This article by Katie Peterson appeared in Nashville Catholic on July 17.
For the last two months, perpetual pilgrims across the country have been embarking on one of the four routes of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, accompanying Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament along the way. One of those pilgrims was Nashville native Zoe Dongas, a 2013 graduate of St. Henry School and a 2017 graduate of St. Cecilia Academy, who has been traveling the Seton Route across the eastern part of the country.
“When I first read the details about the pilgrimage, it felt as if the desires in my heart for adventure and for the opportunity to do something huge for Jesus came perfectly together,” Dongas said of first hearing about the pilgrimage in the summer of 2023 and the opportunity to be a perpetual pilgrim. “So far, the experience has been a rollercoaster.
“In His mercy, God has continued to strengthen my faith and draw me deeper. We’ve spent so much time in adoration, so we’ve been able to bring Him anything and everything, from the frustrations of blisters to the prayers of thanksgiving for graces given,” she said. “I’ve especially been impacted by the faith of the many parishes and communities we’ve visited. It’s been a gift to see how each group worships in unique ways, all with our eucharistic Lord at the center.
While a Nashville native, Dongas has spent the last several years in New York as she continues to build her love of the arts and her faith life, both of which began from her days as a parishioner of St. Henry Church.
“I grew up singing in the children’s choir at St. Henry Church. Under the direction of Mary Corby and Julie Schwarz, I experienced the joy of praising God through song,” Dongas explained. “As I became more involved in theater and performing, I began to see how the arts allowed me to tell stories that help us understand ourselves and our neighbors better.
“Regardless of if the art was explicitly Catholic, in my preparation and performance, I’ve always kept the dignity of the human person at the forefront,” she added. “Since moving to New York City, I’ve been blessed to perform in the first Catholic Playwright’s Festival at Theatre 71, to direct volunteer choirs at St. Patrick Cathedral, and to lead a praise and worship band at my parish.”
In all her artistic endeavors, “it’s been a taste of heaven. This pilgrimage has been a really lovely opportunity to give the gifts God has given me solely to Him for two whole months,” Dongas continued. “I’ve felt a bit like King David who danced before the Ark of the Covenant—I’ve had the great joy of singing and praising before the King of Kings in eucharistic procession. I’m excited to return to New York City with a renewed zeal for creating beautiful music and art for Our Lord at my parish and in the local Catholic community.”
That does not mean the pilgrimage was not without difficulties along the way.
“We’ve certainly had our share of difficulties along the way. We’ve had our blisters and our sore knees and our sleepy afternoons,” Dongas said. “In these difficulties my team has certainly kept me going with their example of faith and perseverance has inspired me to give all I can.
“In addition to the Seton Route team, Jesus’ presence has been essential to my ability to keep going through the journey,” she continued. “It’s been a gift to have continual opportunities to bring these difficulties to Jesus in eucharistic adoration and to lay them at His feet.”
It’s because of the highs and the lows that she said she will return to New York with renewed hope in the growth of her faith life.
“My hope is that the Eucharist continues to be front and center in my life, that regardless of what season of life comes next, our eucharistic Lord is ever before my eyes,” she said. “The Eucharist is our greatest gift: God with us. I love the Eucharist because I love Jesus. In His eucharistic presence, I have learned what it means to be truly seen, known, and loved.”
To those who still don’t believe in the Real Presence, Dongas said she has one message.
“Come and see,” she said. “Find a time to visit Him in eucharistic Adoration or at Mass with an open heart. The Lord wants to fill you with His love, so give him a chance.”