“I love adoration, and one of my favorite parts of being a priest is leading people in Eucharistic adoration and to give benediction,” said Father Nate, pastor of Good Shepherd Parish in Ubly/Argyle/Frieburg/ Sheridan Corners.

That's why when he learned about the four Eucharistic Pilgrimage cross-country routes (Serra, Marian, Seton, and Juan Diego routes) converging in Indianapolis for the National Eucharistic Revival, he was intrigued. This event would combine his love of God, adoration, and hiking.

“The Lord instilled in me a love for hiking and nature through my parents,” said Father Nate. “They took us on many hiking and camping trips.”

He continued the outdoor tradition as a teen and young adult.

“I was a Boy Scout through high school and went on various hiking trips,” he said. “Before becoming a seminarian, I hiked from Chicago to Washington, D.C., in a coast-to-coast pilgrimage for the unborn with Crossroads Prolife, an organization at Franciscan University of Steubenville. I loved that! It was fantastic, walking and promoting a cause for life. I'm just as happy as a pig in mud when I'm out in the middle of the wilderness hiking or camping.”

It didn't take the Holy Spirit long to inspire him. He registered online to hike the nearest-to-Michigan portion of the Marian route on July 8. Ironically, his “day off” would grant him one of the most memorable five hours of his priesthood.

“I found out it would be a 10-mile trek from Waterloo to Auburn,” said Father Nate. “We walked 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. I thought that would be easy-peasy, since the pro-life walk I participated in covered 15 to 25 miles per day.”

His willingness to reverently hold and accompany Jesus brought about some unexpected, yet holy surprises.

One such surprise was a breakfast hosted by parishioners at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Waterloo for all the walkers. To help participants stay hydrated, a golf cart traveled along offering water or rides for those in need.

The most meaningful surprise came in the form of emotions sweeping the hearts of the walkers – especially Father Nate's own heart.

“I felt like a parent carrying their child, even though I was a priest carrying his Savior,” said Father Nate.

The profound and sacred task of elevating Jesus for all to see while walking lived up to its title of being a “revival.” A renewed desire for Jesus, prayer, holiness and faith was palpable on the walk.

“I was moved by the humility of God to allow himself to be carried like that – so fragile, so vulnerable. I could've easily dropped him by tripping … I was careful and looked down as I walked, so I wouldn't fall or drop our Lord. In a beautiful way, I was holding him, and he was holding me.”

Before the walk, Father Nate wasn't sure he'd get an opportunity to hold Jesus.

“I was very happy the organizers invited all five priests on the journey to take turns carrying Jesus. I got to carry our Lord for two different miles; I carried him at the beginning and near the end of the walk.”

Another pleasant surprise was recognizing two of the other pilgrim priests. One was Father Tom Wasilewski from Old St. Patrick Church in Ann Arbor, and the other was a Steubenville acquaintance who became a priest, too. A holy camaraderie seemed to be infused into the group of walking adorers.

The participating clergy wore a white alb, a stole and cincture during the procession of the Blessed Sacrament. An ombrellino, a dignified canopy, was carried over the monstrance in the procession to provide shade and protection.

“The sun was beating down, so this was nice to have this covering,” said Father Nate, adding that his 6 foot, 3 inch height was an added challenge.

“That caused me to have to duck and dodge many tree branches. The canopy bearers took turns, and I think it was challenging for them because I'm so tall,” he laughed.

After walking one mile, the next priest would lead the procession, and the former priest would head to the back and offer “walking confessions” for interested pilgrims. The priests also received the Sacrament of Penance from their brother priests as they walked along.

The history-making hike – and Jesus – would continue moving his heart unlike any other pilgrimage.

“I was blessed to carry Jesus right outside the city limits of Waterloo,” said Father Nate. “I was so moved the first time I held the Lord. I carried him and realized what I was doing. I was face-to-face with Jesus. People were kneeling down on the concrete in a gas station parking lot. Pedestrians were bowing, others were wondering what was going on, and people in their cars slowed down to see us. Some little children in the second floor of a house we passed by started yelling out the window to get our attention. I thought, 'Does this kid know Jesus is walking by his house?' Even if he doesn't, Jesus is blessing him, the area and the whole town. He was radiating his grace like the sun on the whole town. It was a beautiful, sunny day.”

The procession included Capuchin Friars of the Renewal, who sang for the first five miles.

“That was very moving as well,” he recalled. “The Lord blessed me in this way – to hear this music on this walk. I grew up with praise and worship songs at a charismatic parish, and I was familiar with them from Steubenville.”

Some parts of the procession were through the beautiful Indiana countryside, farmland and scenic landscapes. However, when people were in view or approaching, something special announced the arrival of Jesus Christ.

“Whenever there were people around, a seminarian would ring bells to let people know Jesus was coming,” Father Nate said. “He rang them almost every 10 seconds.”

Father Nate hopes to introduce future Eucharistic processions of the Blessed Sacrament to his own parish community. Prayerful reflection about his spur-of-the-moment decision to participate in the nationwide Catholic event that drew more than 100,000 pilgrims is still impacting him.

“I look forward to eternity to see how Jesus blessed the nation through these four pilgrimage routes and how people received great graces for their salvation without even realizing it,” said Father Nate. “I look forward to hearing the stories of people in glory, 'glory stories' of how this was an important part of their salvation.”

After arriving back in Michigan, his ‘Jesus energy’ level was as high as heaven,  so he and his 71-year old dad, John Harburg, traveled to spend two days at the Eucharistic Congress.

“My dad was thrilled, received graces and experienced something far better than he ever expected,” Father Nate said.

So did he.

The highlight for Father Nate was a powerful talk, “Fruitfulness Versus Effectiveness,” during a breakout session for priests, presented by Bishop Andrew Cozzens, the Minnesota bishop who spearheaded the Congress.

“I learned as a priest, I need to strive to be fruitful, not effective,” he said, explaining that Jesus’ ministry was not always effective— only a small fraction of the Jews converted while he was on earth, and then he was crucified. Yet, like the grain of wheat, Jesus’ death bore much fruit.

“It was moving to me to realize I've been making an idol of effectiveness – and that's not the Lord's will for me. Rather, I should try to strive for fruitfulness. To offer my failures, my disappointments and place them on the altar like the bishop said – to make them fruitful for Jesus and his Church.”