Gulf Pine Catholic

Gulf Pine Catholic • July 5, 2024 11 Eucharistic Pilgrimage From page 10 Father Jas was also moved by the strong sense of community. “Through my brothers and sisters who were walking and praying with me during procession I saw Jesus, who brought us together communally as a community of faith; Spanish, Asian, and American in different parishes; kids, teenagers, youths, adults, elders, priests, nuns, believers and non-believers to take part of this event.,” he said. “I’m so blessed and moved through this holy event. Along the way, we walked with Jesus; we united with one heart and many faces in praying and thanksgiving and believing with our whole hearts that God never abandons us. No matter what we’re going through in life; sickness, loss, and worries; through this Eucharistic procession God shows us His love through His real presence ‘Emmanuel’, God is with us.” For Father Jas, he considered it a great and pro- found testimony for him as a priest to witness the participants’ faith as Catholics who believe in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist celebrated every day during the Mass. “Through this procession, we can see Jesus in the real way He came down from heaven and walked with us,” Father Jas continued. “During the proces- sion many people told me ‘Father we need to do this very often, at least once a year in our local diocese, in every parish in our diocese, as a reminder as Catholics who believe in the real presence of God in the Eucharist.” Ann Hale, a parishioner of St. Thomas the Apos- tle Parish in Long Beach, said “To feel like a disciple from 2,000 years ago following our precious Lord was an experience like no other.” “It was a privilege to show the world the beauti- ful sacrifice of Jesus’ love,” she further noted. “God’s glory was seen all around us.” So, what happens now that the pilgrimage has come and gone? “Year three of the Eucharistic Revival begins after the Eucharistic Congress, which takes place this month in Indianapolis. After that, we are going to be going out on mission,” said Molsbee. “This is a grassroots movement. It starts with everybody in the pews. A lot of times, our brothers and sisters think it’s just priests and deacons. Sometimes we don’t think we have enough time for our Lord. I think on mission one of the most uncomfortable things that we as Catholics have to deal with is spreading the faith, not wanting to share our faith with others, being silent and having that silent safe space. “But, when you have the love of the Eucharist, you can’t shut up about it. I have found that out per- sonally since I’ve been a Catholic and there’s no going back. It’s like what Peter says to Jesus after the Bread of Life Discourse when He asks the 12 apostles, ‘Are you going to leave too?’ and Peter says, ‘To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.’ Where do we go? We have Jesus Christ in the Eucharist and that’s the most powerful thing. If we can just get that love for Jesus Christ in the Eucharist and let our actions speak and let the light of the Eucharist guide us, it will be a powerful thing. Like Saint Francis of Assisi said, ‘Preach the gospel at all times and, if necessary, use words.’” Bishop Louis f. Kihneman III, organizers of the local leg of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage and pilgrims, who began walking the Juan Diego Route on Pentecost Sunday in Beaumont, Texas. The pilgrimage will culminate at the National Eucharistic Congress, which will take place later this month in Indianapolis. Photo/Juliana Skelton