Archbishop Gomez blesses City of Angels and Archdiocese of Los Angeles

The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage concluded with a Solemnity of Corpus Christi Mass and Eucharistic Procession today at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles which ended with Archbishop José H. Gomez blessing the City of Angels and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles from Temple Street given the recent turmoil that has impacted the lives of so many in our communities (photo and video available upon request).

The national pilgrimage began in Indianapolis on May 18 with eight perpetual pilgrims on the 3,300-mile journey reaching countless communities across the nation spreading the Lord’s healing, conversion, unity, and peace through the Eucharist culminating in Los Angeles. Today’s gathering of Catholics from across the country in Los Angeles also celebrated the conclusion of a three-year initiative led by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops to revive the living faith in the hearts American Catholics drawing them closer to real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.

“We are happy to welcome the pilgrims who have come from across America, bearing the Eucharist in procession through the streets, sharing their love for Jesus all along the way,” said Archbishop José H. Gomez during the homily. “These past three years have been a season of grace for the whole Church in this country. I think we all have come to understand that the Eucharist is the heart of God’s plan of love for human history and his plan of love for each of our lives.”

Following the Mass commemorating the Solemnity of Corpus Christi (livestreamed on https://youtube.com/live/c1lAByezzdY), the faithful gathered for a Eucharistic Procession around the Cathedral Plaza led by Cardinal Christophe Pierre, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States of America, Archbishop Gomez, Bishop Cozzens and all auxiliary bishops of the Archdiocese. After the procession on the Plaza, the bishops headed to Temple Street with the Blessed Sacrament to bestow a special blessing upon the City of Los Angeles and the Archdiocese for peace, hope and healing.

“Jesus leaves us the Eucharist so that day after day, from East to West, from the rising of the sun to its setting, until the end of ages, his living presence will be revealed, and we will know his promise: that the power of the last enemy, death, has been defeated,” said Archbishop Gomez.

The pilgrimage arrived in the Archdiocese on Friday, June 20, with Mass at Mission Basilica San Buenaventura celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Slawomir Szkredka for the Santa Barbara Pastoral Region. Then the pilgrimage headed to Altadena for a Mass and Eucharistic Procession at Sacred Heart Church with families affected by the wildfires earlier this year.

On Saturday, June 21, Bishop Andrew Cozzens of the Diocese of Crookston and President of the National Eucharistic Congress Board led a prayer service with the perpetual pilgrims at Corpus Christi Church in Pacific Palisades which was destroyed in the wildfires earlier this year but within the ashes firefighters found an unscathed tabernacle with the Eucharist inside which was displayed at the Cathedral today for veneration (photos and video are available). Then the pilgrimage made its way to the Mission San Gabriel for an evening Mass followed by Eucharistic Adoration in the Old Mission Church.

“The Eucharistic Revival does not end today but continues in each one of us, you and me,” said Archbishop Gomez. “Let’s inspire our neighbors to see that the Love they are looking for is true and real, that this Love has a name, Jesus Christ! Let’s lead them to this Love that is ready to meet them in the mystery of the holy Eucharist!”

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