FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Septemeber 24, 2026
CHAMPION, WISCONSIN (September 23, 2026) – October is an exciting month at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion, the first and only Marian Apparition Site in the United States. A Relic Tour from Ireland is slated for Oct. 4-7, and a record number of pilgrims are expected for events during the Annual Solemnity of Our Lady of Champion Oct. 7-9. The Shrine will celebrate the re-opening and blessing of the renovated History Center on Oct. 8.
The National Novena to Our Lady of Champion begins Oct. 1 and ends on Oct. 9, the established anniversary day of the Blessed Virgin Mary’s second and third apparitions to Servant of God Adele Brice. Sign up to receive the daily prayers at championshrine/novenas.
From Oct. 4-7 between 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., The Traveling Saints, an Ireland-based apostolate and custodian of more than 200 relics, will display 18 sacred relics at the Shrine for pilgrims to learn about the saints, venerate their relics, and seek their intercession. The relics include those of Pope Innocent II, St. Charbel Makhlouf, St. Dominic de Guzman, OP, Saint Philip Neri, St. Thérèse of Lisieux, and even a relic from Jesus’ Manger.
The Solemnity activities Oct 7-9 honor Our Blessed Mother and remember Her 1859 apparitions to Adele Brice through opportunities for prayer, reflection, and peace.
Each day will include Mass, Confession and a Rosary Procession. The current schedule includes:
Oct. 7: Our Lady of The Rosary
- 11:30 a.m. Mass, at which The Shrine will celebrate the 5th anniversary of the Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary, which recently surpassed 20,000 members united in prayer and devotion to Our Lady.
- After Mass, Fr. Richard Heilman concludes the 54-Day Rosary Novena for Our Nation, which started on August 15 at the Assumption Mass at The Shrine.
Oct. 8: Belgian Heritage Day and The Miracle of The Fire
- Starting at 9 a.m., The Shrine collaborates with the Belgian Heritage Center in Door County to host a day celebrating Belgian culture and heritage. The event features a traditional Belgian meal of booyah and pie for a modest fee, along with free educational talks and exhibits.
- 6 p.m.: Blessing and re-opening of the renovated History Center.
- 7 p.m.: Reading of the Miracle of the Fire account about The Peshtigo Fire, considered the deadliest fire in U.S. history, killed over 1,200 people.
- Candlelight Rosary Procession afterward, with thousands of candles lighting the way.
- Request to Light a Candle in advance for a special prayer intention to lift prayers to Our Lady.
- All-night Eucharistic Adoration.
Oct. 9: Solemnity of Our Lady of Champion
- 10:45 a.m.: Fr. Rocky’s Rosary Across America.
- 11:30 a.m.: Mass with Green Bay Bishop David Ricken, followed by Eucharistic Rosary Procession.
- 2:30 p.m.: Premiere of the EWTN They Might be Saints episode about Servant of God Adele Brice. It will air on EWTN later that night.
More information and the full schedule for the Solemnity is at championshrine.org/oloc-solemnity. The Masses will be livestreamed on The Shrine’s YouTube channel.
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About the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion
Located in Champion, Wisconsin, The National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion is the first and only Marian Apparition Site in the United States approved by the authority of the Catholic Church. The Shrine covers the peace-filled holy ground where Mary, the mother of Jesus, appeared to a Belgian immigrant woman named Adele Brise on October 9, 1859, identifying herself as “The Queen of Heaven who prays for the conversion of sinners.” Recognized under the title of “Our Lady of Good Help” before 2023, The National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion continues the mission of Servant of God Adele Brise – to foster conversion, teach the children, and minister to the sick and old.
For more information on The Shrine, its history, and events, visit www.championshrine.org or follow along on Facebook and Instagram. To sign up for its newsletter, click here.