Visit to gravesite of Father Tolton part of National Eucharistic Pilgrimage on Tuesday in Quincy

QUINCY — Area Catholics can commemorate the 127^th anniversary of the death of Father Augustine Tolton — who grew up in Quincy, ministered in Quincy and is buried in Quincy — by participating in a Eucharistic pilgrimage procession and prayers for his beatification and canonization on Tuesday.

Father Tolton is recognized as the first Black priest in the United States. The cause for his beatification and canonization of sainthood is underway in Rome. The Junipero Serra branch of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage will join the annual procession to Father Tolton’s grave as it makes its way to Indianapolis. 

The National Eucharistic Pilgrimage is an opportunity for Catholics to pray and publicly follow Jesus in their cities through Eucharistic processions. The Diocese of Springfield in Illinois is included in one of the four national routes July 8-12 that will eventually finish in Indianapolis for the National Eucharistic Congress. 

The procession begins Monday in Collinsville and Alton. It begins Tuesday in Quincy at 5:30 p.m. when a one-mile procession will go from St. Peter Church, 2600 Maine, to Father Tolton’s grave in St. Peter Cemetery, 3400 Broadway. A potluck dinner and witness talks will begin at 7:30 p.m. at St. Francis Solanus Church, 1721 College, followed by Eucharistic adoration from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.

People who want to participate but can’t walk in the procession are asked to park near the cemetery to meet the procession at the gravesite. Parking in the cemetery is not allowed. Chairs and bottled water will be provided for participants.

A Mass will be held at 8 a.m. Wednesday at St. Francis Solanus before the pilgrimage heads to Girard and Springfield. It will conclude Friday in Teutopolis.

Register at dio.org and for more information.