Serve as a Perpetual Pilgrim on the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage

Submitted by AARON LOFY

We are looking for eight young adults, ages 19-29, who have a deep love of the Eucharist, to serve as Perpetual Pilgrims for the 2025 Pilgrimage.

A Perpetual Pilgrim acts as a steward of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, modeled after the Twelve Apostles who were invited to travel closely with Jesus while other disciples joined him for smaller parts of his journeys. This will be a very intense experience that is taxing spiritually, mentally, socially, and physically, but it is also a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience the life of the Apostles as depicted in Scripture.

The Pilgrimage will begin in mid-May 2025 and conclude in late June. Applicants must also be available for an in-person retreat February 14-16, virtual formation nights on Mondays throughout the spring semester, and for some time after the Pilgrimage for post-pilgrimage formation.

This 2025 Pilgrilmage will begin in Indianapolis and conclude in Los Angeles.

Required Values/Qualifications/Skills

• Baptized and confirmed Catholics who regularly receive the Sacraments of Communion and Reconciliation

• Uphold all the teachings of the Catholic Church

• Consistent daily prayer life and continuous striving to grow in virtue

• Flexibility with constantly changing situations and schedules

• Investment in a team that will travel in close proximity for several weeks

• Willingness to fill various roles for eucharistic processions

• Ability to give witness talks to small and large groups

• Comfort discussing the Catholic faith with others

• Ability to walk 15 miles in a day (NOTE: We will not be walking this much most days, but there may be a few days that are 15 miles.)

• Willingness to live on the road for several weeks and openness to local hospitality each night for lodging and food

• Deep love for the universal Church and appreciation for different expressions of Catholic liturgy

• Grace in receiving/giving fraternal correction from/to teammates when needed

• Has a spiritual director (or is willing to find one) for the duration of the preparation period, the time on the pilgrimage route, and the 6 months of transition after the pilgrimage

• Between the ages of 19-29 by the start of the NEP in May

Helpful Qualifications/Skills

We realize not everyone will have all the below skills, but we are looking for members of a team who can help fill some of the desired qualifications below.

• Proficiency in conversational Spanish

• Comfort driving a 15-passenger van with trailer attached over long distances, and a clean driving record (background check required)

• Ability to lead liturgical music (vocal and/or instrumental)

• Experience with photography to capture events on the pilgrimage

• Experience blogging and/or running social media for an organization

• Ability to be interviewed by journalists

Apply using the QR code below or by visiting: eucharisticpilgrimage.org

Aaron Lofy is the director of young adult ministry in the Diocese of Winona-Rochester.