Thousands of pilgrims gathered at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion for the Catholic Saints of America Exhibit, a first-of-its-kind celebration honoring the saints, blesseds, venerables, and servants of God who helped shape the Catholic story of our nation.
One of the most beautiful parts of this exhibit was seeing so many different causes, shrines, guilds, families, and pilgrims come together from across the country. Each display told a story. Each relic, photo, timeline, and testimony helped remind us that holiness is not something far away. Sainthood is possible here, in our own country, in our own families, and in our own time.
Families walked through the Hall of American Holiness learning about heroic priests, religious sisters, martyrs, missionaries, mothers, fathers, children, and everyday witnesses who gave their lives to Christ. Children took part in a scavenger hunt, discovering which servant of God owned a horse named Baloney, which venerable played the accordion, and which future saint won an Emmy.
As Pat Kasten beautifully captured for OSV News, families left inspired and renewed. One little boy from Detroit said seeing all the saints made him “want to be a priest more.” Another family discovered St. Mother Theodore Guerin and bought a Christmas ornament so they could one day tell their son Theodore about the saint who shares his name.
On July 5, the Shrine also celebrated the 130th anniversary of the death of Servant of God Adele Brice, who is buried here on the Shrine grounds. Following Sunday Mass, Bishop David L. Ricken led a prayerful procession to Adele’s flower-covered grave, where pilgrims paused to kneel, pray, and honor the life of the woman Our Lady called to “teach the children what they should know for salvation.”
This was not just an exhibit. It was a witness of faith. A gathering of holy stories. A reminder that America has been shaped by saints, and that God is still raising up saints today.
These photos capture more than moments; they capture families learning the faith, children discovering heroes of holiness, and pilgrims leaving with hearts renewed.
May this celebration inspire all of us to answer the same call: to live with courage, to teach the faith, and to become saints for our time.
Join us for the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the oldest tradition at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion. On August 15, we will celebrate this beautiful feast with 11:30 AM Mass celebrated by Bishop Donald J. Hying, 5th Bishop of Madison, followed by the historic Rosary Procession and a family picnic on the Shrine grounds. Learn More Here
