← News feed Pan-Orthodox

National Eucharistic Pilgrimage 2026 ends in Philadelphia, mission of evangelization continues

July 6, 2026 · 1 min read

Wiping a bead of sweat from his forehead, Father Matt Brody of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia surveyed the throng of faithful making their way down Philadelphia’s Broad Street praying the rosary.

“People want to know why they are braving the heat to follow a canopy,” he explained to EWTN News. “I’ve already explained to three people what the Eucharist is. They are curious about the monstrance, and this gives a chance to evangelize.”

Evangelization was the chief mission of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage 2026, which ended Sunday after passing through 18 dioceses since it began on May 24 in St. Augustine, Florida.

Bishops and clergy process through the packed cathedral during the entrance procession for the closing Mass of the 2026 National Eucharistic Pilgrimage in Philadelphia, Sunday, July 5, 2026. | Credit: Jeffrey Bruno

The final stop in Philadelphia took on a patriotic theme in the City of Brotherly Love as about 2,000 believers squeezed into the Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul for Mass. Beforehand, sisters knelt before the relics of St. Katharine Drexel, one of America’s first saints. This year’s pilgrimage placed special emphasis on the American…

Source: Catholic News Agency · Read the full story →

⚑ Report

💬 Comments (10) 🌐 Show original

Максим Лисенко

It is good that people on the street directly ask about the Eucharist and the monstrance. Father Matt Brody is a good explainer. But it is interesting how many of those 2,000 in the cathedral then continue this evangelization at home, and not only at the procession.

Дарья Морозова

It’s good that Father Matt Brody explains right on the street what the Eucharist is and what monstrance is for - it is true evangelization. And from Tsikavo, many of these sisters who prayed before the relics of St. Catherine Drexel, then carried them to their parishes. We also have processes in Kazan, even if there are 2000 in the category, you rarely get that much.

ريتا حداد

Yes, I'm not sure if I'm going to eat it again. таке Євхаристія і для чого монстранс. And then there was a lot of fun in the game. It's too late, too. After 2000 years, the number of children was 2000 years old. Now, there is nothing wrong with it.

ميرنا حداد

Yes, the street is always the best place to start. In Beirut, after praying the Rosary in Saint Joseph Church, a mother once came with her child asking about the woman. After we explained to her, she simply returned the following week with her neighbor. Do you have people in Homs who keep the young men after inquiring and ask for a second meeting?

Алексей Семёнов

Father Matt Brodie is great for explaining what monstrance and the Eucharist are right on Broad Street - that's real work. After the procession to the Transfiguration, passers-by also came up to us a couple of times and asked why the priest was carrying a “golden lantern.” I wonder how many of these 2,000 in Philadelphia then continued such conversations at home, and not just at the procession.

Марина Волкова

Father Matt Brody is great for explaining the Eucharist and monstrance right on Broad Street while people are walking in the heat. After the Assumption procession, a couple of passers-by also asked us what the “golden thing” was under the canopy. I wonder how many of these 2000 in the cathedral will then continue such conversations with their neighbors at home.

Viorica Lungu

It's good that Father Matt Brody explains on the street what monstrance is and how it is with the Eucharist, even in that heat. A neighbor once came to us after the Epiphany procession and asked me why the priest was carrying "that golden box". I also wonder how many of the 2000 in the cathedral continue to talk about it at home.

Христина Панченко

I agree Maxime, Father Matt really seizes the moment. But those 2,000 in the cathedral - I wonder how many of them will simply tell their neighbors about what they saw, and not just light a candle. In our parish, after such processions, we always want people to carry it on, like in baking - one recipe and shared with everyone. And what do you think most helps people to continue at home?

Георгий Новиков

Father Matt Brody is really great for not being shy about speaking out on the street. In Rostov, after the procession at Epiphany, people also came up with questions about icons and banners, and then one neighbor asked about the service for a week. I wonder how many of those who asked you for the Assumption later came to church?

Василь Коваль

I agree, Christina, Father Matt really does not miss an opportunity to explain what kind of monstrance it is. As for the continuation at home, it seems to me that it helps the most when a person reads the Gospel by himself at least once over coffee in the morning, and not only after the procession. Do you have a simple way in your parish so that people do not forget that "recipe" within a week?