THELEAVEN.ORG | VOL. 46, NO. 1 | JULY 12, 2024
WALKING WITH JESUS
National Eucharistic Pilgrimage draws large crowds throughout the archdiocese
LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER
Father Matthew Nagle, pastor of Mater Dei-Assumption Parish in Topeka, leads the procession of the Blessed Sacrament into Church of the Assumption there on June 26. The procession began at St. Joseph Church in Topeka.
The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage crosses over from Missouri to Kansas via the Amelia Earhart Bridge, making its way to Benedictine College in Atchison. By Todd Habiger todd.habiger@theleaven.org
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ORTONVILLE — Fiveyear-old Hannah Lock had lots of questions about the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage that passed through here on June 25. But her most pressing one was: “Where is Jesus?” “She thought Jesus was one of the
priests,” said her mother, Kayla Lock, a member of St. Augustine Parish in Fidelity. While the explanation that Jesus was present in the Eucharist in the monstrance may have slightly disappointed Hannah, hundreds of others that took part in the pilgrimage were delighted to have the opportunity to see and process with the eucharistic Christ as pilgrims made their way through the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas June 24-29.
The travelers “It was so beautiful,” said Rachael Schmidt, a member of St. Mary Parish, Derby, who attended the Atchison leg of the pilgrimage. “It’s an amazing witness of processing all across America with Jesus.” Schmidt, who will be a freshman at Benedictine College in the fall, said she knew the pilgrimage was going to be a >> Continued on page 8
LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER