Washington, D.C
'Jesus is here': Thousands join Eucharistic procession in Washington, DC
Washington, D.C. – Thousands of people turned out in Washington, D.C., on Saturday as part of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage in a public display of faith and devotion to Jesus Christ.
The pilgrimage was one of four from across the country that will converge in Indianapolis, Indiana, in July, ahead of the National Eucharistic Congress.
Pilgrims along the “Seton Route,” which began in New Haven, Connecticut, on May 17, reached Washington on June 8.
THE EUCHARIST IS A ‘MIRACLE OF LOVE, HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT,’ SAYS RHODE ISLAND PRIEST
They will remain in Washington on the morning of June 9, then continue their pilgrimage in Loretto, Pennsylvania, on Monday, June 10.
More than 2,500 people registered in advance to attend a Mass celebrated at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception before the start of Saturday’s procession, an employee of the Archdiocese of Washington told Fox News Digital.
“It’s just a great time with the Lord,” one deacon told Fox News Digital on Saturday during the pilgrimage. (Christine Rousselle/Fox News Digital)
One of those was Sherri Sarcemo from Rockland, Maryland. She served as a volunteer at the procession and walked the day’s route, she said. Volunteers were there to keep things orderly, make sure people followed directions and push the loudspeaker, through which the praying of the Rosary could be heard.
The Catholic Church believes the “whole Christ is truly present — body, blood, soul and divinity — under the appearances of bread and wine” in the Eucharist, according to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
SOUTH CAROLINA PRIEST SAYS FEAST OF CORPUS CHRISTI IS A REMINDER THAT GOD WANTS ‘TO BE WITH US’
As a result, the consecrated host becomes an object of devotion — and the pilgrims believe they are traveling with Jesus throughout the procession along the streets of various cities.
It’s “a great way to interact and share faith with others here.”
Eucharistic adoration is “a very beautiful way to honor and give glory to our Lord Jesus Christ,” said Sarcemo.
She volunteered during the pilgrimage as a “a great way to interact and share faith with others here,” she said.
Volunteers pose outside the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception ahead of the Eucharistic pilgrimage on Saturday, June 8. (Christine Rousselle/Fox News Digital)
The Catholic faith, she said, emphasizes prayer and penance.
A pilgrimage, especially one on a hot day in June in Washington, D.C., provides the opportunity for someone to “offer the discomfort as reparation for the sins of the world,” she said.
Throughout Saturday’s event, the pilgrimage made several stops around Washington’s Brookland neighborhood, where attendees had the chance to listen to lessons about Jesus Christ and sit in Eucharistic adoration.
POPE FRANCIS PAVES WAY FOR CANONIZATION OF CARLO ACUTIS, FIRST MILLENNIAL SAINT
The procession was led by a priest holding a “monstrance” — a special container that displays the Eucharist.
Deacon Steve Nash, assigned to a parish in Largo, Maryland, told Fox News Digital that this was the first time he’s participated in a Eucharistic procession of this magnitude.
Thousands of people turned out on Saturday morning, June 8, to partake in the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage’s stop in Washington, D.C. (Christine Rousselle/Fox News Digital)
“Jesus needs to be brought to the whole world,” he said. “We’re all sinners. So it’s good that we are here.”
Said Nash, “There’s no better place to be than here in the whole wide universe — being with the Eucharist and being with others, and preparing for the Eucharistic Congress in July as well. It’s just a great time with the Lord.”
He added, “This is awesome.”
“It’s so special to be able to bring Him to others. I’ve been looking forward to this since I heard about it.”
Elle Rush from Arlington, Virginia, was beaming as she spoke to Fox News Digital about her excitement ahead of the pilgrimage’s start.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR LIFESTYLE NEWSLETTER
“Jesus is here,” she said. “We get to walk around, we get to follow Him through the streets.”
Her friend, Flanigen Phillips of Nashville, said, “It’s so special to be able to bring Him to others. I’ve been looking forward to this since I heard about it.”
Some of those in attendance in Washington, D.C., told Fox News Digital they believed it was important to bring Jesus to the cities. (Christine Rousselle/Fox News Digital)
Among the crowd assembled were several “perpetual pilgrims.” These young adults will be following the pilgrimage full time from its beginning in May to its conclusion in July.
One person who did not initially plan on attending the pilgrimage on Saturday was Ethan Strohmetz.
A student at the Catholic University of America in Washington, he was unaware the pilgrimage was happening until he bumped into it while getting coffee.
“I just stepped outside and watched it go by,” he said.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Strohmetz said he had previously participated in Eucharistic adoration but was surprised to see such a large procession.
“A good start to the morning,” he told Fox News Digital.
There have been nine previous instances of the National Eucharistic Congress; this year’s is the first since 1941.
For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle
The Associated Press contributed reporting.
Viewers and media industry professionals alike are sharing tributes to Derrick Ward, a longtime Washington, D.C., television journalist who died Tuesday at age 62.
Ward’s death followed complications from a recent cardiac arrest and was confirmed Wednesday by NBC 4 Washington (WRC-TV), where he’d been employed since 2006.
“Derrick has been an inspiration and cherished member of our family and his hometown community,” Ward’s family told the outlet in a statement that was shared during Wednesday’s broadcast. “As a distinguished journalist, Derrick’s storytelling, prolific writing, warmth and humor touched countless lives. Our children and our entire family will miss him dearly.”
As of Thursday afternoon, news of Ward’s passing had drawn an outpouring of condolences online.
“Stunned to hear of his passing. Watched that great man for over two decades tell some riveting stories all with class, respect, and precision,” podcaster Lee Sanders wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “Well diverse and extremely talented man. Thoughts to his friends, family and colleagues. Not a good start to 2025.”
Watch an NBC 4 report on Derrick Ward’s death below.
Fox 5 DC journalist Tom Fitzgerald felt similarly, describing Ward as “one of the most pleasant people I’ve ever spent time with.”
“I’ll miss the graciousness, professionalism, kindness and glowing smile of this true gentleman,” he wrote on X. “Peace to his family, friends & NBC 4 colleagues.”
A Washington, D.C., native, Ward began his journalism career in radio, where he covered the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the D.C. sniper shootings of 2003, among other major stories. He then transitioned to television reporting when he landed a gig at WKBW-TV in Buffalo, New York.
Appearing on the “Architecture Is Political” podcast in 2020, Ward recalled how his love of storytelling inspired him to pursue a career in journalism.
“I want to tell the stories of this town that I grew up in,” he said. “I like doing things that can resonate with somebody ― if you can say something or write something somewhere and it just gets someone’s attention or whatever point you’re trying to make gets off and they can say, ‘Hmmm’ or ‘Uh huh.’ It’s the same reason that people do music and other things, I guess, is to look for that resonance.”
We Need Your Support
Support HuffPost
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.
In addition to his professional background, Ward was known as an avid golfer and guitar player. He is survived by his three children: Derrick Jr., Ian and Marisa.
Washington, D.C
Suburban family coordinated Jimmy Carter's Washington D.C. funeral: 'It was really beautiful'
WASHINGTON (WLS) — The public funeral celebrating former President Jimmy Carter’s life and legacy was coordinated by a family that hails from the Chicago suburbs.
Rick Jasculca, a Chicago public affairs executive, worked for and with Carter for years, and considered him family.
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch
It was a somber day that included stories of Carter that brought laughs, as well as tears.
Thursday was a national day of mourning to honor and remember Carter; President Joe Biden delivered a eulogy.
“Throughout his life he showed us what it means to be a practitioner of good works, a good and faithful servant of God and of the people,” Biden said.
The gathering was a time for the nation to come together, to put aside politics and join the Carter family in remembering the legacy of the 39th president.
“They were small town people who never forgot who they were and where they were from, no matter what happened in their lives,” grandson Jason Carter said.
Jasculca worked on Carter’s 1976 presidential campaign, and did advance work when Carter became president.
He later joined his daughters, Lauren and Aimee, and son, Andrew, working with the Carter Center.
The four family members served as overall coordinators of the ceremony Thursday in Washington, D.C.
Jasculca reflected on the ceremony before returning to Chicago.
“It was really beautiful. You know, I think it really captured the totality of Jimmy Carter,” Jasculca said.
It was a sentiment echoed often during Thursday’s ceremony.
“He had the courage and strength to stick to his principals, even when they were politically unpopular,” Jason Carter said.
Jasculca considered Carter a second father, who became dear to his entire family.
“My grandkids call me ‘Bop’; that’s their name for me. And they call President Carter ‘Bop Jimmy,’” Jasculca said.
Jasculca said, during their ceremony, he had a few moments. But, the emotions really hit him after.
“But, when we got to Andrews Air Force Base, and I knew this was the last time, you know, I’d be able to say goodbye, I just I, I’ll be honest, I bust out crying on the tarmac,” Jasculca said.
Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.
Mailman's family breaks silence after father of 2 killed on lunch break
New York’s Chinese Dissidents Thought He Was an Ally. He Was a Spy.
Palisades, Eaton fire victims’ homeowners insurance protected through 2026
Michigan native’s home in California destroyed in wildfire
San Francisco secures 81-72 win over Portland
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
Why Marjorie Taylor Greene was ‘kicked out’ of the Freedom Caucus according to Rep. Buck
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
Mapping the Damage From the Palisades Fire
Appeals court will not block partial release of special counsel Jack Smith's Trump report
‘Much more persecution’: Venezuela braces for Nicolas Maduro’s inauguration
Mondale and Ford’s eulogies written for Carter read by sons at funeral
Elon Musk Downplays the Role of Climate in L.A. Fires, Scientists Say
-
Business1 week agoThese are the top 7 issues facing the struggling restaurant industry in 2025
-
Culture1 week agoThe 25 worst losses in college football history, including Baylor’s 2024 entry at Colorado
-
Sports1 week agoThe top out-of-contract players available as free transfers: Kimmich, De Bruyne, Van Dijk…
-
Politics1 week agoNew Orleans attacker had 'remote detonator' for explosives in French Quarter, Biden says
-
Politics1 week agoCarter's judicial picks reshaped the federal bench across the country
-
Politics6 days agoWho Are the Recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom?
-
Health5 days agoOzempic ‘microdosing’ is the new weight-loss trend: Should you try it?
-
World1 week agoIvory Coast says French troops to leave country after decades