All posts by Tommy Shultz

The Marian Route

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The northern route of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage begins with the Holy Mass on the Solemnity of Pentecost in Itasca State Park.

The procession  departs from the headwaters of the great Mississippi River, making its way through the Midwest and meeting up with the other three pilgrimage routes at the National Eucharistic Congrss in Indianapolis. Thousands of pilgrims, including twelve perpetual pilgrims, will walk alongside Jesus, traveling from city to city, attending daily Mass and adoring Jesus in adoration.

The Marian route is named for its visit to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion in Wisconsin = the first and only approved Marian Apparition site in the United States..

More information about how to participate in the May 19th Pentecost Mass & the beginning of the Marian Route of the National Eucharistic Procession at the Headwaters of the Mississippi River in Itasca State Park – including schedule, directions, parking, transportation, and other details will be made available here.

Aly Aleigha

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Aly Aleigha is an Indie-Folk Singer/Songwriter and recording artist from Duluth, MN. In 2015, she released her debut album and graduated from Franciscan University of Steubenville, OH with degrees in Theology and Catechetics. Aly currently serves as the recurring worship leader for Jeff Cavins pilgrimages to the Holy Land and the ministry of Fr. Mike Schmitz in the diocese of Duluth. When she is not leading worship or touring with her original music, Aly spends her days rock climbing cliffs that plunge into beautiful Lake Superior or adventuring in some way. Her adventurous spirit, her experiences traveling, and her faith greatly influence her songwriting.

The Four Routes

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The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage is a national procession beginning on May 19, 2024 – The Solemnity of Pentecost. There are four procession routes, all descending on Indianapolis for the 10th National Eucharistic Congress. The Seton Route (East) begins in Hartford, Connecticut, The Juan Diego Route (South) begins in Brownsville, Texas. The Junipero Serra Route (West) begins in San Francisco, California and the Marian Route (North) begins in the Diocese of Crookston, MN – at the Headwaters of the Great Mississippi River (also known as the River of the Immaculate Conception).

May 19th Mass and Procession

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Beginning of the Marian Route of the National Eucharistic Procession

On May 19th, Catholics from across the upper Midwest will celebrate Holy Mass on the Solemnity of Pentecost to be followed by the beginning of the Marian Route of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage.  The pilgrimage will proceed over the next three months towards Indianapolis, Indiana, the site of the National Eucharistic Congress.
The Mass will be held near the North Entrance of Itasca State Park at the Lake Itasca Region Pioneer Farmers location (16879 North Entrance Drive, Shevlin, MN).  The Mass will begin at 10:00 a.m. and will be held outdoors.  After Mass concludes, the Marian Route of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage will begin by processing the Blessed Sacrament in a monstrance into Itasca State Park. Near the headwaters of the Mississippi River, a solemn Benediction will occur.  Those attending the Mass may wish to join in the procession to the site of the Benediction (about ¾ mile walk). After the Benediction, a smaller group of pilgrims will continue processing the Blessed Sacrament towards LaPorte, Minnesota where the first day of the procession will conclude.
SOME INFORMATION FOR THOSE WHO ARE ATTENDING THE MASS:
– There is no registration to attend the Mass.
– Parking is available on site. With Mass beginning at 10:00 we ask that everyone arrive by 9:40 so that you have time to park and move to the location for the Mass.
– Seating will not be provided. You will need to bring your own lawn or folding camping chair.
– Plan for the weather- temperatures on this date range from a low of 46 to a high of 78. Given that the Mass is in the morning, plan for cooler temeratures.

Christina Lamas

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Spanish Track

Christina Lamas ingresó al ministerio con adolescentes después de 10 años de voluntariado. Ocupó los cargos de directora asociada y coordinadora de la división de la pastoral con dolescentes en la Arquidiócesis de Los Ángeles. Con más de 25 años de experiencia en la catequesis y el ministerio juvenil, ahora es la directora ejecutiva de la Federación Nacional Católica de Ministerio con Jóvenes Adolescentes en Washington, D.C.

Christina Lamas made her way into the field of Youth Ministry after ten years of volunteering at her home parish, where she was drawn to empower young people to find ways to actively live out their faith and to continue to grow in their relationship with Christ in their daily living. She went on to hold multiple positions within the Office of Religious Education for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Currently, she is serving as the Executive Director of the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry (NFCYM). Christina brings to NFCYM 25+ years of experience in catechesis and youth ministry.

Plan your Trip

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Please note as the Star of the North Eucharistic Congress draws near there is LIMITED AVAILBILTY at hotels in the Bemidji area.

As you plan your weekend in Bemidji, keep in mind that the Star of the North Eucharistic Congress begins Friday evening at 7:00 PM with Eucharistic adoration and a keynote presentation by Bishop Robert Barron, and continues Saturday with Mass at 9:00 AM, followed by a day filled with testimonies,  music, interactive “Saints Alive” presentations for families, keynote addresses by Sister Jude Andrew, Bishop Andrew Cozzens, and Father Mike Schmitz. There will also be a large vendor and exhibit hall throughout the conference. The congress concludes at 4:30 PM. 

On Sunday, all are welcome to Lake Itasca State Park for outdoor Mass with Bishop Cozzens . The Mass of the Solemnity of Pentecost will take place at Itasca’s Pioneer Village, beginning at 10:00 AM. Following Mass, there will be a Eucharistic Procession to the headwaters of the  Mississippi River. Here will commence the 1,000 mile Eucharistic procession along the Marian Route of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage. Details and Logistics regarding Sunday’s events at Lake Itasca State Park will be made available here in November.

To accomodate pilgrims, a significant number of hotel rooms have been blocked near the Sanford Center. Hotel information  can be accessed here. 

Saints Alive

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Since its debut in 2021, the Saints Alive Podcast has quickly become one of the top podcasts in the world and go-to resources for quality Catholic content. Telling the stories of the saints in radio-drama fashion, Saints Alive aims to inspire and empower the next generation of saints. In a world with an endless amount of content but little that families can trust, Saints Alive has entertained families all across the world while also calling them to holiness.

Founders Alex Dee and Tanner Kalina will share a special, live Saints Alive interactive program with youth and families during the Star of the North Eucharistic Congress. For all ages!

Alex is a husband, father, actor, and Swiss army knife when it comes to storytelling. He has pursued film and acting in New York City and Los Angeles since 2011. He recently made the leap to give his full focus as the Director of Saints Alive and lives in Vermont with his amazing wife and kids. He feels blessed to have developed a career both in front of and behind the camera, and he has a deep desire to tell stories that move hearts to Christ. Alex acts as the narrator for each episode of Saints Alive, and he’s the guy editing it all together.

Tanner is a Catholic artist and missionary currently living in Denver, Colorado. He chases holiness in his day to day, failing frequently but continuing constantly. Along with working as a writer and actor for the last decade, he has had the great pleasure of spreading the Gospel with awesome ministries such as FOCUS, Ascension Presents, YDisciple, and currently is also working with the National Eucharistic Revival. Tanner plays many roles on this podcast as well as contributes to script writing and ministry vision.

Handmaids of the Heart of Jesus

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The Handmaids of the Heart of Jesus live in imitation of Mary in serving as spiritual mothers in the Diocesan Church. The four primary aspects of their Charism are: Marian, Eucharistic, Diocesan, and Evangelistic. Formally established on March 24th, 2010, in the Diocese of New Ulm, beyond the New Ulm Motherhouse, the Handmaids also have communities in Duluth, Saint Paul, and Dickinson. They serve the Church through apostolic works in the diocese and the parish including supporting catechetical, liturgical and familial life.