CHARLOTTE — Diocesan officials have confirmed that the Bishop’s Youth Pilgrimage, scheduled for March 27 at Belmont Abbey College, is canceled again this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The annual event typically draws more than 1,000 middle school and high school youth from parishes across the diocese who gather at Belmont Abbey College for a day-long event centered on the Eucharist.
Public health measures, including North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper’s limit on mass gatherings, meant organizers had no choice but to cancel the event as they did last year when the pandemic emerged. There is no alternate date.
The Bishop’s Youth Pilgrimage is a component of the annual Eucharistic Congress. This year’s Eucharistic Congress theme is “As I Have Loved You,” from the Gospel of John 13:34.
The 17th annual Eucharistic Congress is scheduled for Sept. 17-18 at the Charlotte Convention Center. The popular event – an opportunity for people across the Diocese of Charlotte to come together for Mass, Eucharistic Adoration, educational talks and fellowship – was held virtually last fall because of the pandemic.
If the Eucharistic Congress takes place as an in-person event this fall, there will be an opportunity for youth to register and participate in youth tracks at the Eucharistic Congress during the day on Saturday, Sept. 18.
— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter
Get updates online
At www.goeucharist.com: Get information about the 2021 Eucharistic Congress, in English and Spanish, as it is developed.