The 2026 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage that is traveling from Florida to Maine and back to Philadelphia as the United States celebrates its 250th birthday will stop in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington on June 5 and 6.
The pilgrimage – with the theme “One Nation Under God" – began May 24 in St. Augustine, Florida and will process for more than 2,200 miles as it makes its way through most of the 13 original colonies before concluding July 4th weekend in Philadelphia.
In a statement announcing the pilgrimage, Jason Shanks, president of the National Eucharistic Congress, called it a “a moment of deep reflection, gratitude, and renewal.” The theme, “One Nation Under God," he said, is a confession of dependence. A nation that knows how to kneel is a nation capable of standing.”
Over the course of 43 days, pilgrims will travel through 18 dioceses and archdioceses, as well as two Eastern Catholic eparchies. The pilgrimage has been placed under the patronage of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, the first American citizen to be canonized a saint.
Nine perpetual pilgrims are accompanying the Most Blessed Sacrament, with public events – including Masses, Holy Hours, sacred music concerts, talks and charitable outreach – scheduled at stops along the journey.
Here is the schedule of events planned for the June 5-6 pilgrimage stop in this archdiocese:
Friday, June 5
9:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. – Late night Holy Hour at the Catholic Information Center (The Investment Building, 1501 K St N.W., Washington, D.C.) as the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage arrives in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington. Music will be provided by Catholic singer-songwriter Marie Miller.
Saturday, June 6
9 a.m. to 10 a.m. – Morning Mass at the Catholic Information Center.
10 a.m. to noon – Eucharistic procession through downtown Washington, D.C. and past historic landmarks. The procession will start and end at the Catholic Information Center.
12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. – Afternoon of prayer and fellowship at the Saint John Paul II National Shrine (3900 Harewood Rd N.E., Washington, D.C.) The event includes opportunity to purchase lunch, witness talk by one of the perpetual pilgrims, recitation of the rosary and a Divine Mercy holy hour.
4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. – Corpus Christi Vigil Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (400 Michigan Ave. N.E., Washington, D.C.) Washington Auxiliary Bishop-elect Gary R. Studniewski is scheduled to be the principal celebrant and homilist at the Mass.
After the pilgrimage departs Washington, it will head to the Archdiocese of Baltimore, this nation’s first Catholic diocese.
