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Rockville Centre Bishop Reflects on Fulton Sheen's Legacy Ahead of Beatification
Confirmed
In Short: Bishop John Barres of Rockville Centre, New York, is reflecting on the significance of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen’s legacy in a new pastoral letter, urging Catholics to rediscover Sheen’s witness to the missionary nature of the Church.
Bishop John Barres of Rockville Centre, New York, is reflecting on the significance of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen’s legacy in a new pastoral letter, urging Catholics to rediscover Sheen’s witness to the missionary nature of the Church. The letter comes ahead of Sheen’s beatification on September 24 in St. Louis, Missouri.
Barres, who was baptized by Sheen as an infant in 1960 at St. Augustine Church in Larchmont, New York, emphasizes Sheen’s commitment to spreading the Gospel through every available medium. ‘Whether speaking from a radio studio, standing before a television camera, teaching in a university classroom, or preaching from a pulpit, Archbishop Sheen’s message remained the same: Jesus Christ,’ Barres says.
Barres notes that Sheen’s use of technology to spread the Gospel was a hallmark of his ministry. ‘Sheen would have embraced the emerging technologies of today, including artificial intelligence, but would insist these technologies not replace the human person,’ he adds.
The bishop also highlights Sheen’s theology of the priest as the victim on the cross, united to Jesus, a concept that was central to Sheen’s teachings. ‘This idea underscores the sacrificial nature of the priestly ministry and its connection to the Eucharist,’ Barres explains.
Groups from across the U.S. are planning pilgrimages to St. Louis for the beatification, where Sheen will become the first American-born bishop to be beatified. Archbishop Joseph Hicks of Oklahoma City, Archbishop John Coakley of Oklahoma City, and Bishop Steven J. Sheen of Orlando have expressed their joy and pride at Sheen’s impending beatification.
Pope Leo mentioned Sheen’s beatification in his greetings to English-speaking pilgrims at the end of the general audience on September 23, praying that many others might find new ways of spreading the Gospel message, inspired by Sheen’s example.
The beatification falls on the feast of Our Lady of Mercy, a fitting date for the archbishop known for his deep devotion to the Blessed Mother. While Sheen is buried in Peoria, Illinois, the Beatification Mass will be held in St. Louis.
The Diocese of Peoria encourages all to begin making plans now to participate in this historic occasion and to continue praying for the success of the Beatification celebrations. Tickets will be available through the Archbishop Fulton Sheen Foundation website, celebratesheen.com.
What this adds
Barres’ personal connection to Sheen dates back to his baptism in 1960, when his father, Oliver Barres, was working for Sheen as a writer for the Society for the Propagation of the Faith.
The beatification ceremony will take place at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis.
Background
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.
What's confirmed
- As the Church prepares for the beatification of Archbishop Fulton J.
What's still developing
- Looking to Sheen’s legacy, Barres says in his letter that every Catholic is called to mission and reflects on how Sheen embodied this call through his work, especially his use of technology.
- Beginning with his personal connection to Sheen, Barres shares that his baptism — which took place on Oct.
- 2, 1960 — came during the time his father, Oliver Barres, was working for Sheen as a writer for the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, a Catholic organization dedicated to supporting the Church’s missionary work around the world.
- Sheen served as the organization’s national director from 1950 to 1966.
- Sheen, told OSV News that the soon-to-be "blessed" is "our American St. Paul." (OSV News photo/Gregory A.
- Sheen, pictured in an undated photo as a young man, is remembered as one of the most influential and innovative evangelists in American history.
- Conference of Catholic Bishops, concelebrates Mass at the Basilica of Mary Queen of the Universe in Orlando, Fla., June 11, 2026.
- Also get to know Fulton Sheen at our dedicated page here.
- Because of the historic significance of this event and the anticipated attendance from across the nation and around the world, advance ticket registration will be required for the Beatification Mass and select events.
- “Archbishop Sheen spent his life leading people to Jesus Christ,” he said.
Sources
- Ewtnnewslink
- Florida Catholic Medialink
- aleteia.orglink
- Thecatholicpostlink
- Thegoodnewsroomlink
- OSV Newslink
- Detroitcatholiclink
- Catholicvotelink
- Norwichdioceselink
- Stlouisreviewlink
- Thecatholicspiritlink
- Northernpublicradiolink
- WarpBeat — background on Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen to Be Beatified This Month link
- FOX 2 St. Louis — video link