With hymns, prayer, and a spirit of joyful reverence, hundreds of faithful gathered on the first day of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage as it arrived in the Diocese of Peoria, marking a powerful moment of witness to the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist and the vitality of the Catholic faith in central Illinois.

The pilgrimage — part of a historic initiative resulting from the National Eucharistic Congress — drew participants from across the region and beyond. As the pilgrims processed through the streets, carrying the Blessed Sacrament in a radiant monstrance, passersby paused, watched, and some joined in, moved by the quiet yet profound testimony of faith.

Bishop Louis Tylka, who welcomed the pilgrims and celebrated Mass at St. Hyacinth in LaSalle, spoke of the deep spiritual hunger he sees in today’s world.

Bishop Tylka celebrates Mass at St. Hyacinth, LaSalle with almost 600 in attendance.

“There is a hunger that is out there for something more than what the world presents,” Bishop Tylka said. “I think that hunger, especially among young people — they are discovering that the only way to feed that hunger, it’s a spiritual hunger, a hunger to be united with God — is to find a home in church, and they are finding that in the Catholic Church.”

First Communicants from St. Hyacinth Church drop flower petals in front of the procession.

The pilgrimage’s first day in the diocese included moments of Adoration, opportunities for confession, and communal prayer. The Bishop received the Blessed Sacrament from Bishop Hicks of the Diocese of Joliet at St. Patrick in Seneca. The group then made a prayer stop at St, Mary in Utica before traveling to St. Hyacinth, where parishioners took to the neighborhood street with a horse-led procession. The day ended with a community dinner hosted by the parish.

Bishop Hicks and pilgrims from The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage process up the sidewalk of St. Patrick Church, Seneca singing “O Sacrament Most Holy”.

Among the pilgrims was Julie Walker, who traveled from Belleville, Michigan, with her family to take part in the event.

“We attended the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis and it was such a profound experience,” Walker shared. “When we found out [this pilgrimage] was going to be within driving distance from us, we wanted to be a part of it and continue on with the most moving experience we’ve had to date.”

Julie Walker and her daughter, Angie Renaud traveled 5 hours from Michigan to attend The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage.

The Diocese of Peoria stop is one leg of the “St. Katherine Drexel Route” — from Indianapolis to Los Angeles.

As the procession continued through the diocese, the air was filled with prayerful song, and the faces of young and old alike reflected a sense of deep peace and unity. For many, the experience is not just a journey across miles — but a pilgrimage of the heart.

To see photos, go to cdop150.org/eucharist