WILLIAMSBURG– The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage passed through Williamsburg on June 5, as part of a cross-country Catholic journey that began in St. Augustine, Fl. and will end in Philadelphia over Independence Day weekend.
The procession began at the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham on Ironbound Road. From there, members of the pilgrimage, church and community walked through the campus before returning to the shrine. Attendees were then invited to St. Bede Catholic Church for a 15-minute presentation on saints, followed by Mass.
The pilgrimage is part of the National Eucharistic Revival, an initiative launched in 2022 by U.S. Catholic leaders to encourage devotion to the Eucharist, which Catholics believe is the body and blood of Jesus Christ.
Brandon Lumbek, a Williamsburg resident who converted to catholicism in 2001, attended this event.
“To have the pilgrimage come to town was pretty neat,” he said.
Mary Carmen Zakrajsea, one of the nine pilgrims on the pilgrimage, said the experience has been meaningful for participants and communities along the route.
“This National Eucharistic Pilgrimage is really an opportunity to invite others to pray for healing, renewal and God’s blessing upon America,” Zakrajsea said.
Zakrajsea became a member of the pilgrimage after applying online. The application had been seeking young adults between ages 20-29 who would “serve as a good fit” for the team. She went through several interviews before being selected.
“Miracles happen when we believe. I think this pilgrimage has taught me how poor I am in trust and faith, and it’s deepening my faith in Jesus and reminding me that he asks for our faith, and that’s been a blessing to grow in this summer,” Zakrajsea said.
Currently, the pilgrimage continues at the Baltimore Diocese.
