Saturdays are dedicated to service on all four of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage routes throughout the U.S., and the Marian Route’s time in the Archdiocese of Chicago was no different. On June 29, parishes, ministries and organizations organized service opportunities that began with Mass and then sent volunteers to help those in need.

Kolbe House, the archdiocese’s jail ministry, hosted about 25 people for an outdoor Mass in its garden at the corner of California Avenue and West 24th Boulevard. After the homily, participants read testimonies from incarcerated people that revealed their feelings about being in jail and the power of God in their lives — a power, many wrote, that was revealed to them through the work of Kolbe House.

“It helps if, when we pray, those of us who are ‘on the inside’ pray for those ‘on the outside,’” one inmate wrote. “Even though our situation is not all that great, it helps to remember other folks who are also struggling.”

Following Mass, participants wrote cards to specific people identified by Kolbe House who are incarcerated in Cook County Jail.

Emily Cortina, coordinator of outreach and formation for Kolbe House, said the ministry welcomed the opportunity to hold the service day in conjunction with the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage.

“It’s reminding us that the Eucharist immerses us in the reality of the world,” she said. “That’s why we did this Mass outside right along this busy, noisy street, and why we’re writing cards to people in our communities who are going through very, very difficult circumstances, because that is really us living the Eucharist.”

Something as simple as writing a card to someone who is incarcerated makes a big impact on those who receive them, she said.

“This connection to the outside world is really a lifeline for so many folks who are in prison,” Cortina said. “Many, many people lost ties with any family, friends or community that they had, and they feel so alone and so isolated. These cards are a very small thing for us that makes such a big impact on that person’s day.”

A card is something an inmate can keep and reread as a reminder that they are not alone, she said.  

“Maybe there is not a lot that we can do right now to change their circumstances, but we are committed to walking with them and to working for justice long term as well, and trying to improve conditions and change the way justice is imagined in our community,” Cortina said. “It brings so much hope to people who are in prison.”

Fourth-year medical student Doreen Elrad was one of those who participated in the service day.

Helping those who are incarcerated is a personal mission for Elrad. A cousin of hers in Israel had mental illness, and he was jailed when she was 11. She wanted to visit him in prison and tell him how much she supported and loved him, but he didn’t want to see her, Elrad said.

That had a profound impact on her, Elrad said, and that is why she is pursuing psychiatry. She has been volunteering with Kolbe House since December.

“I get to work with a lot of wonderful patients with mental illness, but I don’t get to work with people incarcerated and Kolbe House has given me that chance,” Elrad said.

Just a few miles north in West Humboldt Park, the Mission of Our Lady of the Angels held a block party for local residents and patrons of their weekly food pantry.

Families and individuals filled tables in three locations with available shade in the 90-degree weather enjoying hot dogs, hamburgers, potato chips, cookies and ice cream. Children and adults played games in a small park across from the former school, and children earned prizes. A water and energy drink station provided much needed refreshment on the sunny, hot day. And the popcorn station was very popular.

The day started with Mass, and eucharistic adoration took place in the church during the entire block party.

Before the event wrapped up with Benediction in the church, two pilgrims walking the Marian Route gave witness testimonies outside, one in Spanish and one in English.

Grant Kissell, a University of Notre Dame student, volunteered at the event along with fellow students who are interning with St. Joseph Financial Services in South Bend, Indiana.

“As a Catholic business, we are called to go out and serve the people,” said Kissell, who is studying both theology and finance. “In serving these other people, we are also serving God, because Christ says to us what we do for the least of those among us we do for him.”

The Eucharist inspires that service, he said.

“When we receive the Eucharist, that’s fuel for the journey,” Kissell said. “That’s what inspires us to come out and do things like this. Being able to immerse ourselves with these people and this community is the epitome of what we are called to do. It’s why we receive the Eucharist. It’s goodness. It’s so pure.”

The need to serve others is directly related to the power of the Eucharist, said Auxiliary Bishop Robert Lombardo, founder of the Franciscans of the Eucharist of Chicago and a member of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops National Eucharistic Revival Committee.

“At the Mass, we are sent forth to be the presence of Jesus in the world, to be his hands, his feet, his mouth,” Bishop Lombardo said. “And we have to do what he asked us to do — take care of the people in our midst, especially the needy.”