Faithful on the Seton Route of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage recently boarded an old-fashioned “sternwheeler” and processed down the Ohio River with the Blessed Sacrament.

The ship departed from Steubenville, Ohio, on Sunday, June 23, and traveled 30 miles down the river while blessing several groups and locations.

Father Roger Landry holds aloft the Blessed Sacrament aboard the vessel "Sewickley" on the Ohio River near Steubenville, Sunday, June 23, 2024. Credit: Colleen Rowan
Father Roger Landry holds aloft the Blessed Sacrament aboard the vessel "Sewickley" on the Ohio River near Steubenville, Sunday, June 23, 2024. Credit: Colleen Rowan

At the National Catholic Register, CNA’s sister news partner, photojournalist Jeff Bruno called the event “stunningly scriptural.”

Religious sisters pray at the Ohio River near Steubenville, Sunday, June 23, 2024. Credit: Colleen Rowan
Religious sisters pray at the Ohio River near Steubenville, Sunday, June 23, 2024. Credit: Colleen Rowan

Bruno described a multitude of pilgrims gathered on the banks of the river with “soul-deep love and adoration for Christ, anxiously awaiting his arrival.”

The faithful kneel before the Blessed Sacrament as it processes aboard the vessel "Sewickley" on the Ohio River near Steubenville, Sunday, June 23, 2024. Credit: Jeff Bruno
The faithful kneel before the Blessed Sacrament as it processes aboard the vessel "Sewickley" on the Ohio River near Steubenville, Sunday, June 23, 2024. Credit: Jeff Bruno

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“I traveled from location to location and met different communities of faithful: different, but the same, in that they were all awaiting Jesus on the gently flowing banks of the Ohio River,” Bruno wrote.

Pilgrims kneel as the Blessed Sacrament passes aboard the vessel "Sewickley" on the Ohio River near Steubenville, Sunday, June 23, 2024. Credit: Colleen Rowan
Pilgrims kneel as the Blessed Sacrament passes aboard the vessel "Sewickley" on the Ohio River near Steubenville, Sunday, June 23, 2024. Credit: Colleen Rowan

The Seton Route of the pilgrimage began with Mass at the birthplace of the Knights of Columbus, St. Mary’s Church in New Haven, Connecticut, on May 18.

The four routes of the pilgrimage will ultimately traverse 6,500 miles, 27 states, and 65 dioceses while carrying Christ in the Eucharist.

Pilgrims pray as the Blessed Sacrament passes aboard the vessel ‘Sewickley' on the Ohio River near Steubenville, Sunday, June 23, 2024. Credit: Colleen Rowan
Pilgrims pray as the Blessed Sacrament passes aboard the vessel ‘Sewickley' on the Ohio River near Steubenville, Sunday, June 23, 2024. Credit: Colleen Rowan

The routes will converge in Indianapolis on July 16 for the 10th National Eucharistic Congress from July 17–21.