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Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen to Be Beatified This Month
Confirmed
In Short: Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, a prominent figure in 20th-century Catholic media, is set to be beatified on September 24, 2026, in St. Louis, Missouri. The ceremony will take place at The Dome at America’s Center.
Bishop Barres of the Diocese of Rockville Centre recently published a Pastoral Letter on the beatification, highlighting Sheen’s contributions to the Church. Bishop Barres describes Sheen as a light of faith, hope, and love that shone through radio and television media for decades.
Sheen’s beatification has been long-awaited, with the process delayed for six years before the Vatican cleared it to proceed earlier this year. The Diocese of Peoria, where Sheen was born and ordained, has been overseeing his cause.
Born in Illinois in 1895, Sheen became a renowned missionary and communicator. He began his career as a radio speaker when The Catholic Hour asked him to substitute for two weeks. This led to a full-time professorship at The Catholic University of America, where he taught for 23 years.
In 1951, Sheen started the TV program 'Life is Worth Living,' which became the most popular religious TV program in history. Despite competing with Milton Berle’s Texaco Star Theatre, Sheen’s show reached an audience of approximately 30 million viewers a week.
Sheen’s influence extended beyond media. He was deeply committed to the Church’s missionary work and was known for his extensive travels and lectures. Two months before his death, Pope John Paul II embraced Sheen in Rome, praising his work.
James Fulton Engstrom experienced the miracle required for Sheen’s beatification in 2010, paving the way for the upcoming ceremony.
The beatification will include a Holy Hour series, Masses, and a pre-beatification morning of prayer and reflection. An image of Archbishop Sheen with a halo will be revealed, and his relic will be presented for veneration and incensed.
In Peoria, Illinois, where Sheen was ordained and where his remains are entombed, a watch party will be hosted at Mary’s Church in El Paso, the parish hall where Sheen was baptized.
The Sheen Foundation and Peoria Bishop Lou Tylka have announced the list of speakers for the event, which will be held at the Peoria Civic Center on September 25, 2026.
Dave Tomaszycki, a parish member at St. Peter Parish in Mount Clemens, has been an admirer of Sheen since his time at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. Tomaszycki published a book, 'On the Demonic,' compiled from Sheen’s writings.
Tomaszycki reflects on the personal significance of Sheen’s beatification, noting that while he never met Sheen, his extensive study of Sheen’s works has made him feel intimately connected to the archbishop.
What's confirmed
- The Diocese of Peoria, where Sheen was born, ordained and first served as a priest, has been overseeing his cause.
What's still developing
- It is exciting to know that that a bishop who preached and visited our Diocese of Paterson more than several times will soon be beatified.
- One of the experiences Father Mike describes is listening (on cassette tapes) to a retreat given to priests (in Ireland) by Archbishop Sheen.
- Sheen I will share a few thoughts, personal reflections and recommendations, but my strongest recommendation is that you read Bishop Barres’ beautifully written and inspiring Pastoral Letter.
- Louis will be a national celebration for the country, witnessing the fifth American-born man to be beatified.
- Peter when he got the news that one of his spiritual heroes was set to be beatified.
- Sheen, permitting public devotion to him according to the norms established by the Church.
- Sheen, giant of 20th century television and archbishop of Rochester, N.Y., will be beatified Sept.
- Beth Miller, a parish member and president of the Woodford County Historical and Genealogical Society, said people often forget Sheen's ties to El Paso.
- Miller said Sheen visited the church several times throughout his life to connect with the community, and that his history often is tied to Peoria instead of El Paso, where he spent his earliest years.
- Peoria-area native Archbishop Fulton Sheen will be beatified Sept.
- Find the full schedule with its list of those providing reflections at celebratesheen.com/pilgrimage.
- Archbishop Sheen adopted a daily Holy Hour as part of his own spiritual practice while in formation for the priesthood at St.