Seton Shrine to host Eucharistic Pilgrimage with daylong activities June 6

One of the biggest and most devotional Catholic events of the year is coming through Frederick County, Md., as the Seton Route of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage makes a daylong stop at the National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg.

Five walking pilgrims on their way from New Haven, Conn., to the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis, will be joined by worshippers from across the Archdiocese of Baltimore at the Seton Shrine, which is dedicated to the first native-born American to be canonized a Catholic saint.

The day will begin at 8:30 a.m. with a nationally televised mass (EWTN) celebrated by Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori in the shrine’s historic Basilica, where Mother Seton is entombed. The pilgrims will then be joined by worshippers on a 2-mile Eucharistic procession through the streets of Emmitsburg, and then a second 3.7-mile procession to Mount St. Mary’s University and the National Shrine Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Tours are also scheduled of the historic buildings where Mother Seton started the first congregation of women religious in the U.S. and one of the first Catholic schools for girls in the early 1800s. Visitors can also visit the shrine’s new $4 million museum and visitors center.

Catholics believe the Eucharist is the body of Jesus Christ, and processions have long been a way for the faithful to show their devotion. Mother Seton, a convert to Catholicism, experienced an especially intense devotion to the Eucharist that resonates to this day.

The Eastern route of the Eucharistic Pilgrimage, named after Mother Seton, began May 17 and concludes July 16 at the Congress, where pilgrims will meet up with those from three other regional routes.

All procession-related activities at the shrine are free and open to the public, though visitors are asked to register online for planning purposes.

Here's the schedule of activities:

8:30 a.m. — Mass with Archbishop William E. Lori in the Basilica at the Seton Shrine

9:30 a.m. — Solemn Eucharistic Procession through the streets of Emmitsburg

11 a.m. — Lunch is available for purchase from several food trucks at the Seton Shrine (or pack a picnic). Tour the new museum or historic homes and visit the gift shop and basilica. Adoration will also be available at this time in the basilica.

1:30 p.m. — “In the steps of Mother Seton” Walking Pilgrimage from the Seton Shrine to Immaculate Conception Chapel at Mount St. Mary’s, Seminary Chapel, St. Anthony’s Church, and then up the hill to the Grotto Cave

The event takes place at the National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, 339 S Seton Ave, Emmitsburg, Md.

For more information, visit https://setonshrine.org/.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Mail: Seton Shrine to host Catholic pilgrims on Eucharistic Pilgrimage