There is something special about the town of Champion in the fall.

As the leaves begin to change color throughout northeast Wisconsin, we prepare for one of the most meaningful celebrations of the year at The National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion: the Solemnity of Our Lady of Champion, October 7–9, 2026.

This year feels especially significant. After historic milestones and record pilgrimages, they expect the largest Solemnity gathering yet at The Shrine.

A Remarkable Year in Champion

In January, I was blessed to witness Bishop David L. Ricken formally promulgate a decree to open the Cause for the canonization of Adele Brice, the Belgian immigrant who saw the Blessed Virgin Mary in Champion in 1859. Adele received the title Servant of God, starting her path to sainthood as the woman who devoted her life to carrying out Mary’s request to teach children what they should know for salvation.

In May, more than 10,000 pilgrims participated in the 22-mile Walk to Mary, making the 13th annual pilgrimage a record-setting event.

Then this summer, they created and hosted their first Catholic Saints of America exhibit in honor of the 250th anniversary of our nation. The July 1-9 celebration highlighted more than 76 American Saints, Blesseds, Venerables, and Servants of God and reminded all of us that holiness is not something distant. It is a calling for each of us.

October 7–9: Three Days of Prayer

The celebration begins October 7 with the Solemnity of Our Lady of the Rosary and an 11:30 a.m. Mass. This year also marks five years of The Shrine’s solidarity with the Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary, founded by the Dominican order. After 5 years The Shrine now has more than 20,000 members praying together for one another.

On October 8, we remember the Miracle of the Great Fire of 1871. During the deadliest wildfire in American history, fire roared through the region. Adele and those with her prayed the Rosary and sought Our Lady’s intercession throughout the night at The Shrine. On the morning of October 9, 12 years to the day of the apparitions, the fire stopped at the fence line and The Shrine grounds and all those gathered there were untouched thanks to Our Lady’s protection.

Pilgrims continue that tradition today, on October 8 beginning at 7 p.m., with a candlelit Rosary Procession, followed by all-night Eucharistic Adoration and a walking Rosary prayed every hour. 

Then, on October 9, Bishop David L. Ricken will celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lady of Champion, marking the anniversary of Mary’s second and third apparitions to Adele in 1859. Since receiving confirmation from the Holy See’s Dicastery for Divine Worship in 2023, The Shrine has been permitted by the Vatican to celebrate Our Lady of Champion annually with the church’s highest liturgical rank of a Solemnity. The Mass begins at 11:30 a.m., followed by The Shrine’s unique Eucharistic Rosary Procession. 

After such an extraordinary year, a record gathering is expected. But what matters most is not the number of pilgrims.

It is the people who come seeking Christ.

It is families praying together, pilgrims returning to the sacraments, and people placing their intentions in Mary’s hands. It is each of us reconnecting to the mission given to Adele and asking how we can share Our Lady’s message with those around us.

If you have never visited Champion, this October may be the perfect time. As the leaves change and the autumn air fills our lungs, the hearts of pilgrims are touched by the presence of Our Lady.

And whether you are able to come in person or not, I hope you will begin the journey with The Shrine in prayer.

Each year, The Shrine prays the National Novena to Our Lady of Champion with pilgrims in person and across the country. Join thousands in prayer from October 1–9 as we prepare to celebrate the Solemnity of Our Lady of Champion.

Join the Novena to Our Lady of Champion October 1–9 at championshrine.org/novenas.

Learn more about the Solemnity at championshrine.org/oloc-solemnity/.