Amidst a weekend full of music, movement, and celebration, there is this moment – a moment of deep peace and meaning.

On the occasion of the 17th North American Lithuanian Folk Dance Festival, a solemn Holy Mass will be celebrated in Chicago's most important Catholic sanctuary - the magnificent Holy Name Cathedral. This is not just one of the program items. It is the spiritual center of a historic gathering – a moment when the entire Lithuanian community from America and around the world pauses for prayer, thanksgiving, and unity in faith.

This is a rare and special honor.

Being together in one of America's most famous Catholic cathedrals, as Lithuanians, as a community, as people who have carried their faith across oceans and generations, is not an event that happens every day. And when it does, it leaves a mark.

The Holy Mass will be celebrated by His Holiness the Archbishop Lionginas Virbalas SJ, a delegate of the Lithuanian Bishops' Conference to Lithuanian Catholic pastors abroad, and a sermon will be delivered by a Jesuit priest Lukas Laniauskas SJ. These are voices of spiritual authority and Lithuanian identity – a reminder that faith and culture have never been separated in our community.

Festive music will be performed by the children's choir of the Blessed Jurgis Matulaitis Lithuanian Catholic Mission. „"Vyturys"“, led by the maestro Darius Polikaitis. The sound of these young Lithuanian voices rising from the high vaults of Holy Name Cathedral will be one of the most moving moments of the entire weekend. It is the sound of tradition being passed down – the most beautiful proof that the new generation is here and it is singing.

Among the participants will be the patron of the celebration, the former President of the Republic of Lithuania. Dalia Grybauskaite, and other distinguished guests from Lithuania and the United States. Their participation makes this Mass even more important – a place where spiritual community and national identity meet at the highest level.

This Mass will be broadcast nationwide, meaning that Lithuanian faith, unity, and cultural pride will be visible not only in the cathedral, but across America. This is a moment to be visible, to stand together openly and proudly, and to show the world how strong the Lithuanian community is.

The cathedral opens 600 seats for everyone - no tickets required. Seats are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, so we encourage you to arrive early. Come as you are. Come ready to be a part of an event that will be remembered long after this weekend.

All Catholic priests participating in the festival are invited to concelebrate. Please register by e-mail matulaitismission@gmail.com and submit a letter of eligibility to the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Faith. Community. Identity. All of this together, under one roof.

We are waiting for you.