June 21, 2026

National Eucharistic Pilgrimage arrives at St. Stanislaus Basilica

REGIONAL
Story and photo by Kathleen Harrington

CHICOPEE- The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage van arrived at St. Stanislaus Bishop and Martyr Basilica late Friday morning, June 19. Inside, the faithful were reciting the rosary for the country in English and Polish. Activities began there immediately after the 6:30 a.m. Mass with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and confessions. All morning, people entered the church to join the prayers. Once the rosary was completed, the Blessed Sacrament was reposed and a large procession of priests and deacons entered.

Filling the pews were faithful from across the Diocese of Springfield including a group from St. Mary High School in Westfield, Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Assisi and Missionaries of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Some members of St. Stanislaus wore traditional Polish clothing.

The Mass was celebrated in English and in Polish. In his homily, Conventual Franciscan Father Brad Milunski, OFM Conv. spoke about “Amen” explaining that in Hebrew the word means faith, belief, being faithful, reliable. “It is our response to the Eucharist at Communion, saying ‘Yes’ to His true presence.”

Quoting from a letter from St. Francis of Assisi to his entire order, Father Milunski said, “Let everyone be struck with fear, let the whole world tremble, and let the heavens exult when Christ, the Son of the living God, is present on the altar in the hands of a priest.”

Immediately following the close of the Mass, the Blessed Sacrament was returned to the monstrance and the eucharistic procession began. Lead by two Franciscan Missionary Sisters of Assisi, the congregation flowed out of the basilica to the sidewalk. Holding tight to the canopy, Father Milunski carried the monstrance as the procession headed around the block. Singing in English and in Polish and accompanied by two men playing accordions, the procession of people of all ages continued around the neighborhood of the basilica.

Completing the eucharistic procession, a member of St. Stanislaus stopped to comment.

“It was beautiful,” said Virginia (who didn’t share her last name.) “It was truly Polish, our Polish heritage,” she said.

After the stop at St. Stanislaus, the pilgrims headed to the Polish Center of Discovery and Learning for a luncheon followed by a meet and greet with the faithful. By late afternoon, the pilgrimage headed to Franklin County and a stop at St. Patrick Parish in Northfield.