🎉 Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen — Prophet, Preacher, and Soon-to-Be “Blessed”
And after that Mass, we can properly call him: Blessed Fulton J. Sheen
The Vatican specifically confirms that beatification gives him the title “Blessed.”
For him eventually to become Saint Fulton J. Sheen, ordinarily another miracle attributed to his intercession after beatification would need to be investigated and approved for canonization.
If Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen is beatified, his title changes from Venerable Fulton J. Sheen to Blessed Fulton J. Sheen.
Canonization would be the next major step. If and when he is canonized, then he becomes Saint Fulton J. Sheen.
So the progression is:
Servant of God → Venerable → Blessed → Saint
And yes — beatification would be a huge milestone, because it means the Church has formally declared him Blessed and permits public veneration under the conditions established by the Church.
Who Was He?
Born in 1895 in El Paso, Illinois, Sheen was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Peoria. He went on to become one of the most electrifying Catholic voices in American history. By the time of his death, he had written more than 70 books, won an Emmy Award, and brought the Catholic faith into millions of American homes through decades of radio and television broadcasting.
He offered spiritual direction and moral reflection first on NBC’s nighttime radio program “The Catholic Hour,” and later through widely-watched television series such as “Life Is Worth Living” and “The Fulton Sheen Program.”
It was before the Blessed Sacrament that Sheen died on December 9, 1979 — a fitting end for a man who made Eucharistic Adoration the cornerstone of his priestly life.
The Road to Beatification
Sheen’s cause for canonization was officially opened in 2002. After his heroic virtue was recognized, Fulton Sheen was declared Venerable in 2012 by Pope Benedict XVI.
The miracle that cleared the path: Bonnie Engstrom believes Sheen helped save her son’s life after he was born in 2010 without a pulse. The Catholic Church agreed, declaring the boy’s resuscitation a miracle after Engstrom and others sought the heavenly prayers of the late Archbishop.
In 2019, Pope Francis authorized a decree recognizing this miracle through his intercession — clearing Archbishop Sheen for beatification, after which he will hold the title “Blessed.”
The Beatification — Mark Your Calendar! 📅
The Mass for the Beatification of the Venerable Servant of God, Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, will take place on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at 2 PM Central time at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, will preside at the beatification Mass, representing Pope Leo XIV.
The day’s events will begin early, with doors opening at 8 a.m. CDT. Pilgrims will have access to the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Eucharistic Adoration, and an interactive expo featuring Catholic ministries, organizations, authors, and artists from across the nation.
An inspiring pre-Mass program will begin at 10 a.m., featuring prayer, music, and reflections from nationally recognized Catholic voices, including Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Msgr. Roger Landry, Katie Prejean McGrady, Sr. Josephine Garrett, CSFN, and Matt Maher.
From September 15–26, a series of events will highlight Archbishop Sheen’s life and legacy, offering pilgrims additional opportunities for spiritual enrichment and community. This includes visits to Archbishop Sheen’s tomb at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria and pilgrimage opportunities throughout Peoria connected to his life and ministry.
🌐 Official Website. For tickets, schedules, hotel reservations, and spiritual preparation resources, visit: 👉 celebratesheen.com
Details about attending the celebration, ordering tickets, and preparing spiritually for the Beatification can all be found at celebratesheen.com.
Why This Matters
Church leaders describe the Beatification as a once-in-a-lifetime moment for the Church in the United States — an opportunity to deepen faith, encounter Christ more fully, and celebrate the enduring witness of one of America’s most influential evangelists.
Archbishop Sheen understood something the world desperately needs to hear today: that the human soul is restless until it rests in God. His preaching didn’t just inform — it converted. He famously led celebrities, politicians, and ordinary people into the Catholic faith through the sheer force of truth proclaimed with love.