The biggest public event of the historic National Eucharistic Pilgrimage’s passage through the Archdiocese of Milwaukee will be Sunday, June 23.

That’s when Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki will celebrate the 9 a.m. Mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in downtown Milwaukee.

Afterward, he will step outside carrying our Lord truly present in the Blessed Sacrament to begin the 6.7-mile Source and Summit Eucharistic Procession.

“If you’ve never had the experience of being a part of the broader Universal Church, come be a part of something big — a nationwide movement close to home,” said Margaret Rhody, Associate Director for Parish Renewal with the Archdiocese of Milwaukee Office of Evangelization and Catechesis. “Our Mass with our archbishop at the Cathedral and the procession through the center of our city and archdiocese is our moment to ask God to bless, heal and bring new life.”

The Eucharistic procession will visit four South Side parishes before it concludes between 2:40 and 4 p.m. with adoration, prayer and light refreshments at Saint Francis de Sales Seminary, St. Francis.

“To walk out in the community with Jesus Christ present in the Blessed Sacrament is an outward sign of our faith. It takes courage and boldness to declare, ‘Yes. He is the meaning of my life.’” said Lydia LoCoco, interim Director of the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.

“This is our chance to be the face of Christ to the city by following Jesus in the Real Presence. Join us as we lead the way to engaging a broken world and invite others to know this King of Mercy,” she said.

Everyone is welcome to walk the entire procession or meet the procession at one of the parishes along the way. Find details and register for the walk and shuttle bus at www.archmil.org/pilgrimage/June23.

Parish stops will be:

  • About 11 a.m. to 11:15 a.m., Our Lady of Guadalupe, 605 S. 4th St., Milwaukee.
  • About 11:45 a.m. to noon, St. Stanislaus, 524 W. Mitchell St., Milwaukee
  • About 12:25 p.m. to 12:40 p.m., Basilica of St. Josaphat, 601 W. Lincoln Ave., Milwaukee
  • About 1:25 p.m. to 1:40 p.m., Immaculate Conception, 1023 E. Russell Ave., Milwaukee

Michael Tennies and his wife, Elizabeth, have invited friends and family to join them in walking with the June 23 procession, but they are also looking forward to the June 20 pilgrimage visit to their parish and the Basilica and National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians at Holy Hill.

“I think this will not only be a powerful witness to the larger community, but also serve as a strong reminder to us of our Catholic identity,” said Tennies, a member of St. Mary of the Hill, Hubertus.

Active with the Knights of Columbus at the state level, Tennies has helped coordinate council volunteers to be present at as many stops as possible in the archdiocese.

The June 23 Source and Summit Eucharistic Procession is part of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, which began in four locations throughout the United States.

The northern Marian Route will cross the Archdiocese of Milwaukee from north to south June 18-26, with stops at more than 50 parishes, retreat centers and shrines before it proceeds on to the National Eucharistic Congress. On July 17, it will join three other processions in the sign of a cross on the first day of the congress, which is expected to draw more than 50,000 people to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

“In our archdiocese, we are praying that everyone who comes will awaken faith, experience healing and give witness to the beauty of our Catholic faith. Come and see how God will answer these prayers. Bring people with you — especially those who need to know that God is here for them, and Jesus is true to his promise that he will never abandon them,” Rhody said.