EMMITSBURG, Md. (OSV News) — On June 6, Jesus Christ was passing through Emmitsburg — an experience that gave a glimpse into the life-changing encounter behind the Maryland town’s famous saint.
Winding for almost 2 miles through the streets of the historic Maryland town — founded in 1785, tucked in the folds of a surrounding mountain ridge, and sprinkled with picturesque 18th- and 19th-century brick and clapboard architecture — Jesus in the Eucharist was held aloft, in rotation, in a shining gold monstrance carried by Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori and several priests as the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage reached its 20th day.
From routes north, south, east and west, small groups of young people and clergy in Eucharistic procession with Christ are on their way to converge on Indianapolis for the July 17-21 10th National Eucharistic Congress. These “perpetual pilgrims” have been joined by local “Eucharistic caravans” for portions of their journey, part of the U.S. bishops’ three-year National Eucharistic Revival aimed at reviving Catholic belief in Jesus’ real presence in the Eucharist.