EMMITSBURG, Md. (DATE, 2026) — The National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton will host the second annual Saints on Their Way gathering and festival Sept. 12-13, bringing together guilds representing American candidates for sainthood, leading experts on the canonization process, pilgrims and other visitors.
The unique gathering will celebrate holiness and sainthood as part of the American Catholic experience, while supporting those working to advance these extraordinary causes with practical advice and networking opportunities.
Building on the success of last year’s inaugural gathering during the 50th anniversary celebration of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton’s canonization, the Shrine is expanding the initiative in a way that reflects its unique role as the home of the first native-born American saint. Through the Saints on Their Way festival and the initiative’s growing educational resources, the Shrine is helping introduce to the faithful the lives of more than 100 Americans whose causes for canonization are underway. In addition, the Shrine seeks to create a place where those dedicated to these causes can learn from experts and one another and strengthen their work.
“Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton reminds us that holiness is not reserved for another time or another place and that it can flourish here in America and in every generation,” said Rob Judge, executive director of the Shrine. “By bringing together the people devoted to these causes, we hope to strengthen their work while helping more Catholics discover that these remarkable lives still have the power to inspire faith today.”
Saturday, Sept. 12: A National Gathering for American Causes
The Saturday gathering is open only to guild representatives and media. Among the highlights:
- Keynote address by Msgr. Robert Sarno on “Canonization: Theory & Practice.” Msgr. Sarno is a retired priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn and a former official of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, with nearly four decades of experience in overseeing the process of the canonization of saints.
- Workshop by canon lawyer Dr. Jeanine Marino: “The Theology & Spirituality of Holiness.”
- Workshop by Navy chaplain Fr. Dan Mode on the cause of Fr. Vincent Capodanno: “The Process before the Process.”
- Networking opportunities to build relationships, exchange ideas and encourage one another.
- Private Mass at Mother Seton’s tomb
- Tours of the Shrine’s Museum, Basilica and historic homes.
Sunday, Sept 13: Public Saints on Their Way Festival
The weekend continues Sunday with a free, family-focused celebration across the Shrine’s campus, where visitors can meet representatives from many of the participating causes, learn about their lives and spiritual legacies, and discover the diverse stories of holiness found throughout American history. The day will include:
- 11 a.m.: Mass in the Shrine’s Basilica celebrated by Bishop Roy Campbell of the Archdiocese of Washington
- Noon: Festival begins, featuring booths manned by individual guilds; live music and food trucks
- 12:30 p.m.: Keynote talk by Msgr. Sarno on “A Theology of Canonization.”
- Confessions and Adoration
- Tours of the Museum and historical buildings
Whether visitors are familiar with these causes or encountering them for the first time, the festival offers a rare opportunity to explore how God has worked through ordinary Americans in extraordinary ways.
A Growing Resource for American Sainthood
The weekend gathering is part of a broader initiative by the National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton to become a leading resource for American sainthood.
In addition to convening the annual Saints on Their Way gathering, the Shrine has created an online resource introducing visitors to the growing number of Americans whose causes for canonization have been opened. These resources highlight their lives, explain the stages of the canonization process and encourage Catholics to learn about the men and women whose witness continues to shape the Church in the United States.
As pilgrims continue to visit the Shrine of America’s first native-born saint, they are also invited to encounter the stories of those who may one day follow in Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton’s footsteps.
MEDIA NOTE: Catholic media are welcome to attend both days of Saints on Their Way. Saturday’s guild gathering offers interview opportunities with canonization experts and representatives of causes from across the United States. Advance credentialing is requested.
Santuario Nacional de Santa Isabel Ana Seton
The National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton in Emmitsburg, Md., is a place of God and of history, where visitors can walk in the footsteps of a saint. The Shrine offers pilgrims prayerful comfort from Mother Seton’s story and her intercessions as a friend in heaven. It is an active Basilica and has a wide range of historical buildings and programs that show what life was like when Mother Seton lived here more than 200 years ago. It was here that she founded the first community of religious women established in the U.S., created the first free Catholic school for girls staffed by sisters in the U.S. and fulfilled her mission of serving those in need. Today, her legacy includes several religious communities with thousands of Sisters, who serve others through schools, social service centers and hospitals throughout the world. She was canonized in 1975. Her remains are entombed at the National Shrine that bears her name. For more information, please visit https://setonshrine.org/.