National Eucharistic Pilgrimage Comes to Iowa

The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage is a truly unique initiative. This is something NEW—a beautiful fusion of the journey TO Jesus and the journey WITH Jesus. What’s more, it is an adventure that all Catholics can do together, either by interior disposition or physical accompaniment. The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage will not only be undertaken by Perpetual Pilgrims (those who commit themselves to making the entire journey). All Catholics are invited to participate in this massive “Eucharistic Caravan.”

From June 23 - June 25, this National Pilgrimage will be making it's way through the Diocese of Des Moines along the St. Junipero Serra Route. During these 3 days you are invited to journey with Jesus in the Eucharistic processions, celebrate Mass, and participate in Holy Hours and overnight adoration.

You are invited to attend as many events as you interested in and able to. All events are FREE to attend, but registration is encouraged to allow parishes to plan for food at lunch/dinner and overall attendance.

Register

Pilgrimage Schedule

View the full schedule by day below or download a printable version here. An ASL interpreter will be provided at all Masses and Holy Hours.

Sunday, June 23, 2024

There will be a trolley along the Omaha-Council Bluffs route with stops at St. Cecilia Cathedral, St. John's at Creighton, River's Edge Pavilion, and Corpus Christi.

The trolley service will run continuously between the stops starting at 11 AM and ending at 5:30 PM.

Download Trolley Route

1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

Bilingual Sunday Mass in Council Bluffs
Tom Hanafan River's Edge Park, 4200 Avenue B, Council Bluffs, IA 51501

 Join us for the celebration of Sunday Mass at Tom Hanafan River's Edge Park, 4200 Avenue B, Council Bluffs, IA 51501. Music will be in both English and Spanish. 

 

1:45 PM - 3:00 PM 

Eucharistic Procession from Nebraska into Iowa
St. John's Parish at Creighton University, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE 68178

Join us for a Eucharistic Procession as the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage makes a formal transition from the state of Nebraska into the state of Iowa, passing from the Archdiocese of Omaha into the Diocese of Des Moines.

START LOCATION:
St. John's Parish at Creighton University, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE 68178

END LOCATION:
Tom Hanafan River's Edge Park, 4200 Avenue B, Council Bluffs, IA 51501

EVENT INSTRUCTIONS:
Please bring a refillable water bottle and your own snacks if planning to process with us.

 

3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Eucharistic Procession to Corpus Christi
Tom Hanafan River's Edge Park - Missouri River, End Of Avenue B, Council Bluffs, IA 51501

Join us as Bishop Lucas from the Archdiocese of Omaha hands Jesus in the monstrance to Bishop Joensen of the Diocese of Des Moines. The Eucharistic Procession will then continue onward to Corpus Christi Catholic Church (approximately 1 mile procession).

START LOCATION:
Tom Hanafan River's Edge Park - Missouri River, End Of Avenue B, Council Bluffs, IA 51501

END LOCATION:
Corpus Christi Catholic Church - 3304 4th Ave, Council Bluffs, IA 51501

EVENT INSTRUCTIONS:
Please bring a water bottle and your own snacks (if desired) if planning to process with us. 

Download Printable Map

 

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Fellowship Dinner in Council Bluffs
Corpus Christi Catholic Church - 3304 4th Ave, Council Bluffs, IA 51501

Join us for dinner for participants served at Corpus Christi parish. This meal and fellowship time will precede evening events.

 

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM 

Holy Hour with Benediction at Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi Catholic Church - 3304 4th Ave, Council Bluffs, IA 51501

Join us for a Holy Hour of Eucharistic Adoration with Benediction at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Council Bluffs. Our prayer time will include evening prayer and a reflection talk.

 

7:00 PM - 8:00 AM

Overnight Adoration at Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi Catholic Church - 3304 4th Ave, Council Bluffs, IA 51501

There will be all-night Adoration with the Blessed Sacrament available at Corpus Christi in Council Bluffs, IA.


Monday, June 24, 2024
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Holy Mass at Corpus Christi (Council Bluffs, IA)
Corpus Christi Catholic Church - 3304 4th Ave, Council Bluffs, IA 51501

 Join us for the celebration of the Holy Mass.

 

9:15 AM - 12:45 PM

Eucharistic Procession
Intersection between Wabash Avenue and Wabash Trace Nature Trail, Council Bluffs, IA 51503

This Eucharistic Procession will be approximately 8 miles. The trail is not easily accessible by motor vehicle, so participants will need to be able to walk the full 10 miles.

Immediately after Mass at Corpus Christi, the Blessed Sacrament will be driven to the Wabash Trace Nature Trail and the procession toward Holy Rosary parish will begin from there. The procession will continued toward Mineola and then the Eucharistic Caravan will drive to Glenwood for lunch and prayer. Please secure your own transportation to and from the procession starting and ending points.

START LOCATION:
Intersection between Wabash Avenue and Wabash Trace Nature Trail 51503

END LOCATION:
Mineola, Iowa 51554

EVENT INSTRUCTIONS:
To join the procession, people would need to get themselves to the corner of Wabash Avenue and Wabash Trace Nature Trail. The procession will head towards Mineola. Once we arrive near Mineola, the Blessed Sacrament will be driven towards Holy Rosary. All participants who join should secure their own transportation from Mineola to Holy Rosary or a way home from there. We also ask that all members of the public bring their own water bottle and snacks (if desired) for the procession.

Download Printable Route

 

1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Fellowship Lunch in Glenwood
Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church - 24116 Marian Ave, Glenwood, IA 51534

Lunch will be served at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church after the Blessed Sacrament arrives in the van of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage. We look forward to sharing a meal and fellowship time with you.

 

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Holy Hour with Benediction
Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church - 24116 Marian Ave, Glenwood, IA 51534

After lunch, join us for a Holy Hour with Benediction at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church. This will include daytime prayer and a reflection.

 

5:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Fellowship Dinner in Imogene
Saint Patrick Parish - 304 3rd St, Imogene, IA 51645

Dinner for participants will be served at St. Patrick parish. Food and fellowship will precede evening events. This will also be a chance to meet the Perpetual Pilgrims of the Serra Route of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage.

 

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Holy Hour with Benediction
Saint Patrick Parish - 304 3rd St, Imogene, IA 51645

You are welcome to join us for a Holy Hour with Benediction at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Imogene. This will include evening prayer and a reflection.

 

7:30 PM - 9:45 PM

Easter Rising Irish Band
Saint Patrick Parish - 304 3rd St, Imogene, IA 51645

Following the Holy Hour and speaker stick around for the music stylings of Easter Rising! Easter Rising is an Irish Folk band specializing in traditional Irish tunes with a mix of classic rock hits.

 

9:45 PM Fireworks

Saint Patrick Parish - 304 3rd St, Imogene, IA 51645

 
7:00 PM - 9:00 AM

Overnight Adoration at St. Patrick (Imogene)
Saint Patrick Parish - 304 3rd St, Imogene, IA 51645

There will be all-night Adoration with the Blessed Sacrament available at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Imogene. 


Tuesday, June 25, 2024
9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Mass with Bishop Joensen at St. Patrick
Saint Patrick Parish - 304 3rd St, Imogene, IA 51645

Join us for the celebration of Mass with Bishop Joensen presiding at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Imogene, IA.

 

10:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Solemn Eucharistic Procession
Saint Patrick Parish - 304 3rd St, Imogene, IA 51645

This is a 1-mile Solemn Eucharistic Procession leaving St. Patrick's Church in Imogene to head towards St. Mary's Church in Shenandoah.

START LOCATION:
Saint Patrick Parish - 304 3rd St, Imogene, IA 51645

END LOCATION:
Corner of Wabash Trace Nature Trail and 120th Street

EVENT INSTRUCTIONS:
After Mass, this short procession will go south from St. Patrick's Church in Imogene towards St. Mary's using the Wabash Trace Nature Trail. The procession will stop at the intersection of the trail and 120th Street.

Download Printable Route

 

11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Holy Hour with Benediction
St. Mary's Parish - 512 W Thomas Ave, Shenandoah, IA 51601

You are welcome to join us for a Holy Hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament with Benediction. This will include daytime prayer and a reflection.

 

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Fellowship Lunch at St. Mary's Parish
St. Mary's Parish - 512 W Thomas Ave, Shenandoah, IA 51601

Lunch will be served at St. Mary's parish right after the Holy Hour. We look forward to having you join us for food and fellowship with the Perpetual Pilgrims from the Serra Route of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage before they depart Iowa for their next stop.


Preparing for the Pilgrimage

Are you ready for the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage? Look below for more information on organizing a group, general FAQs, and resources on promoting this event within your parish.

Information for Groups

Are you a parish looking to organize a large group or youth group? Contact John Huynh to get connected with local parishes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Click below to find detailed answers to the questions we hear most often about the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage.

Promotional Resources for Parishes

Download flyers, bulletin inserts, and more for your parish to use to promote this historical event.

Printable Procession Routes

Download printable versions of the planned routes for the three Eucharistic Processions.

About the Eucharistic Revival

The National Eucharistic Revival is a movement to restore understanding and devotion to this great mystery here in the United States by helping us renew our worship of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.