May 6, 2025 // Diocese

‘Ready to Follow Jesus’

Eric Peat

Perpetual Pilgrim from Fort Wayne Set to Begin 3,000-Mile Journey with National Eucharistic Pilgrimage

Jesus is on the move again, and He’s not travelling alone.

Ten months after nearly 60,000 people converged on Indianapolis to bear witness to the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist at the 10th National Eucharistic Congress, the three-year National Eucharistic Revival will culminate with a pilgrimage from the Circle City to Los Angeles. Accompanying Our Lord on every step of the journey will be one of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend’s own.

Johnny S, Hernandez, a parishioner of St. Henry in Fort Wayne, is one of eight young adults selected as “perpetual pilgrims” for the upcoming National Eucharistic Pilgrimage. These eight individuals, consisting of college students and young professionals from across the country, will walk the St. Katharine Drexel Route – a 3,340-mile trek through 20 dioceses and 10 states, beginning in Indianapolis on Sunday, May 18, and concluding in Los Angeles on June 22, the solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi Sunday). While countless faithful across the United States will come to witness the procession or even walk portions of the journey, only the eight perpetual pilgrims will accompany the Blessed Sacrament the entire way.

“It was surreal, because I didn’t believe it at first – I didn’t believe this was actually coming true,” Hernandez told Today’s Catholic of his reaction to being chosen. “I didn’t think I was qualified for it, but when they announced it, they said, ‘I saw this in you: a heart of service, someone who wanted to help out.’ I didn’t see myself like that, but other people seeing it in me, I think was just a blessing.”

‘God Has Planted Those Seeds’

In reality, Hernandez’s selection as a perpetual pilgrim almost didn’t happen.

He had initially been interested in the opportunity but admitted to being “spiritually lazy” and didn’t apply until the very last day at the prompting of a friend. He didn’t think much of it until an email somehow got through while he was hiking in the woods, and he just happened to find it in his junk mail, which he rarely ever checks. The email was a reminder that only three days remained to register for an interview, something Hernandez didn’t realize he had to do. He booked an interview the next day.

“The interview process was really cool, because you reflect on so many things that you talk about,” said Hernandez, referencing his volunteer work as a Fraternus captain at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish and a catechist for confirmation at St. Henry. “And you notice that God has planted those seeds here and there. I think, for me, that was one of the blessings of the interview process, because the things you don’t notice, you start noticing – and then after that, you can take your reflection with you.”

‘Alive in His Faith’

For Hernandez, it’s all part of a deepening of faith that began with attending World Youth Day in Lisbon in 2023 with a group from St. Henry, led by Father Matt Coonan. Jocelyn Rouch, director of Youth and Young Adult Ministry for the diocese, witnessed the pilgrimage’s impact on Hernandez while still in Portugal.

“I distinctly remember meeting him, as we were walking back to our hotel from a big event,” Rouch told Today’s Catholic. “He was so on fire, so excited to be there, and I was like, ‘Who is this kid?’ … He just seemed really extroverted, really outgoing, and excited to be there.”

That fire kept burning after returning home. Not long after World Youth Day, Hernandez was invited to give a witness talk at Our Sunday Visitor in Huntington. “Johnny gave his testimony, and everyone was silent,” Rouch said. “He was on fire, sharing how he initially didn’t want to go, wasn’t sure if he could, and afterwards, he was so alive in his faith. Ever since World Youth Day, he’s come alive.”

Father Coonan noticed the difference immediately, as Hernandez embraced the role of catechist for a group of middle schoolers and high schoolers preparing for confirmation at St. Henry.

“He strongly desires to lead others to the love of God,” Father Coonan said. “I know his enthusiasm and joy will continue to be transmitted to those around him, since he does this consistently. He will be able to radiate passion to the Lord, and I hope he continues to grow in his own Eucharistic devotion to the Lord.”

A prime example of this passion has been Hernandez’s involvement with Luchando por un Corazón Puro, a diocesan Hispanic youth ministry affiliated with the Bronx, New York-based group Corazón Puro. Hernandez said that attending the organization’s national retreats in New York “opened my eyes” on the topics of chastity, healing, and missionary formation.

“That’s one group that I’ve honestly seen a lot of fruits from,” Hernandez said. “A lot of people, when they hear the word ‘missionary,’ they think, ‘Oh, I’ve got to go somewhere,’ or ‘I’ve got to go to some third-world country to do something.’ What I’ve been taught there, especially now at Corazón Puro, is that it’s just the person right next to you, or the person next door, or the person that you don’t talk to at church.”

Hernandez said he also learned that mission does bring healing – not just for the person whom you’re helping, but also for yourself.

“I think that’s been one of the biggest reasons I wanted to help out and bring [the Corazón Puro Missionary Formation Conference] here to Fort Wayne,” said Hernandez, who served as co-coordinator of the event in early April that was held at St. Elizabeth Seton Parish. “It’s been fun starting a group, seeing the fruits and the blessings of becoming closer.”

‘A Witness of That Radical Love’

Now, all of these experiences have opened the door to a new opportunity: walking with Jesus across the country and witnessing to His presence.

The eight perpetual pilgrims have already spent time on retreat together, bonding through group prayer and Eucharistic adoration, as well as through recreational activities such as bowling and chess.

“It was just a time to get to know each other, breaking the ice for the first time, and getting to see how we clicked,” Hernandez said. “We meshed really well, and I really loved it. I’m a really quiet person, but they bring out the curiosity in me – make me want to speak, want to learn, want to talk.”

Their journey ahead will include daily Mass and Eucharistic adoration, as well as many local Eucharistic processions and fellowship meals together. Among the stops Hernandez is excited for is a visit to the tomb of Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen in Illinois. However, he is especially looking forward to witnessing to his Hispanic brothers and sisters in Christ.

“I have the chance to give some Spanish testimonies, which I’m really excited about,” said Hernandez. “I love my Hispanic community, and I just want to make it grow, bring peace to them – and understanding.”

Rouch said she is more than confident in Hernandez’s ability to do just that, referencing the “Jesus Runs” that he participated in at last summer’s Missionary Formation Conference, in which individuals would prepare and share food with the homeless.

“Johnny is not afraid to talk to strangers, and he’s also not afraid to be kind to everyone around him,” Rouch said. “He’s just ready to serve others, being formed in that Franciscan spirituality of giving the shirt off your back to others. I think that will be really beautiful to share with others on the road and be a witness of that radical love for Christ, totally dropping your own life to follow Jesus.”

Father Coonan, for one, knows that people Hernandez encounters will witness the same qualities that his 30 catechesis students do every Sunday.

“They can see his passion and unwavering commitment to the Lord,” Father Coonan said. “I have zero doubt that the Lord will continue to move in his life in beautiful ways.”

Of course, the challenges will be many. Hernandez handles administrative duties for his family’s construction company, and whatever work he is unable to complete ahead of his departure will be put on hold. Then there’s the physical toll of walking nearly one-seventh of the circumference of the earth – a task Hernandez prepared for with a recent hiking trip to the mountains of Tennessee. The biggest challenge for Hernandez, though, will be spending more than a month away from his family.

“Especially in the Hispanic community, relationships between sons and daughters and parents are really strong,” Hernandez explained. “And I think that was one of the things I feared the most – how would I survive six weeks? They’ve just been supporting me, especially my mom and dad.”

Hernandez said he’s been spending more time with his parents recently, and in addition to urging him to pray and go to adoration, they’ve also been reminding him, “God has called you to this, so go for it.”

‘Jesus Is Here’

As he makes final preparations for the cross-country trip of a lifetime, Hernandez expressed gratitude for the “blessing” of this pilgrimage
and for the prayers and support of the diocesan faithful. He also shared the fruits that he hopes will grow from this Eucharistic pilgrimage.

“The first thing is: Jesus is here,” Hernandez said. “That’s the Eucharist – He gave that for us; He gave His body and blood for us. It’s not a metaphor, it’s Him, the Real Presence is here. The second thing for me is just love. I think a lot of people hear all the time, ‘Jesus loves me.’ But I don’t think they understand how deeply He loves them. … There’s a hole in your heart the size of the Eucharist. That is Him, and He will fill it with love – love that you won’t be able to explain or be able to experience anywhere else.”

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HOW TO SUPPORT JOHNNY

Those who would like to support Hernandez financially as he travels with Our Lord across the nation can donate by scanning the QR code or visiting eucharisticpilgrimage.org/perpetual-pilgrims/johnathan-silvino-Hernandez and clicking the “Give Now” button. To submit a prayer intention for the perpetual pilgrims to carry on their journey, visit eucharisticpilgrimage.org/perpetual-pilgrims.