National Eucharistic Pilgrimage arrives in Diocese of Fort Worth
Father Vinh Van Vu, CRM, carries the monstrance to begin Eucharistic Adoration on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at Our Lady of Fatima Parish in Fort Worth. (NTC/Juan Guajardo)
FORT WORTH — “It’s been a tremendous time of grace.”
That’s how Father Malachy Napier described his experience traveling with the Holy Eucharist during the 2025 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage. Intended to draw attention to the real presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, the 3,340-mile spiritual journey across 10 states arrived in the Diocese of Fort Worth June 5 at Our Lady of Fatima Parish.
“A lot of people are encountering Jesus in the Eucharist and are returning to the sacraments,” said the priest, a member of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (CFR). “It’s a beautiful public witness to our Lord when we’re carrying Jesus during the procession in the streets.”
Led by eight perpetual pilgrims who will travel the entire distance, the pilgrimage includes stops at parishes, shrines, and Catholic sites in 20 dioceses where Catholics are encouraged to participate in Eucharistic Adoration. Launched in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis on May 18, the pilgrimage ends in Los Angeles where the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels will host a Corpus Christi celebration with Mass and a downtown Eucharistic procession.
During a well-attended bilingual Mass concelebrated by Our Lady of Fatima pastor Father Vinh Vu, CRM; Father Khanh Vu, CRM; Father Lawrence Johnson, CFR; and Fr. Napier, worshippers were told “the Eucharist is the most excellent gift ever given to us by Christ.”
“What we celebrate today is the presence of Christ in His Church,” explained Deacon Michael Hoang. “This is simply His way of expressing His unconditional love for us. Our celebration provides an opportunity to thank and adore Christ present in the most holy sacrament.”
Following Mass, members of the Vietnamese Eucharistic Youth Movement led a brief procession as Father Vu carried a monstrance with the Blessed Sacrament into the main sanctuary for Adoration. As parishioners chanted prayers in Vietnamese, priests offered confession in nearby rooms.
Alec and Julie Vincent participated in last year’s National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis and wanted to relive the experience in their own diocese.
“We really loved what happened in Indianapolis,” said Alec, recalling the moments of enthusiastic worship with 50,000 other Catholics. “We were awestruck by the procession of pilgrims that came into the stadium. It was a very spiritual and inspirational event for us.”
The Good Shepherd parishioners are also part of Legatus — a lay organization devoted to spreading the Catholic faith through professional and personal endeavors.
“The pilgrimage promotes a basic understanding of the Eucharist,” he added. “It inspires people to continue to be part of the Church and learn more about the Church.”
After making stops at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Fort Worth and St. Frances Cabrini in Granbury, the Eucharistic Pilgrimage will travel through New Mexico and Arizona before arriving in southern California.
“It’s been fun meeting people, and the Lord has been working on my heart as well,” said Leslie Reyes-Hernandez, a perpetual pilgrim from Phoenix, Arizona. “People want to know what it’s like traveling across the country with our Lord. I tell them it’s something very beautiful and unique.”
After the pilgrimage ends, the 26-year-old Chicago native will return to teaching high school algebra with a fresh mental and spiritual attitude.
“I think God is healing parts of my heart I didn’t know needed healing,” she admitted. “God wants to heal the whole person.”
Bella Stewart hopes the Eucharistic Pilgrimage brings people closer to God.
“I want it to reach as many hearts as it can,” said the Holy Family parishioner and frequent Adoration devotee. “I want people to fall in love with the Eucharist.”