On Pentecost – the day the Church was sent into the world – the Diocese of St. Augustine will become the starting point for a national movement of faith.

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, a National Eucharistic Pilgrimage will begin where Catholic history in this country took root, inviting people not only to remember, but to step forward and witness their faith in a visible, public way.

The pilgrimage launches Memorial Day weekend at the National Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche at Mission Nombre de Dios, 101 San Marco Ave., St. Augustine. From there, it will travel to Christ the King Parish in Jacksonville and St. Michael Parish in Fernandina Beach before crossing into the Diocese of Savannah, continuing up the East Coast and concluding near Independence Day in Philadelphia.

The weekend opens May 22 with an outdoor concert at the Shrine featuring national Catholic artists Sean Forrest and Sarah Kroger, along with Stella and Father Matt King and "Msgr. & Sons." The concert is a ticketed event, with details available at missionandshrine.org/pilgrimage-250.

At the heart of the weekend is the Pentecost Mass celebrated by Bishop Erik Pohlmeier at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 24 at the outdoor altar behind the Shrine Church, followed by a eucharistic procession to the Historic Chapel and an afternoon of adoration, prayer and reflection. A family rosary, broadcast live and led by Relevant Radio, will also be part of the day's events.

The faithful will have multiple opportunities to take part as the pilgrimage unfolds. Eucharistic processions are scheduled at 5 p.m. May 24 from the Shrine to the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine, at 10:15 a.m. May 25 at Christ the King Parish and at 3:15 p.m. May 25 from St. Michael Parish to the Fernandina Beach pier. In a procession, the Blessed Sacrament is carried through public spaces in prayer, while a pilgrimage invites participants to journey together in faith.

Events throughout May 22-25 include eucharistic adoration, confession, service opportunities and guided experiences such as the First Coast Camino and the Florida Martyrs immersion walk. All events are free and open to the public. Participants are encouraged to invite others to share the experience.

With the theme "One Nation Under God," the pilgrimage seeks to foster unity, healing and hope – not only for the Church, but for the nation.

LEARN MORE: For a full schedule and details, visit dosafl.com/pilgrimage-250 or missionandshrine.org/pilgrimage-250.