St. Augustine will be the genesis of a national Catholic pilgrimage — a “shared journey of faith” — that begins Saturday, May 23, and will conclude July 5 in Philadelphia as the church takes part in the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Not only the oldest continuously inhabiated European-established settlement in the continental U.S., St. Augustine is also the site of the nation’s “first enduring Catholic presence” — National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche at Mission Nombre de Dios, according to the diocese.
And now it will host the official launch of the 2026 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage.
“All eyes of the Catholic Church in the United States will be on St. Augustine as this pilgrimage begins,” Bishop Erik Pohlmeier of the Diocese of St. Augustine said. “This is an opportunity for people to encounter Christ, walk together in faith and publicly witness to the hope found in the Eucharist [holy communion].”
Founded in 1565, Mission Nombre de Dios is where Father Francisco López de Mendoza Grajales celebrated a Mass of thanksgiving with Spanish settlers and the Indigenous Timucua, according to the diocese. The event “marked the founding of St. Augustine and the beginning of a continuous Catholic presence that remains active today,” the diocese said.
The weekend of free pilgrimage-related events will include prayer, service and processions in St. Augustine, Jacksonville and Fernandina Beach, celebrating the feast of Pentecost, a holy day celebrated 50 days after Easter.
From St. Augustine, the pilgrimage route will continue to Christ the King Parish in Jacksonville and St. Michael Parish in Fernandina Beach before crossing by boat into the Diocese of Savannah and continuing north.
The pilgrimage will pass through 18 dioceses and archdioceses, including Savannah, Charleston, Charlotte, Richmond, Arlington, Washington, Baltimore, Wilmington, Camden, Paterson, Springfield, Manchester, Portland, Boston, Fall River, Providence and Philadelphia, according to the diocese.
“I was very excited when I was first contacted by the national office to begin the pilgrimage in St. Augustine,” Pohlmeier said. “As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, we want to recognize the faith that developed along with this country. The roots of Catholic faith had grown a lot in the years leading up to 1776 and this celebration is a call to embrace our legacy and carry the mission of the Gospel into the future.”
The 2026 pilgrimage was organized by the National Eucharistic Congress, with the theme “One Nation Under God.” A small group of young adults will travel the entire route, participating in daily Mass and encounters with local Catholic communities, among other activities, according to the diocese.
At the heart of the weekend is the Pentecost Mass at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, May 24, at the outdoor field altar behind the Shrine at 101 San Marco Ave. Pohlmeier will lead the Mass.
Prior to the Mass, Relevant Radio will lead a live Family Rosary from the field altar.
The weekend also includes service projects coordinated by nonprofit Catholic Charities, the First Coast Camino pilgrimage walk and a Florida Martyrs immersion experience.
Here is the procession schedule:
5 p.m. Sunday, May 24 — From the Shrine through downtown St. Augustine to the Cathedral Basilica, at 38 Cathedral Place. The City of St. Augustine and St. Augustine Police will enforce temporary road closures along San Marco Avenue from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Sunday because of the expected size of the procession.
10:15 a.m. Monday, May 25 — Procession at Christ the King Parish, 742 N. Arlington Road in Jacksonville.
3:15 p.m. Monday, May 25 — Procession from St. Michael Parish at 202 N. Fourth St. in Fernandina Beach to the city pier before the pilgrimage departs by boat for Georgia.
The St. Augustine diocese serves about 176,400 Catholics across 17 counties.
For more information on the pilgrimage, go to dosafl.com/pilgrimage-250 or eucharisticpilgrimage.org/
bcravey@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4109
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: National Catholic pilgrimage launch puts ‘all eyes’ on St. Augustine
Reporting by Beth Reese Cravey, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
