A new national gathering focused on promoting causes for sainthood in the United States will debut this fall at the National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton.
The inaugural “Saints on Their Way Festival” will take place September 12–13, bringing together those involved in advancing canonization causes across the country. The event is envisioned as an annual opportunity rooted in the Church’s universal call to holiness, fostering prayer, collaboration, and public witness.
The weekend will begin with a private gathering on Saturday, September 12, for guild members, postulators, bishops, and others engaged in this work. Participants will spend the day in prayer and fellowship, hear presentations from Dr. Jeanine Marino and Father Daniel Mode, and conclude with a Vigil Mass.
On Sunday, September 13, the festival will open to the public with an 11:00 a.m. Mass, followed by an afternoon celebration on the shrine grounds. The event will feature informational tables representing various canonization causes, along with live music, food trucks, opportunities for Confession and Eucharistic Adoration, and tours of Mother Seton’s historic homes.
The National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton and educational center in Emmitsburg, MD pays tribute to the life and mission of Elizabeth Ann Seton, the first native-born citizen of the United States to be canonized by the Roman Catholic Church. It is both a Minor Basilica and a National Shrine.
Organizers hope the festival will not only support those working on canonization causes, but also inspire the faithful by sharing the stories of holy men and women from across the United States who are being considered for sainthood.
By creating space for encounter, prayer, and storytelling, the Saints on Their Way Festival aims to deepen awareness of the Church’s rich witness of holiness and invite Catholics to take part in supporting these causes.