JOIN US FOR
THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CANONIZATION
OF SAINT ELIZABETH ANN SETON
WEEKEND CELEBRATION
In 1975 it was a monumental event. In 2025 it still is! You are invited to be part of this Weekend Celebration full of faith, music, history and community.
Hover over image for details
FULL WEEKEND SCHEDULE
Festival Stage Master of Ceremonies
Matt Swaim is co-host of the Son Rise Morning Show on EWTN Radio, Director of Outreach for The Coming Home Network, and producer of The Journey Home on EWTN television. He has written or contributed to several published works, including the Catholic Puzzles, Word Games and Brainteasers series for Ave Maria Press. He and his family reside in the Archdiocese of Washington.
Garden Stage Master of Ceremonies
Lisa Lickona is a nationally recognized writer and speaker. Her work was featured daily in the pages of Magnificat for eight years. She currently teaches systematic and spiritual theology at Saint Bernard’s School of Theology in Rochester, New York, where she leads monthly retreats on the lives of the saints. She and her large family have lived in upstate New York for twenty years.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12th
🕯️ Enjoy an open-air instrumental concert on Friday, September 12th at 7:45pm featuring 1970s classics performed by the Escencia Quartet with guitarist Sean Brennan, joined by musicians from the Peabody Institute and The Juilliard School.
🧺 Guests are encouraged to bring their own chairs and picnic blankets.
🛻 Dining trucks will be on-site, along with a cash bar offering beer, wine, and light refreshments.
🎟️ Tickets are $25 per person
Saturday, September 13th
🙏 Mass is available at 11:30 a.m with the Vincentian family and celebrated by Fr. Tomaž Mavrič, C.M.
🎙️ Tune in to a special livestream presentation on why St. Elizabeth Ann Seton’s canonization was important 50 years ago and still is today by Kathleen Cummings, author of A Saint of Our Own: How the Quest for a Holy Hero Helped Catholics Become American, professor at Notre Dame University and commentator for news outlets including NBC and CNN.
🏠 On-site visitors can also enjoy special presentations throughout the museum and historic homes. This day is perfect for quiet inspiration and a deeper connection to Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton’s story.
Sunday, September 14th
⛪ 11:00 AM | 50th Anniversary Mass with Archbishop William E. Lori (To Be Aired on EWTN at 7:00 PM EST)
🎉 12:30 PM–5:00 PM | Celebration Across the Campus
🎵 The Festival Stage
🎤 The Garden Stage
On The Grounds
📜 Presentations in the Historic Homes
🛻 The area’s finest food trucks offering lunch and snacks for purchase, including:
🪶 Hands-on learning and games for children and families
🎤 Featured speakers in the 50th Anniversary ONE OF US special exhibit (Watch our new video here!)
😇 Saints On Their Way: Meet with those working for the canonization of 20+ “Saints on their way” — American Servants of God, Venables, and Blesseds. Hear their stories through exhibits and artifacts, —and learn how you can help get them closer to being named Saints! Saints that will be represented are: Joseph Dutton, Mother Mary Lange, Father Stanley Rother, Miriam Teresa Demjanovich, Charlene Richard, Father Vincent Capodanno, Dorothy Day, Fr. Walter Ciszek, Fr. Solanus Casey , Fr. Francis Xavier Seelos, Brother James Miller, Fr. Aloysius Schwartz, Sr. Henriette Delille, Fr. Demetrius Gallitzin, Sr. Blandina, Fr. Alphonse Gallegos, Father Michael McGivney, Fr. Brute Nicolas Black Elk, Cora Evans, and more!
🤲 Confessions available from 12:30 to 1:15 PM. An additional Mass at 1:30 PM.
In The Museum
✨ Miracles, Reflections from Canonization Day and more!
WAYS TO PARTICIPATE FROM AFAR
Can't make the big celebration in September? That's okay! There are ways you can still participate wherever you are!
Watch the anniversary Mass celebrated by Archbishop William E. Lori on EWTN at 7pm EST or live here!
Tune in to Facebook for a special livestream presentation on why Mother Seton’s canonization was important 50 years ago and still is today by Kathleen Cummings, author of A Saint of Our Own: How the Quest for a Holy Hero Helped Catholics Become American.
We get it—conflicts happen! Even if you can’t make it to the big celebration this September, you can always plan your own pilgrimage to the Seton Shrine any time of the year! Learn more here.
Plan Your Visit
Location: Seton Shrine | 339 S. Seton Avenue Emmitsburg, MD 21727
Parking: Free on-site parking available
Handicap accessible
Check out hotels and accommodations
Additional Info: Bring your own lawn chairs for outdoor events
Celebrate her legacy—Be a part of the future.
Fifty years ago, Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton became the first American-born saint. This milestone offers a moment to come together in faith, in joy, and in community at the place where her story began.
Are you clergy?
We would love for you to participate in the Celebration Mass on Sunday, September 14th at 11a.m! Per the Archdiocese of Baltimore, all priests and deacons who wish to celebrate the Sacraments here will each need to submit a Letter of Suitability to the Archdiocese of Baltimore prior to their visit. Please email Kelly.Gordon@setonshrine.org to obtain the template which can be filled out and sent to the archdiocese.
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50th Anniversary activities are made possible by the generosity of Ascension, our title sponsor and other major donors.
