Perpetual Pilgrim Stephen Fuhrmann of St. Peter in Lindsay speaks on National Eucharistic Pilgrimage
Faithful of the Diocese of Wichita in Kansas participate in a Eucharistic Procession after Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on May 28, 2025. Perpetual Pilgrim Stephen Fuhrmann appears in the center of the picture in a black shirt with a green backpack. (courtesy photo/Diocese of Wichita)
LINDSAY — For most college students, life revolves around study time, social gatherings, and sleep.
Stephen Fuhrmann’s undergraduate experience includes a deepening faith thanks to Texas A&M University’s vibrant Catholic community.
“I can point to the ministries and friendships with my Catholic roommates who conformed me to be more virtuous,” the 21-year-old senior said, explaining his growing relationship with Jesus. “But ultimately, the Holy Spirit is just present in the students. They say ‘yes’ to the Lord, and it shows. It puts a smile on your face, and people are drawn to that. I was drawn to that.”
Witnessing a fellow Aggie’s participation in 2024 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage inspired the Lindsay native to share his own love for Jesus with others. When organizers decided to launch a second pilgrimage in 2025, Fuhrmann applied to become a perpetual pilgrim.
“I was super attracted to what my friend was doing last summer,” he said, referring to the 6,500 miles traversed by participants across the U.S. to foster devotion to the Blessed Sacrament. “Organizers interviewed me twice, and I told them how Jesus changed my life. I don’t know why I was chosen, but the Lord placed me here.”
LOCAL OPPORTUNITIES
Fuhrmann is one of eight pilgrims accompanying the Eucharist from Indianapolis to Los Angeles in a route dedicated to St. Katharine Drexel.
Along the way, residents in the Midwest, Texas, and southwestern states will have the opportunity to participate in Mass, Adoration, heartfelt testimonies, and fellowship meals during stops on the route.
The Diocese of Fort Worth will welcome the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage to Our Lady of Fatima Church, 5109 E. Lancaster Avenue in Fort Worth, on Thursday, June 5 at 6 p.m. with a Mass in Vietnamese. Eucharistic Adoration from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. will follow.
On Friday, June 6, the entourage travels to Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 201 Thornhill Drive, where a Eucharistic procession will take place on the parish grounds from 7 to 7:45 a.m. Priests will celebrate Mass in Spanish at 8 a.m. and participants are encouraged to stay for Adoration with the perpetual pilgrims from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
During the evening of June 6, Bishop Michael Olson will celebrate a bilingual Mass at St. Joseph Church, 1927 SW Green Oaks Blvd. in Arlington, at 6 p.m. followed by witness talks given by the perpetual pilgrims from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m.
The Eucharistic Pilgrimage’s final stop in the diocese is at St. Frances Cabrini Church, 2301 Acton Hwy. in Granbury. Perpetual pilgrims will lead a Eucharistic procession at 7 a.m., followed by an 8 a.m. Mass and Adoration at 9:30 a.m.
After visiting missions in southern California, the St. Katharine Drexel route ends on Corpus Christi weekend, June 22, where participants will process with the Blessed Sacrament around the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles.
For planning purposes, organizers ask diocesan faithful interested in attending to register in advance. The local link to register is fwdioc.org/national-eucharistic-pilgrimage. Please contact Melly Andrade at [email protected] or 817-945-9357 with questions about events in this diocese.
18-INCH PILGRIMAGE
Since the pilgrimage began May 18, Fuhrmann has made friends and enjoyed some once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Cruising on the Mississippi River with the Blessed Sacrament is one of those experiences. Bishop Louis Tylka of the Diocese of Peoria, Illinois, handed the monstrance to Bishop Dennis G. Walsh of Davenport as the watercraft reached Bluff Harbor Marina in Iowa on May 21.
“Crossing the water, seeing our Lord held in such reference, it felt like the Apostles huddled together on the Sea of Galilee,” said Fuhrmann, describing the crowded boat. “We sang the song, ‘Oceans’. It was beautiful.”
The perpetual pilgrim, who is majoring in agricultural business, is having some memorable conversations of evangelization with people he’s met during the trip. Forming friendships with his travel companions is another plus.
“We didn’t know each other very well at the start, but we have something in common — we love Jesus, and we want His presence to be known,” Fuhrmann explained. “In a way, Jesus chose us to be His apostles on this journey. To share that is awesome, and I hope to build on those relationships.”
The St. Peter in Lindsay parishioner is hoping for a large turnout of worshipers when the Eucharistic Pilgrimage visits the diocese June 5-7.
The pilgrims are moving from one place to another, but the real journey is something more.
“Yes, we’re traveling from Indianapolis to Los Angeles, but the true pilgrimage is the 18-inch journey from the head to the heart where you allow Jesus to enter,” he observed. “It’s the spiritual we’re seeking. We’re on an internal pilgrimage, and I want that to continue to transform me.”
The Perpetual Pilgrims adore the Eucharist the evening before the first stop of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage St. Drexel Route on May 17, 2025. (Courtesy photo/National Eucharistic Pilgrimage)