June 18, 2026

The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage arrives in Stockbridge

REGIONAL
Story and photo by Carolee McGrath

STOCKBRIDGE — The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, entitled One Nation Under God, arrived at the National Shrine of the Divine Mercy in Stockbridge, Thursday, June 18 as the first stop in Massachusetts. Close to 300 people joined in the outdoor procession. The Seven Sorrows of Mary were prayed along the route, and the weather held out long enough to finish the procession. The pilgrims then went inside the shrine for a Holy Hour, Rosary for Life, Mass and the praying of the Divine Mercy Chaplet.

The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, which will visit the Diocese of Springfield June 18-20, is in honor of the 250^th birthday of the founding of the United States. A spiritual journey, it began on Pentecost Sunday, May 24, in St. Augustine, Florida, near the site where the first Catholic Mass was celebrated in what later would become the United States.

The journey is being made by nine Perpetual Pilgrims, all young adults, traveling by van up the East Coast. On their stops in most of the 13 original colonies, local dioceses have been planning processions, Masses and events. The pilgrimage will conclude in Philadelphia Independence Day weekend.

“This pilgrimage is so important number one, because of the nature of the pilgrimage. They are not just walking by themselves. They are walking with Jesus, right? God with us, Emmanuel. It is a very surreal thing to think about that. The Jesus that walked the earth and walked with the disciples, he’s the same Jesus. He’s as present with the pilgrimage group especially with those young adults. He’s walking with them,” said Marian Father Mark Baron, the director of the Association of Marian Helpers.

The pilgrimage will next go to St. Michael’s Cathedral in Springfield for the “Ignite” event from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday evening.

Go to diospringfield.org for the complete schedule.