National Shrine celebrates America’s 250th with historic Catholic Saints Exhibit

NEW FRANKEN – The National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion, the first and only approved Marian apparition site in the United States, is marking America’s 250th anniversary with a unique spiritual and historical event. From Wednesday, July 1 through Thursday, July 9, the Shrine will host the Catholic Saints of America Exhibit and Novena, a one-of-a-kind gathering that honors the holy men and women who have shaped the nation’s history.

A central highlight of the event is the daily speaker series, held from 1-4 p.m., featuring representatives from over 35 different causes for sainthood. Notable topics include the legacy of Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini, the first U.S. citizen to be canonized, and Venerable Augustus Tolton, the first publicly recognized Black priest in the U.S. Deacon Ken Gay, the first Black deacon in the Diocese of Rockford, will lead a discussion on Tolton’s impact.

The event also coincides with a significant local milestone. On July 5 at 11:30 a.m., Green Bay Bishop David Ricken will celebrate a special Mass marking the anniversary of the death of Servant of God Adele Brise. Brise, a Belgian immigrant and the visionary who reported the apparitions at Champion in 1859, recently had her cause for sainthood officially opened by the Diocese. Following the Mass, the Knights of Columbus will serve an “All-American” picnic lunch to attendees.

Visitors and pilgrims from across the country, including large groups from Colorado and Louisiana, are expected to attend the festivities. Beyond the historical displays, the novena will focus on healings attributed to Our Lady of Champion and Adele Brise, whose chapel and school were miraculously spared during the Great Peshtigo Fire of 1871.

The National Shrine is located at 4047 Chapel Dr, New Franken. Admission to the exhibit and participation in the novena are free to the public. For more information, including a full schedule of speakers and events, visit www.championshrine.org/AmericanSaints.