Tens of thousands of Catholics from across the United States and around the world are gathering in St. Louis, Missouri, for the beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, the renowned Catholic preacher whose pioneering use of radio and television brought the Gospel into millions of American homes.
The beatification Mass is scheduled for Thursday afternoon, Sept. 24, at The Dome at America’s Center. According to Vatican News, organizers expect nearly 45,000 pilgrims from 48 states and 12 countries, along with more than 80 bishops and hundreds of priests. LifeSiteNews, citing local reporting, placed anticipated attendance at approximately 50,000.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, will preside over the Mass as Pope Leo XIV’s representative.
Pope Leo marked the approaching beatification during his Wednesday General Audience in St. Peter’s Square, drawing particular attention to Sheen’s extraordinary work in Catholic media.
“Tomorrow in Saint Louis, Missouri, Venerable Fulton Sheen will be beatified,” Pope Leo said, according to Vatican News.
The Pope then pointed to Sheen’s example as especially relevant to Catholics engaged in evangelization today.
“May the example and intercession of this holy bishop, known for his evangelizing work through the media, inspire many others likewise to find new ways of spreading the Gospel message with joyful enthusiasm,” Pope Leo said.
The celebration surrounding the beatification extends beyond Thursday’s Mass. According to LifeSiteNews, Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski of St. Louis was scheduled to preside over Vespers at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis on Wednesday evening, with Bishop Robert Barron delivering the homily. Young adults were also invited to a Holy Hour at the Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France, with preaching and opportunities for Confession.
On Thursday, The Dome is scheduled to open at 8 a.m., several hours before the 2 p.m. beatification Mass. Pilgrims will have opportunities for Eucharistic Adoration and Confession, while the Sheen Expo will bring together Catholic ministries, publishers and artists, according to LifeSiteNews. Following the Mass, pilgrims are expected to have an opportunity to venerate a relic of the newly beatified Archbishop Sheen.
The beatification represents a long-awaited milestone in Sheen’s cause for sainthood.
Born in 1895, Sheen became one of the most recognizable Catholic voices of the 20th century. His television program, Life Is Worth Living, aired from 1952 to 1957 and attracted millions of viewers, according to Vatican News. His success crossed denominational boundaries and demonstrated the possibilities of emerging communications technology for Christian evangelization.
His work also earned recognition from the television industry. In 1953, Sheen received an Emmy Award for Most Outstanding Personality, according to Vatican News.
Pope Paul VI appointed Sheen Bishop of Rochester, New York, in 1966. He resigned from leadership of the diocese three years later but continued his public ministry until his death on December 9, 1979, at the age of 84.
Pope Benedict XVI declared Sheen Venerable in 2011, recognizing his heroic virtue, according to LifeSiteNews. His cause advanced further after Pope Francis recognized a miracle attributed to Sheen’s intercession in 2019.
The case involved James Fulton Engstrom, who was born without signs of life and remained without a heartbeat for 61 minutes while his family prayed for Sheen’s intercession, according to LifeSiteNews. His heart eventually began beating, and he survived without brain damage. Now 15, James is expected to take part in the beatification ceremony by processing with Sheen’s relics.
Sheen’s beatification had originally been planned for 2019 but was postponed. LifeSiteNews reported that the delay followed concerns raised by the Diocese of Rochester while the diocese faced numerous clergy sexual abuse allegations. The outlet noted that Sheen himself had not been accused of sexual abuse or covering up abuse.
Events honoring the new Blessed are also scheduled to continue after the St. Louis ceremony. According to LifeSiteNews, Masses of Thanksgiving will be celebrated Friday at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Peoria, Illinois. A two-day hometown celebration in Peoria will also feature Catholic organizations, musicians, artisans and other participants.
Nearly half a century after his death, Sheen’s unusual ability to bring Catholic teaching into the dominant media of his era remains a defining part of his legacy. His radio broadcasts, television appearances and more than 50 books introduced generations of Catholics and non-Catholics alike to Christian teaching.
As thousands gather to witness his beatification, Pope Leo’s remarks point to that legacy not simply as something to remember, but as an example for a new generation of Catholic evangelists: finding new ways to proclaim the Gospel with what the Pope called “joyful enthusiasm.”
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