Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki
Archbishop of Milwaukee
 

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

At various times throughout our family history, we eagerly anticipate a visit from a relative or family friend. It might be an aunt, uncle, cousin, or dear friend who was revered for their shared experience, success, or achievement in life. We would hear stories about them and celebrate our family history. There was excitement in the air as the home was prepared and dinner made ready; the visits celebrated our personal relationship.

In my academic years in law school, I remember the excitement surrounding a visit to DePaul University in Chicago from retired U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren. It was the decisions of his court that I studied, decisions that fashioned the law. This historical period of the Supreme Court and its decisions was referred to as the “Warren Court.” The visit made the law come alive for me.

One visit that left an indelible mark on my memory took place on Feb. 22, 1980, at the North American College in Rome, Italy. Pope John Paul II was a new Pope at just 59 years old. I was 30 years old. He was the first non-Italian Pope in 450 years, and had a vitality that excited everyone. Pope John Paul II was a person who knew the significance of the moment, and he specifically chose February 22 because it was the birthday of America’s first president, George Washington. 

All of us had pictures taken with the Pope. I cherish mine to this very day, some 44 years later. His visit connected us to the Universal Church, and inspired and challenged us to be better priests.        

This Tuesday evening, June 18 in Kiel, Wisconsin, the Archdiocese of Milwaukee will receive a memorable visit – and that is the visit of Our Lord as we receive the monstrance from the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, recognizing the Real Presence of Our Lord Jesus Christ. Accompanied with Him will be perpetual pilgrims as they make their way across the United States through the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. 

This pilgrimage is part of the Eucharistic Revival, established by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. This procession has four starting points and will transverse the United States of America and culminate in Indianapolis at the National Eucharistic Congress. This pilgrimage is a spiritual journey which is the witness of fellow believers in the Real Presence of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. 

Bishop David Ricken of the Diocese of Green Bay will celebrate a Mass at 5:30 p.m. at Saints Peter and Paul Parish in Kiel, Wisconsin., where I will also concelebrate. As stated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Eucharist is “the source and summit of the Christian life.” (1324-1327) The northern route of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage crossing our archdiocese is called the Marian Route. We are blessed to have several sacred places dedicated to the Blessed Mother, who in a certain sense was the first tabernacle of the Real Presence. Through her “yes,” she carried our Lord, fulfilling God the Father’s request to be the Mother of Our Lord. Champion, Wisconsin, is the site of the only authenticated apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the entire United States. 

I encourage you to join in the pilgrimage or receive the visit of the procession at one of the more than 50 sites in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee (www.archmil.org/Pilgrimage/stops). Graces abound and I know that there are many favors that will be granted by Our Lord to those who are faithful in their witness to His presence as they accompany Him throughout this Eucharistic Revival.

There are special visits in our lives, some celebrate our familial relationships, some make our words come alive, and some inspire us to be better. The visit of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage publicly celebrates our relationship, the “Word” of Scripture comes alive, and we are inspired to be other Christs as we LOVE ONE ANOTHER.    

Sincerely,

Most Reverend Jerome E. Listecki

Archbishop of Milwaukee          

Note: This blog originally appeared as the June 18, 2024, "Love One Another" email sent to Catholics throughout the Archdiocese of Milwaukee by Archbishop Jerome E. Listecki. If you are interested in signing up for these email messages, please click here.