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Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen to Be Beatified in September
Confirmed
In Short: The Catholic Diocese of Lincoln announces the beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, a 20th-century television and radio personality, set for Sept. 24 in St. Louis.
Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, a prominent figure in 20th-century Catholic media, will be beatified on September 24, 2026, at the Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, according to the Catholic Diocese of Lincoln.
Sheen, born in El Paso, Illinois, in 1895, began his career as a radio speaker in the 1920s, eventually becoming a professor at The Catholic University of America for 23 years.
Pope Leo XIV announced Sheen’s upcoming beatification after resolving issues that had postponed the original 2019 ceremony.
Sheen’s journey to beatification includes a miracle attributed to him in 2010, which was confirmed by the Vatican.
Two months before Sheen’s death, Pope John Paul II embraced him in Rome, praising his work in spreading the Gospel.
The beatification Mass will begin at 2 p.m. local time, preceded by a procession where an image of Sheen with a halo will be revealed and his relic presented for veneration.
The Diocese of Peoria encourages pilgrimages to Peoria, Illinois, where Sheen was ordained and where his remains are entombed.
Tickets for the beatification Mass and select events are required, and most events will be livestreamed.
Archbishop Sheen’s legacy is celebrated for his clarity, courage, and love in preaching, teaching, and witnessing to the Gospel.
What this adds
The full schedule and list of events are available at celebratesheen.com/pilgrimage.
The beatification process was delayed due to a request for further investigation into Sheen’s ministry.
What's confirmed
- Sheen was born in El Paso, Ill., in 1895, and was ordained a priest for the diocese of Peoria, Ill., in 1919.
What's still developing
- Sheen began his famous career as a radio and TV speaker when The Catholic Hour radio show asked him to speak as a substitute for two weeks.
- While managing a full-time professorship, Sheen found time to appear on the radio, travel the country giving lectures, and write.
- In 1951, Sheen started a TV program called Life is Worth Living, which would become the most popular religious TV program in history.
- Two months before Sheen died, John Paul II embraced him in Rome and told him: “You have written and spoken well of the Lord Jesus. You are a loyal son of the Church!” 7.
- Sheen, giant of 20th century television and archbishop of Rochester, N.Y., will be beatified Sept.
- Even though his show appeared at the same time on Tuesday as Milton Berle’s Texaco Star Theatre, Sheen’s show reached an audience of approximately 30 million viewers a week.
- As Zeale News previously reported, the beatification was originally scheduled to take place in 2019 but. was postponed weeks before the ceremony following a request for further investigation into his ministry.
- The diocese announced earlier this year that the beatification would move forward, prompting a joyous moment for many who have been waiting years for the news.
- Tickets are required to attend that event also.
- On Sept. 20, there will be an anniversary Mass of Venerable Sheen’s ordination at the cathedral at 3pm, with tickets required.
- The foundation is encouraging the faithful who are attending events in Peoria to make the journey a pilgrimage, not just a trip.
- “The Beatification of Archbishop Sheen is a recognition of a life lived in heroic virtue — a life that brought countless souls closer to Jesus Christ through preaching, teaching, and witness.” “For many, he was a familiar voice on television and radio; for all of us, he remains a powerful example of what it means to live the Gospel with clarity, courage, and love,” the bishop added.