Before the Marian Route of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage launches from Lake Itasca on May 19, the dioceses of Crookston and Duluth will host the Star of the North Eucharistic Conference May 17-18 at the Sanford Center in Bemidji.

The conference, a joint effort of the dioceses and open to the public, will begin at 7 p.m. May 17 with adoration and a presentation by Bishop Robert Barron of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester.

According to the Crookston diocesan website, the second day of the conference will begin with Mass at 9 a.m., followed by presentations from Father Mike Schmitz of the Diocese of Duluth; Sister Jude Andrew Link of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist; a special Eucharistic Revival panel; and an interactive presentation by Tanner Kalina, creator of “Saints Alive,” which is a podcast about the saints for families. Throughout the conference, Aly Aleigha — a Catholic indie-folk singer, songwriter and recording artist from Duluth — will lead participants in praise and worship.

The conference builds momentum for the kickoff of the Marian Route of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage. The Marian Route is the northernmost of four routes that will converge July 17 in Indianapolis for the National Eucharistic Congress.

On May 19 at 10 a.m., Bishop Andrew Cozzens of the Diocese of Crookston will celebrate the Mass of the Solemnity of Pentecost in Itasca State Park’s Pioneer Village. Following Mass, Bishop Cozzens will lead a Eucharistic procession to the headwaters of the Mississippi River, where he will bless the water. From there, the roughly 1,000-mile pilgrimage to Indianapolis will begin.

Bishop Cozzens said he hopes that people of all ages attend the Mass on May 19 and the congress July 17-21.

“We’d love thousands to come (to the Mass),” Bishop Cozzens said in a promotional video. “It will be an incredible opportunity to celebrate our Eucharistic Lord and to begin this pilgrimage which is going to change our country as we celebrate our National Eucharistic Revival.

“As we deepen our relationship with God the Father and our identity as his beloved sons and daughters, the Lord will strengthen us for the mission we have ahead of us — which is to be the body of Christ in the world today,” Bishop Cozzens said. “Join us in Bemidji May 17-19. Your participation will help to make the Eucharistic Revival fruitful.”

Bishop Daniel Felton of the Diocese of Duluth also urged Catholics to attend.

“This Eucharistic Congress hosted by our two dioceses is a beautiful opportunity to come together with Catholics from far and wide to encounter Jesus more deeply in the Holy Eucharist,” Bishop Felton said. “May this deep encounter with Jesus light our hearts on fire with the Holy Spirit to bring his healing, hope and joy to all the people in our lives.”

To find the schedule of events, book lodging and register for the conference, visit crookstoneucharist.org.