Powerful Blessing for the USA atop the National Monument during the Eucharistic Pilgrimage in Baltimore
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Faith and History Converge: National Eucharistic Pilgrimage Blesses Baltimore
In a powerful moment of prayer and patriotism, the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage made a historic stop in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. As part of the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary celebrations, the St. Frances Xavier Cabrini route—which spans from Florida to Maine—brought hundreds of faithful together under the theme, “One Nation Under God.”
A Blessing From Above
The highlight of the Baltimore part occurred at the city's historic Washington Monument. Father Michael DeAscanis, pastor of St. Louis in Clarksville and St. Francis of Assisi in Fulton, carried a golden monstrance containing the Blessed Sacrament up the monument's 227-step spiral staircase. He prayed a "Glory Be" for every 10 steps.
Upon reaching the lookout—more than 120 feet above the city—Father DeAscanis raised the monstrance to the north, south, east, and west, tracing the Sign of the Cross to bless the city and the nation.
“Convert us from our sins, Lord Jesus,” the priest prayed from the monument windows. “Bless all who live here, all who work here, all who govern here... Renew, Lord Jesus, Catholic faith in our country.”
Below, more than 200 pilgrims braved the morning rain, kneeling at the monument's base and singing hymns, including "God Bless America."
Unity in the Streets
The day’s events began with a morning Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the nation’s first Catholic cathedral. Celebrant Monsignor Jay O’Connor emphasized that the pilgrimage serves to assure a secular culture that Christ remains present to guide and encourage His people.
Following Mass, a solemn eucharistic procession marched down historic Charles Street. The public display of faith deeply moved onlookers:
Lucy Mae Curtis (63): A local Pentecostal neighbor, Curtis watched the procession in awe. "We need more of this," she remarked, noting that the city needs healing from division and hatred. "Who has the higher power?" she asked, encouraging people to look to Christ over divisive politics.
Kathy Bentz: A parishioner from Dundalk who took the day off work to attend. "I feel like I’m in the presence of good and it makes me want to do better," she said, noting that people everywhere are searching for hope.
The procession concluded back at the basilica, where participants gathered for fellowship alongside local visitors and individuals experiencing homelessness.
Honoring Maryland’s Revolutionary Legacy
The final day of the pilgrimage’s visit to the archdiocese moved to St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Annapolis. During his homily, Father James Bors drew powerful parallels between the feast day's saint, St. Barnabas, and Charles Carroll of Carrollton, the only Catholic signer of the Declaration of Independence, who lived adjacent to the church.
Father Bors noted that both men used their wealth and education to champion revolutionary movements against fierce headwinds:
St. Barnabas defended the conversion of St. Paul and won the crown of martyrdom.
Charles Carroll authored the "First Citizen" letters, helping to overturn anti-Catholic penal laws and laying the groundwork for religious liberty in America.
Father Bors challenged the faithful to continue these "new world movements"—both Catholicism and the American experiment—by rooted civic life in virtue, echoing Archbishop William E. Lori's recent pastoral letter, In Charity and Truth.
Next Stop: Across the Bay
The Baltimore part concluded with a striking three-boat procession. The perpetual pilgrims—including nine young adults who have walked every mile since the pilgrimage began in St. Augustine, Florida—departed across the Chesapeake Bay, carrying the Blessed Sacrament onward to the Diocese of Wilmington on Maryland's Eastern Shore.
Sources - https://catholicreview.org/national-pilgrimage-makes-history-with-first-eucharistic-pilgrimage-across-chesapeake-bay/
https://catholicreview.org/national-eucharistic-pilgrimage-features-a-blessing-for-baltimore-from-atop-the-washington-monument/
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