Beauty of the Eucharist to be topic of Women’s Pilgrimage

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Catholic author, podcaster and presenter Patty Schneier is convinced that a single day can make all the difference.

She hopes women throughout the Jefferson City diocese will set that day aside and attend the “Spring Into Summer” pilgrimage to the Cathedral of St. Joseph on Saturday, June 10, 2023.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity for women to come together, wherever we are in our journey of life, and share with each other the beauty of what we believe,” said Mrs. Schneier, keynote presenter at the event.

The theme will be “The Eucharist: Source and Summit of Our Christian Life.”

Organized by the diocesan Office of Women’s Ministry, the pilgrimage will be from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in the newly rededicated Cathedral of St. Joseph, 2305 W. Main Street, across the street from Memorial Park in Jefferson City.

It will be “a day of prayer, fellowship and faith formation.”

It will include a break-out session on ways to deepen one’s prayer life, Mrs. Schneier’s keynote presentation on the Eucharist, and Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

Tours of the Cathedral will be available.

The $10-per-person registration fee includes lunch.

Scholarship tickets are available.

Barbara Prasad, diocesan coordinator of Women’s Ministry, hopes to organize similar events each spring and fall.

Mrs. Schneier is a St. Louis native, lifelong Catholic, and mother of a priest of the St. Louis archdiocese.

She’s the host of the “Daily Dose of Encouragement with Patty Schneier” podcast, heard over Covenant Radio and on-demand through major podcast distributors, and the author of Love Letters From Mom on What Matters Most, with insights into raising children to keep the faith.

She has been traveling to dioceses, parishes and schools throughout the United States for the past 20 years, giving retreats and leading days of recollection.

“I want to help families grow in their love and reverence for the Eucharist,” she said.

She said her overarching mission is — “to help people see the beauty and experience the joy of our Catholic faith.”

“The ripple effect of that in our lives — we have no idea how that can send you on a whole new journey, drawing you closer to God,” she stated. “And the ripple effect THAT can have on our families is huge!”

She’ll share the story of her own conversion experience in 2002, involving a profound recognition of the beauty of the Eucharist and the Catholic faith.

“When we have an increased love of the Eucharist, it helps us to want to participate more fully at Mass, to realize what we’re receiving at Mass, and to want to prolong that experience through Adoration,” she stated.

That’s particularly timely for families that want to pass the faith along to their children, which is becoming increasingly difficult.

Tours of the recently renovated and expanded Cathedral will be available, with docents explaining the significance of the sacred artwork and sanctuary fixtures.

“It’s one thing to see how nice it all looks, and quite another to be able to appreciate the beauty and theological significance of each piece and have it help you in your prayer and worship,” Mrs. Schneier noted.

She’s convinced that this “mini-pilgrimage” will be time well spent for all participants, regardless of the distance they travel.

“To take time out to in a holy place with other Catholic women from all over the diocese to share encouragement and fellowship and be rejuvenated in our faith together — that’s not something you get to do every day,” she said.

To prepare for the day, she suggested spending 10 minutes in church, quietly adoring Christ.

“Start with a few minutes and see how it can change your life,” she said.

As she prepares for the event, she requested prayers “that Jesus will have his way in the heart of every woman who attends this event and that the Holy Spirit will then take over.”

Register online for the “Spring into Summer” pilgrimage at: diojeffcity.org/wmjuneregistration.

For more information about Mrs. Schneier, visit her website at pattyschneier.com.

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