness. Many of these opportunities will be available in Spanish.
University of Mary’s community for student moms celebrates its first graduate
When Katie Chihoski walked the graduation stage at the University of Mary April 27, she was holding both her hard-earned bachelor’s degree in social work and her 18-month-old daughter Lucia. She is the first graduate of the St. Teresa of Calcutta Community for Mothers, a program that the Benedictine school launched in January 2023, which offers free child care, room and board and other resources to young women facing unexpected pregnancies as they pursue their degrees.
Cincinnati archbishop and Catholic radio host seek prayers amid cancer battles
Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr of Cincinnati is beginning a six-month treatment plan after a May 3 diagnosis of stage 3 small bowel cancer. Catholic radio host Al Kresta is also seeking prayers following a diagnosis of liver cancer on May 3.
New York attorney general sues pro-life groups over abortion pill reversal process
New York Attorney General Letitia James sued Heartbeat International and 11 crisis pregnancy centers May 6, accusing them of misleading and potentially causing harm to women by claiming that they can provide a treatment that reverses the effect of the abortion pill mifepristone.
Hope in a Wounded Church
GUEST COMMENTARY: The first of a three part series by abuse survivor and advocate Teresa Pitt Green looking at the impact of abuse within the church and the path towards hope and healing.
Jubilee countdown: Preparations for 2025 Holy Year move into high gear
CNS ROME BACKGROUNDER: “The time has come for a new Jubilee when once more the Holy Door will be flung open to invite everyone to an intense experience of the love of God that awakens in hearts the sure hope of salvation in Christ,” Pope Francis said in a document formally proclaiming the Holy Year 2025 on May 9.
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