National Eucharistic Pilgrimage events in Utah
(Editor’s note: This is the second story in the two-part series on the Utah leg of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, which was in the Diocese of Salt Lake City May 31-June 5. The first part of the series was published in the June 14 Intermountain Catholic.)
SALT LAKE CITY — The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, which began May 17, entered Utah from Idaho on May 31 and immediately embarked on a two-mile procession through Hyde Park. The procession ended at Saint Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, which hosted an all-night Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. (See story in the June 14 Intermountain Catholic.)
The pilgrimage is one of the final events of the three-year National Eucharistic Revival that began in 2022. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops called for the pilgrimage “to inspire and prepare the People of God to be formed, healed, converted, united, and sent out to a hurting and hungry world through a renewed encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist – the source and summit of our Catholic faith,” according to eucharisticrevival.org.
The national pilgrimage had four starting points, one at each of the cardinal directions of the continental United States. The St. Junipero Serra route, which came through Utah, started in San Francisco, Calif.
Following a day of rest in the Logan area, the national pilgrims traveled to Summit County, where they walked in procession along the Rail Trail. Entering Park City, they went to the Old Town Chapel, which hosted an hour of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Then hundreds of Catholics from parishes across Utah and other states participated in the four-mile Corpus Christi procession from the chapel to St. Mary of the Assumption Parish’s main church, singing and praying aloud along the way.
The largest National Eucharistic Pilgrimage event of all those in Utah, the Park City procession was led by First Communicants scattering rose petals, people carrying banners from other local parishes, a Knights of Columbus honor guard, members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem and a bagpiper.
The Most Rev. Gregory W. Gordon, STL, Auxiliary Bishop of Las Vegas, was among those who joined both processions in Summit County, and helped carry the monstrance in the longer one.
“I think everybody wanted to be a part of a segment of the [National Eucharistic Pilgrimage], even if it’s not crossing their diocese,” Bishop Gordon said. “I’m hoping that everyone who is on the procession with us experiences a renewed love for Jesus and the gift of his Body and Blood that he’s given to us, and that it’s strengthening them for all that he has in store for them as his missionary disciples.”
For himself, he hoped that the pilgrimage would lead him to “fall in love with the Lord even more deeply,” he said.
Lydia Thenayan of Dallas, Texas was another who came from out of state for the procession because it was important, she said.
Bishop Oscar A. Solis greeted the procession as it came into the church, then presided at the Mass.
“What a beautiful sight to see – the people processing, following the lead – and who else is in the lead? – Jesus Christ, present in the Blessed Sacrament,” the bishop said in his homily.
Many discouraging things are happening in the world, but “when we see Christ in the Eucharist, it lifts our hearts, it lifts our world, and gives the answer to the problems that beset our lives, especially those who do not believe in God,” he said, and urged those present to reflect on the importance of the Eucharist.
On June 3, a Eucharistic procession in conjunction with the national pilgrimage went from the Cathedral of the Madeleine to the St. Catherine of Siena Newman Center, which hosted Adoration with Vespers, then Mass. A presentation on St. Thomas Aquinas’ doctrine on the Eucharist followed.
The next day, the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage gathered at the Utah Tribal Plaza, a travel stop on the Uintah and Ouray Reservation, where Jerry C. Tapoof welcomed them on behalf of the tribe.
“It is an honor to do this,” said Tapoof, who is a spiritual leader of the Ute tribe.
Tapoof blessed the pilgrims, first in the Ute language, then in English. “Bless them, that they can have something good; when they’re sleeping at night, give them something good to dream; help them in their everyday struggles, whatever it might be,” he said in part.
Following the prayer, Tapoof lit a length of braided sweetgrass and walked with it around the pilgrims, blessing them with the smoke, which is a traditional Indian blessing. He then gave the sweetgrass to Madison Michel, one of the pilgrims.
“I give this to you, for your journey,” he said.
Receiving the sweetgrass took Michel off guard, she said. “I was just really moved by such a kind gesture, especially as we are … coming as total strangers into his life, his community.” She saw the gesture as one of unity, she said, adding that she was moved by the radical charity given to the pilgrims throughout their time on the reservation.
Singing and praying, the pilgrims then processed about eight-tenths of a mile to the Fort Duchesne Community Center, where Bishop Solis celebrated the Mass. Concelebrants were Father Francis Mary and Father John Paul, the two Franciscan Friars of the Renewal who were accompanying the pilgrimage that week.
“What we celebrate today in the midst of this Eucharistic pilgrimage is a votive Mass to the Blessed Sacrament,” Fr. Francis Mary said in his homily, and he urged those present to open all the gifts that God has given them.
Among those gifts are the Eucharist, the beauty of creation and the word of God, through which “he reveals to each of you, my brothers and sisters, that you are his beloved children; that even if you feel forsaken or broken in parts of your life, that he has not forgotten you; that he looks upon you with tenderness and love.”
Jesus understands each person’s suffering because of his own crucifixion, and “when we receive him in the Eucharist, it’s an opportunity to invite him in and say, ‘Jesus, I want you to come into the place where I don’t feel understood by anybody else.’”
In his closing remarks at the Mass, Bishop Solis said, “We are here because God calls us; that is the beautiful invitation that we receive every time we come to celebrate the Holy Eucharist,” which is “the greatest gift we could ever receive: Jesus himself.”
He also thanked the pilgrims “for accompanying us on this wonderful spiritual journey in order to recapture our belief in the Real Presence of God; in order to regain a sense of awe, wonder and reverence in this great sacrament.”
The events at the community center ended with a presentation on the history of the Ute Tribe by Shaun Chapoose, a former tribal councilman. The pilgrims then went to St. Helen Catholic Church in Roosevelt for lunch, where entertainment was provided by Hispanic parishioners.
Patricia Musich, president of the St. Helen’s Council of Catholic Women, said that she was overwhelmed to participate in the national event. “We are grateful and honored, and finally feel that we are part of this bigger, [national] Eucharistic revival in our little parish and our missions. It’s unbelievable,” she said, her voice choking with emotion.
At the luncheon, Betty Luna, a parishioner of St. James the Greater Parish, said she too appreciated being able to participate in the event. “Jesus is here with us,” she said. “We can do this for him.”
From St. Helen’s, the pilgrimage went to Vernal, where they walked two miles in the afternoon heat from Utah State University-Vernal to Saint James the Greater Catholic Church. About 50 people of all ages joined the Tuesday afternoon procession, which began with the song “Amazing Grace.”
Among the participants was Richard Beal of Rock Springs, Wyo., who came specifically for the procession. “It’s a great public witness to the faith,” he said, adding that he was moved by his participation, but couldn’t put into words how it affected him. “It’s supernatural, but it’s very special,” he said. “I’m glad I did it.”
Likewise, St. James parishioner Maria Elena Peña said it “felt good” to join the procession, though “I can’t explain it.”
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