“I rejoiced when they said to me, let us go to the house of the LORD. And now our feet are standing within your gates, Jerusalem. Jerusalem, built as a city, walled round about. There the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, as it was decreed for Israel, to give thanks to the name of the LORD. There are the thrones of justice, the thrones of the house of David. For the peace of Jerusalem pray: May those who love you prosper! May peace be within your ramparts, prosperity within your towers. For the sake of my brothers and friends I say, Peace be with you. For the sake of the house of the LORD, our God, I pray for your good.” (Ps 122; 1-9)
The new people of God, the Church in the United States, is on the move. We are on pilgrimage like the ancient people of Israel, going to Indianapolis with the same purpose and joy to adore with the same spirit of joy, faith and love for Jesus in the Holy Eucharist.
Over the past few weeks, the Eucharistic Lord has traversed our nation on pilgrimage, inviting thousands to encounter him in their communities. As the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage approaches Indianapolis for the National Eucharistic Congress, we pray this month that faith and love for the Eucharist increase.
“How good and how pleasant it is when brothers dwell together as one! Like fine oil on the head, running down upon the beard, upon the beard of Aaron, upon the collar of his robe. Like the dew of Hermon coming down upon the mountains of Zion. There the LORD has decreed a blessing, life forevermore!” (Psalm 133: 1-3)
In this National Eucharistic Congress, there will be a true sense of unity in the Church.
The four routes of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage will converge, ceremoniously bringing together the northern, southern, eastern and western United States.
Thousands of God’s people of different races, ethnicities, cultures and languages will come together in faith, hope and love.
The Eucharist – the sacrament of true unity – will spiritually unite God’s children.
As we come together in communion with the Trinity and with each other, we pray that a deeper devotion and love for Jesus, present in the Most Holy Eucharist, might flow forth.
We pray that from Indianapolis, like the mountain of Zion in the Scriptures, the blessings of the Lord will flow for all regions, dioceses, parishes and families of the United States and the world so that love and faith in Jesus in the Eucharist may increase in all hearts, so that we may have life and life in abundance.
As thousands of pilgrims prepare to attend this National Eucharistic Congress, we pray for their travels to meet the great King of Kings, Lord of Lords. In his presence, their fatigue will be rewarded, and their hearts will be satiated with love that has no end.
For those who will not have the opportunity to attend this national encounter, consider going and spending time before the Eucharistic Lord, present in the tabernacle of your parishes and in chapels of perpetual adoration.
Jesus, present in the Eucharist, is waiting for you. By drawing near to the Eucharist, we will be united in the same spirit of love for Jesus.
The Archbishop of Denver, Samuel J. Aquila, asks all the faithful to join in his intention for July that this historic Eucharistic event renews our love and faith for Jesus, present in the Eucharist. Let us also pray for the safety of every pilgrim who will travel to Indianapolis. May the peace of God be the shield and protection of all Eucharistic pilgrims who, full of hope, will set out to meet the living and true God in the Holy Eucharist. May the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph accompany us with their intercession on this pilgrimage of faith, hope and love.