Dear Knights, Dames, Chaplains, Affiliates, Year of Formation Candidates, and Families,

The American, Federal, and Western Associations are pleased to invite you to register for the 2026 Pilgrimage to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion in Champion, Wisconsin, taking place August 6–8, 2026.

This year marks the 13th annual year of the pilgrimage to Our Lady of Champion, as members from across the Order gather in prayer, fellowship, and service beneath the loving mantle of the Blessed Mother. All members of the Order and their families are warmly encouraged to join us.

The National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion is the sacred site of the only Marian apparition in the United States formally approved by the Catholic Church. In 2010, the Most Rev. David Ricken, ChC, Bishop of the Diocese of Green Bay and Conventual Chaplain of the American Association, declared the 1859 apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary to Adele Brise “worthy of belief,” firmly affirming its significance in American Catholic history. In 2016, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops designated the site as a National Shrine, recognizing it as a place of prayer, healing, and pilgrimage for the faithful.

On January 30, 2026, Bishop Ricken officially initiated Adele Brise’s cause for sainthood, marking a historic milestone in honoring the visionary of the 1859 apparitions. An excellent article published by EWTN explores this development in greater detail; please click here to read.

For those who have never traveled to Lourdes, this pilgrimage offers a unique opportunity to experience the beauty and grace of a Marian Shrine closer to home, an encounter with the love of the Blessed Mother and her Son, Jesus Christ. The Shrine of Our Lady of Champion offers a deeply personal expression of Marian devotion. The Shrine’s peaceful and sacred setting provides every pilgrim the opportunity for spiritual renewal, healing, and reflection.

REGISTER HERE:
Overview | Order of Malta American Association