As the Eucharistic Lord crossed the Utah border into Colorado, he was met with a warm welcome in Rangely, a small town with a big heart in western Colorado.
The town is home to just over 2,000 people, and is part of the Northwest Tri-Parish, the parish furthest west in the Archdiocese of Denver. St. Ignatius of Antioch Catholic Church, one of three churches in the Tri-Parish, was the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage’s first stop in the archdiocese.
The community came together in prayer, worship and fellowship as Jesus, truly present in the Most Holy Eucharist, began his journey across Northern Colorado.
Upon arrival to Rangely, the Eucharist was moved from his place of honor in the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage van, where he remains with the Perpetual Pilgrims as they travel the United States on the Junípero Serra route of the pilgrimage.
St. Ignatius parishioners joyfully received the Lord in a time of prayer and adoration with the pilgrims, followed by a community meal.
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From the van in which Jesus travels with his Perpetual Pilgrims, the Blessed Sacrament was transferred to the parish for a time of Eucharistic Adoration. (Photo provided)
(Photo provided)
(Photo provided)
(Photo provided)
The small community of about 2,000 people received the Lord Jesus with warm hearts, welcoming him to the State of Colorado on his way to Indianapolis for the National Eucharistic Congress this summer. (Photo provided)
(Photo provided)
“It was a great and unique experience to witness these amazing people taking time out of their busy lives to be close to the Holy Eucharist as they travel across the United States,” said Tami Dorris. “Witnessing the Eucharist entering and leaving the church was amazing and the time I got to spend with the Eucharist meant a lot to me.”
“We felt very blessed and honored to have the Sacred Body of Jesus stop at St. Ignatius in Rangely on its pilgrimage across America,” said Mark and Connie Skelton. “The presence of the Holy Spirit was very powerful when they were bringing the monstrance into our church. The pilgrims were very gracious and thankful for the meal that was provided and the fellowship with them was very much enjoyed by all of us.”
The historic pilgrimage was extra special for 10-year-old Tyler Urie, who joined his family at St. Ignatius of Antioch.
“I loved talking to the pilgrims and learning about where they are from and why they are doing this. Spending time praying with Jesus was great, and I had a great experience the whole time it was at my church,” he shared.
From Rangely, the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage made its way through Colorado, stopping at various mountain parishes and Camp St. Malo’s St. Catherine Chapel on the Rock – the very location where Pope St. John Paul II visited on his 1993 visit to Denver – before arriving in Steamboat Springs Wednesday evening.
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