‘One Nation Under God:’ 2026 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage inspired by 250th anniversary of U.S.

Jan 9, 2026 / 08:00 am

In celebration of the United States of America’s 250th anniversary, the 2026 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage’s theme is “One Nation Under God.” Pilgrims will journey on the St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Route to honor the first American citizen to be canonized.

“One Nation Under God is not a borrowed slogan; rather, it is an invitation to realign our lives, our communities, and our country under the sovereignty of Jesus Christ,” said Jason Shanks, president of the National Eucharistic Congress, in a press release.

The 2026 pilgrimage will take place 75 years after the phrase “One Nation Under God” was officially added to the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance. On June 14, 1954, Flag Day, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the law adding “under God,” completing a campaign launched in 1951 by the Knights of Columbus.

Inspired by the nation’s historic anniversary, the National Eucharistic Congress wanted “to lean into that moment in our Church and in our country to highlight how Catholics have contributed to this great American experience,” said Shanks during a Jan. 8 interview with “EWTN News Nightly.”

Cabrini Route

The 2026 pilgrimage is set to kick off on May 24 in St. Augustine, Florida, and conclude on July 5 in Philadelphia.

The pilgrimage will pass through most of the original 13 colonies. Pilgrims will travel the Eastern Seaboard along the Cabrini Route in honor of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, the first American citizen to be canonized.

As an Italian immigrant, Cabrini “really gave her life, her heart, her passion to serving immigrants in New York,” Shanks said during the interview. “We just thought that she was a good representation, particularly as we focused on a national moment to think about how the United States is made up of a variety of cultures and diversity. She also gives us a real sense of what it looks like to be Catholic and to be patriotic.”

“It gives us a moment to reflect on her service and her life as we process to Philadelphia,” Shanks said. “We’re asking for her blessing and her intercession as we embark on this great pilgrimage.”

Throughout the pilgrimage, 18 dioceses will host public events as pilgrims make their way up toward Pennsylvania. The procession will pass through the dioceses of St. Augustine, Florida; Savannah, Georgia; Charleston, South Carolina; Charlotte, North Carolina; Richmond and Arlington, Virginia; Washington D.C.; Baltimore; Wilmington, Delaware; Camden and Paterson, New Jersey; Manchester, New Hampshire; Portland, Maine; Boston, Springfield, and Fall River, Massachusetts; Providence, Rhode Island; and Philadelphia.

Pilgrimage highlights

Bringing Jesus’ presence to the streets is an opportunity to “pray for unity and healing in our great country,” Shanks said.

In light of the United States Conference Bishops’ (USCCB) decision to consecrate America to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the 2026 pilgrimage brings Jesus himself directly to the American people with opportunities for public participation in processions, Masses, devotionals, service projects, and more.

The journey will begin with an opening Mass at Our Lady of La Leche Shrine in Florida, the site of the first Mass celebrated on American soil. Other events include commemorations of the Georgia Martyrs and a celebration of the feast of Corpus Christi in the Archdiocese of Washington and the Diocese of Arlington.

A national prayer campaign and a digital lecture series also will be launched highlighting themes of America through a Catholic lens.

While all Catholics are invited to join for part of the journey, eight young adult perpetual pilgrims and a media missionary will travel the full route. They will partake in a private midpoint retreat at the St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Shrine in New York City.

“These are young people from all walks of life in our country. Typically, what we see post-pilgrimage is their lives are transformed,” Shanks said. “Some join seminary, others join religious life. But they’re a real inspiration to all of us. But they’re like all of us. Their lives are there to be transformed by the Lord.”

The pilgrims final stop will be in Philadelphia, the city where the Declaration of Independence was signed. The concluding weekend will feature all-day Eucharistic adoration on July 4, a closing Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, and a final Eucharistic procession to the National Shrine of St. John Neumann.