By Jay Sorgi • Posted September 1, 2026

Joe Melendrez thinks of AbbeyFest and envisions thousands of young people encountering the sacrifice of the Mass, adoration of the Eucharist, and energy-filled joy in contemporary Christian music that illuminates the presence of God.

The prospect of performing at the 12^th annual Catholic music festival on Saturday, Sept. 19 gives him the chills. Not only will Melendrez perform his Spirit-filled hip hop show for the audience, he will also serve as emcee for the festival on the grounds of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown.

“I’m just so excited about what God’s going to do when He gathers us together as the body of Christ,” the California-based artist said. “Last year, we heard testimonies from people that have been coming to AbbeyFest for years, some kids after adoration, what that experience was like for them, what God was communicating to them.”

This year’s edition is highlighted by Mass with Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez with music and a prelude by artist Sarah Kroger, and the evening’s final performance by former “American Idol” artist Danny Gokey, which follows eucharistic adoration.

Gokey’s list of most popular songs includes “Tell Your Heart to Beat Again” and “Hope In Front of Me.”

Doors open at noon with Melendrez and co-emcee Hannah Schaefer performing as the first artists at 12:30 p.m. Seph Schlueter co-headlines the day, along with artists Lost and Found, Brother Isaiah, the Jesus Youth Philly Band and Gio Morales, the Mark Christmyer Emerging Artist for 2026.

This will be Gokey’s first appearance at AbbeyFest, one that often turns into a long-term relationship. Many artists return to share their talents in bringing young people to God, even for Christian artists like Gokey who aren’t Catholic. Many predecessors like Big Daddy Weave and Crowder who aren’t Catholic encounter the welcome AbbeyFest offers.

“Any artist that comes in for the first time, they just have a beautiful experience and probably want to return or become part of the AbbeyFest family,” Melendrez said. “We’re the Body of Christ, and you might not be part of the Catholic Church, but you’re part of our family here.”

2026 represents AbbeyFest’s second year at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa after 10 years at Daylesford Abbey in Paoli. The expanded footprint of the grounds compared to years past opened room for nearly 5,000 fans who attended last year, with space for thousands more to increase both attendance and impact on young people in the future.

Martha Wilbur, one of the heads of the production team with AbbeyFest Ministries, says that those thousands encounter a Holy Spirit-led experience that’s hard to put into words.

“We always hear from people after attending AbbeyFest, (and) everybody says, ‘It just feels like we’re all just celebrating together our faith and worshiping,’” Wilbur said.

“The feeling is sometimes not easy to explain, but you hear people just so excited about being together, celebrating our Catholic faith and coming closer to Christ that day.”

She believes part of what makes the festival so meaningful for attendees is the combination of the festival and the grounds, which provide many places for holy moments — from the shrine church itself to the Stations of the Cross.

“We are very grateful to the Pauline Fathers for opening the door for us,” Wilbur said, referring to the order of priests who staff the shrine. “They trusted us. They let us work and do what we know how to do.”

Melendrez compares the setting to some he has experienced at music festivals in Europe, the kind that are away from urban areas. The shrine in Doylestown stands an hour from Center City Philadelphia and two hours from downtown Manhattan.

“People come almost like a pilgrimage or retreat,” he said. “Some people might have to drive a little bit to get there, but it makes it that much more special. I thought the venue was beautiful.

“This is a destination spot for a faith festival, which I think makes it really special.”

Fellow organizer Nicky Verna, the director of the New Evangelization at St. Andrew the Apostle Parish in Drexel Hill, added how the Pauline Fathers have embraced this annual late-summer music festival of faith. She remembered one moment before last year’s festival began where the priests walked the festival grounds, prayed the rosary, and blessed the space for festival leaders.

“It was just a beautiful witness to their dedication, not only to Jesus Christ, but to their trusting the Lord in this adventure that we brought,” she said. “I saw them dancing in the back, praising the Lord and just really enjoying what was happening on their grounds.”

Verna said the Pauline Fathers’ first encounter with AbbeyFest has led them to ask organizers to book their grounds for upcoming years, setting the table for countless thousands to encounter Christ in new ways through song at a holy site.

“We know God’s going to move, and we don’t know exactly what he’s going to do,” Melendrez said, “but we come with expectant hearts ready to receive and open for the Holy Spirit to move.”

See the full schedule and ticket information.