“We were there!” exclaimed the small delegation from Holy Family Home who participated, on July 5, 2026, in the grand finale of the Mother Cabrini Eucharistic Pilgrimage that had brought the Blessed Sacrament through the 13 original colonies. Yes! Amid all the magnificent marking of our nation’s 250 years of independence right here in Philadelphia, the Birthplace of our nation, we were there for yet another historic event—the culmination this National Pilgrimage at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul. A solemn Mass was concelebrated by six bishops and our own Archbishop Nelson Pérez, alongside dozens of priests, deacons, seminarians, Knights of Colombus, Knights of Malta, and a grand multitude of the faithful.
One of our Little Sisters remarked: “It was so good to be there, mingling with the wealthy and the wanting, the robust and the rickety, the toddlers and the grandparents of a variety of races and nationalities, all united to honor our Eucharistic Lord.” The diversity of the assembly was accommodated by the Cathedral Choir raising hearts with classic Gregorian chant, the Gospel Choir adding rhythm to our song, the Filipino Choir glorifying God in Tagalog, and the Hispanic Choir bringing back melodious memories with the Official Hispanic Hymn of the Eucharistic Congress in Philadelphia in 1976.
“We were there, really carried along by the solemn Eucharistic liturgy!” another Little Sister added. Our friend, Father Dennis Gill, the Rector of the Cathedral and a fervent liturgist, had pulled out all the stops! From floral arrangements, precise liturgical gestures, air-conditioning, wonderful programs promoting active participation, to the prayerful, peaceful pace of the ceremony.
“Never thought I’d be there to hear the first American Pope speak to us in Philadelphia!” sighed our “Little Sister Saint-Watcher.” She loved the way our Holy Father brought out the Eucharistic Devotion of our three Homegrown Saints honored this day, Bishop Neumann, Mother Katherine Drexel, and Mother Seton. Everyone appreciated Pope Leo XIV taking the time to be there, with us via zoom on this historic occasion.
Resident Patricia marveled at being there to mark this milestone in the journey towards a Eucharistic Revival launched by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) back in May 2024. She said it seems like yesterday when she wondered how it would work. During the past two years, thanks to EWTN, she has been able to follow the thousands of miles the Blessed Sacrament has been carried in procession. We all must praise God for the grace-filled hours of adoration and of service. Patricia prays that our personal Eucharistic pilgrimage will be an ongoing history in each of our lives.
After hearing Archbishop Perez’s homily which he began with the question, “What does love look like?” Resident Marie concluded that she was most impressed by the pilgrims’ day of service upon arriving in Philadelphia in preparation for this grandiose Liturgical Celebration. As on every stage of their journey, they were there to bring the Corporal works of Mercy to vulnerable persons of inner-city parishes. They were there to promote local charity directly linked to Eucharistic graces. That’s what love looks like! Archbishop Perez pointed out that Love looks like time, like gift, like an outpouring of self that is transformative! Then he asked: “What’s one word that sums up what love looks like?” The answer is JESUS! Following and flowing from the Solemn Mass in the Cathedral, Marie noted, the Pilgrimage brought Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament through a disenfranchised area of Philadelphia to conclude the celebration at the Shrine of St. John Neuman in North Philly. For Marie, this was the perfect example of spreading the Gospel without using words. That’s what love looks like!
We were there to live out an historic event. Now, our Mother, St Jeanne Jugan, would say: “Jesus is there, waiting for you in the tabernacle.” May we be part of what Love looks like today!
