ST. AUGUSTINE | Catholics from around the United States gathered to adore Jesus present in the Eucharist in celebration of America’s 250th birthday for the 2026 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage.

The pilgrimage launched Sunday, May 24, 2026, from the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche at Mission Nombre De Dios in St. Augustine, the place where the first Mass of Thanksgiving in a permanent European settlement in the United States was celebrated Sept. 8, 1565.

The day began with Mass celebrated by Bishop Erik Pohlmeier of the Diocese of St. Augustine at the outdoor field altar. Intermittent rain during the afternoon did not stop the faithfully participating in the many offerings available: the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Eucharistic Adoration, recitation of the Rosary, museum exhibits, Florida Martyrs immersion walk, and special interest talks on a variety of topics.

Diane and Andy Germ of Most Precious Blood Parish in Oviedo sensed a familiar unity, having traveled the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton route in Steubenville in 2025.

“Our experience in St. Augustine, beginning at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche is a memory I won’t soon forget,” Diane said. “Walking on the sacred grounds gave me a sense of peace. Entering the national shrine for Adoration, I immediately felt the true presence of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

For her, the pilgrimage was, “a time to feel peace and offer special prayer intentions for family and friends, a time of hope to renew and unite with people across the nation.”

Along the procession route, a few perpetual pilgrims handed out cards promoting the 250,000 Holy Hours effort for America 250. They engaged those watching the procession and invited them to share prayer requests.

Max Franklin and his fiancé, Olivia Garrett, parishioners at the Basilica of St. Paul in Daytona Beach, heard about the pilgrimage from friends. The couple with a newly discovered love for Jesus jumped at the opportunity to go.

Raised in the Episcopal church, Franklin went back to church for Easter last year for the first time in many years. He then began a journey to find the fullness of faith. He eventually stepped foot in the Basilica of St. Paul, “which felt like home,” Franklin said. While he read the early Church Fathers, Garrett began to ask God to clearly make Himself known.

Garrett was raised Catholic, but fell away from the faith. God answered her prayers in a profound way. “I hadn’t thought about the Catholic Church at all in years, and… that moment brought me to the Catholic Church” recalls Garrett. She says, “the moment I finally came into the Church, and we started really going to Catholic Mass, everything started falling into place.”

While he may not be Catholic yet, Franklin is all in on the Church’s teaching on the Eucharist.

“We’re here because this is a Eucharistic pilgrimage, and I wanted the real body of Christ. I truly want that. I truly believe… that is what we’re witnessing every day for the daily communicants, and every Sunday when the Mass is offered, it’s a sacrifice… we get to take part of. It’s a gift, it’s a grace, and I’m so excited to take my First Communion.”

Franklin will be received into the Church in late September.

For Garrett, the witness of the faithful Catholics attending the pilgrimage stood out. Seeing the personal devotions in a large group of Catholics set an example she hopes to emulate. “Everybody just showing up is loving Jesus.”

“The devotion and the reverence that everybody has, it makes me feel very fortunate to be coming into the Church and really being a part of the body of Christ,” added Franklin.

The first day’s procession ended at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine. As the Eucharist processed into the heart of historic downtown St. Augustine, passersby quickly pulled out their phones to record the moment. Conversations quickly turned to Catholicism. “It’s Catholic,” a parent explained to their children, noting the Marian imagery carried by some of the participants. “I was raised Catholic,” proclaimed a young man to his friends at a restaurant overlooking the procession. Seeing the Blessed Sacrament and the pilgrims’ reverence for the Eucharist clearly stirred something deep within onlookers.

The pilgrimage continued onward to three cities on the second day; Jacksonville, Fernandina Beach, and St. Mary’s, Georigia. Eucharistic processions took place in each city, with the celebration of Mass. The perpetual pilgrims and Bishop Pohlmeier boarded a boat in the Fernandina Beach Harbor Marina to transport the Blessed Sacrament up the St. Mary’s River into Georgia. About 45 minutes later, Bishop Pohlmeier transferred the Blessed Sacrament to Bishop Stephen Parkes of the Diocese of Savannah for the next leg of the pilgrimage.

Teresa Unrue, a parishioner at St. Stephen Parish in Winter Springs, took the pilgrimage for one simple reason. “I love Jesus,” she said with a smile. Her personal motto, “The Eucharist is my highway to heaven” attributed to St. Carlo Acutis, encapsulates her Christocentric life.

“What I take back is going to be all my experiences here,” said Unrue. She kept a journal to share with others. “People are hungry for God; I saw it today.” She said it feels good to be with people of love and faith. Her experiences confirmed her need to always trust in God’s providence. “He will provide, and I put all of my… trust in Him, and I know He’s going to take care of me.”

Watch a reel about the Eucharistic procession.

By Lucas Blackwell of the Florida Catholic staff, May 29, 2026