National Eucharistic Pilgrimage 2026
Inspired by the nation’s 250th birthday and the work of the National Eucharistic Revival (2022-2025), a National Eucharistic Pilgrimage will be held May 24-July 5 and will include stops in 18 dioceses, including Maine from June 23-26. The theme of the pilgrimage is "One Nation Under God."
Registration is now open!
The route, which has been dedicated to St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, the first U.S. citizen to be canonized, starts at Our Lady of Leche Shrine in St. Augustine, Florida, site of the first Mass to be celebrated on American soil, and concludes in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The pilgrimage begins Memorial Day weekend and ends Fourth of July weekend.
Public events in the Diocese of Portland can be found below. There will be opportunities for confession throughout the four days.
Email [email protected] with questions or to volunteer!
Maine Schedule
Tuesday, June 23
Welcome to Maine Car Procession - Begins at 2 p.m. at Kennebunk High School
Join us to welcome the National Eucharistic pilgrims to Maine in a car procession from Kennebunk High School to St. Martha Church in Kennebunk. To join the car procession, arrive at Kennebunk High School by 2:00 p.m. Volunteers will help participants line up in preparation of joining the small, private car procession arriving from Portsmouth, NH. (Check the Diocese of Manchester registration page of events for details on the handoff from Bishop Peter Libasci of the Diocese of Manchester to our bishop, Bishop James Ruggieri.)
We invite all to join in the car procession at Kennebunk High School on 89 Fletcher St, Kennebunk, ME. The car procession will begin around 2:45 p.m. from the high school to St. Martha Church via Fletcher St. The procession route will leave Kennebunk High School taking a left onto Fletcher St, using the second exit in the traffic circle to continue onto Fletcher St, taking a left onto Main St, and continuing onto Portland Rd to arrive at St. Martha Church, 30 Portland Rd, Kennebunk.
We also invite and encourage people to line the sidewalks along the procession route to welcome our Eucharistic Lord.
Eucharistic Adoration - 3:30 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. at St. Martha Church in Kennebunk
Prior to the opening Mass, all are invited to join in eucharistic adoration at St. Martha Church, 30 Portland Road in Kennebunk.
Opening Mass - 5 p.m. at St. Martha Church in Kennebunk
To welcome the pilgrims to Maine, Bishop James Ruggieri will celebrate an opening Mass at St. Martha Church, 30 Portland Road in Kennebunk.
Dinner Social - 6 p.m. at St. Martha Church in Kennebunk
Following the opening Mass, a dinner / social will be held in the hall of St. Martha Church in Kennebunk. All are invited to join in this time of fellowship and in welcoming the pilgrims to Maine.
Overnight Eucharistic Adoration - 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. at St. Anthony Franciscan Monastery in Kennebunk
Sit with our Eucharistic Lord at St. Anthony Franciscan Monastery, 28 Beach Avenue in Kennebunk. Adoration will begin with a brief witness talk given by one of the perpetual pilgrims and then continue in silence until the next morning. The monastery is a jubilee site for Special Year of St. Francis to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the saint's death. During this time of grace, the faithful are granted the opportunity to obtain a plenary indulgence by making a pilgrimage to a jubilee site. The faithful can obtain this grace under the usual conditions - sacramental confession, Communion, and prayer for the intentions of the pope. The opportunity for confession will be available after adoration begins.
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Morning Mass - 8 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Church in Brunswick
In celebration of the Feast Day St. John the Baptist, a secondary patron of the Diocese of Portland, Mass will be celebrated at St. John the Baptist Church, 39 Pleasant Street in Brunswick. When visiting a shrine or church on the feast day of its namesake, the faithful are granted a plenary indulgence under the usual conditions. Please join the pilgrims for this morning Mass.
Eucharistic Procession - 9 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Church in Brunswick
Help us to make Jesus known in the streets of Brunswick! Following Mass, all are invited to join us in a eucharistic procession, which will begin at approximately 9 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Church, 39 Pleasant Street in Brunswick, and continue around the block as we raise our voices in sung prayer.
Sacred Music Concert - 2 p.m. at the Basilica of Ss. Peter & Paul in Lewiston
Take in the beautiful music of the Casavant organ, as played by Prince of Peace Parish organists, at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, 122 Ash Street in Lewiston. The concert will be held in the upper church.
Shroud of Turin Exhibit - 12:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Basilica of Ss. Peter & Paul in Lewiston
A traveling exhibit of the Shroud of Turin, which includes a replica of the shroud, will be open to visitors in the lower church of the Basilica of Ss. Peter & Paul, 122 Ash Street in Lewiston. Two experts on the shroud will give presentations about it at 1 p.m.
Eucharistic Adoration - 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Basilica of Ss. Peter & Paul in Lewiston
Eucharistic adoration will be held in the upper church of the Basilica of Ss. Peter & Paul, 122 Ash Street in Lewiston, concluding with Benediction.
Thursday, June 25, 2026
Eucharistic Procession - 9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. - St. Peter Church to Sacred Heart Church in Portland
A eucharistic procession will begin at 9 a.m. at St. Peter Church, 72 Federal Street in Portland, process to Hampshire Street, then along Congress Street, down Mellen Street to Sacred Heart Church, located at 65 Mellen St. The distance is about 1.3 miles. Park in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception parking lot at 307 Congress Street and walk over to nearby St. Peter Church for the start of the procession.
Eucharistic Adoration - 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. - Sacred Heart Church in Portland
An hour of eucharistic adoration will be held at Sacred Heart Church, 65 Mellen Street in Portland, beginning with a witness talk by one of the perpetual pilgrims. Musical accompaniment will be provided by the Hispanic Ministry chorus of Sacred Heart / St. Dominic Parish.
Eucharistic Procession - 11 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. - Sacred Heart Church to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland
The procession leaves Sacred Heart Church, 65 Mellen Street in Portland, proceeds to Sherman Street, up State Street to Cumberland Avenue and then to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 307 Congress Street. The distance is approximately one mile.
Daily Mass - 12:15 p.m. - Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland
Midday Mass will be celebrated at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 307 Congress Street in Portland. Bagged lunches will be provided following Mass for those continuing on in the afternoon procession.
Eucharistic Procession - 1:45 p.m. - Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception to Casco Bay Lines Terminal in Portland
A eucharistic procession will be held from the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Portland to the Casco Bay Lines terminal at 56 Commercial Street in Portland. The distance is about .3 miles.
Ferry to Peaks Island - starting at 2 p.m. (Trip is 15 minutes at no cost)
Ride the diocesan‑chartered ferry to Peaks Island while adoring our Eucharistic Lord. Seating is limited to 290 passengers, but the ferry will make multiple trips back and forth until 5 p.m. to accommodate those who wish to make the trip. Once on the island, join in a 2:45 p.m. eucharistic procession to St. Christopher Church or, if arriving later, proceed to St. Christopher Church, 15 Central Avenue. When you are ready to travel back, take the chartered ferry or any regularly scheduled ferry -- free of charge. Ferries leave the island at 5, 6, 7:45 and 8:45 p.m.
Eucharistic Procession - 2:45 p.m. - Peaks Island Ferry Landing to St. Christopher Parish on Peaks Island
Join in a eucharistic procession from the Casco Bay Lines Peaks Island ferry landing to St. Christopher Church, located at 15 Central Avenue. The route begins at Welch Street, continues onto Island Avenue, and ends at the church on Central Avenue. The distance is approximately .3 miles, including a small hill.
Eucharistic Adoration - 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. - St. Christopher Church on Peaks Island
Come adore our Lord and hear a witness talk at 4 p.m. from one of the perpetual pilgrims describing a personal encounter with Christ and the life-changing effects of it. Evening prayer will follow at 4:30 p.m. and Benediction at 5 p.m. The brief talk will be held at the beginning of adoration, which will be held at St. Christopher Church, 15 Central Avenue on Peaks Island.
Cookout and Social - 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. - St. Christopher Church on Peaks Island
Enjoy fellowship and an outdoor meal provided by the parishioners of St. Christopher Church. Capacity for dinner is limited (see registration), but there are several restaurants and a grocery store on the island. Ferries leave Peaks Island after dinner for Portland at 6 p.m., 7:45 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. There is no charge to ride the ferry back to the Casco Bay Lines ferry terminal. Participants are on their own after leaving Peaks Island. The cathedral parking lot is a walkable .3 mile from the Casco Bay Lines ferry terminal.
Friday, June 26, 2026
Closing Mass - 10 a.m. - St. Christopher Church in York
A Mass concluding our time with the perpetual pilgrims will be celebrated at 10 a.m. at St. Christopher Church, 4 Barrell Lane in York.
