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Bishop Barron Praises Sheen as 'Saint of the New Evangelization
Confirmed
In Short: Bishop Robert Barron of Winona-Rochester praised Archbishop Fulton Sheen as a 'saint of the New Evangelization' at Sheen's beatification in St. Louis.
At the beatification ceremony in St. Louis, Bishop Robert Barron of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, highlighted Archbishop Fulton Sheen's profound friendship with Jesus Christ.
Barron noted Sheen's autobiography, 'Treasure in Clay,' as a testament to his spiritual journey and his deep relationship with Christ.
Barron emphasized Sheen's commitment to evangelization, saying, 'No one in the 20th century walked the great path of mission with more flair and dedication than Fulton Sheen.
The bishop also called Sheen 'par excellence, the saint of the New Evangelization,' reflecting on the Church's renewed commitment to spreading the Gospel.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle presided over the Mass, declaring Sheen formally counted among the Church’s 'beati,' or blessed.
The ceremony included the presentation of a major relic of Archbishop Sheen, his mandible, symbolizing his oratorical gifts.
Barron's homily focused on Sheen's life as a model for anyone seeking to bring the Gospel to modern culture.
The beatification Mass was attended by close to 90 bishops, some 1,000 priests, an estimated 1,600 religious, and almost 250 deacons.
Cardinal Tagle noted Sheen's passionate advocacy for the poor during the Second Vatican Council and his dedication to sharing the Gospel.
Barron's reflection on Sheen's life and witness emphasized the importance of unmerited divine love and the role of Mary in Sheen's spiritual journey.
The event also featured a press conference where Bishop Louis Tylka of Peoria highlighted the representation of pilgrims from almost every U.S. state and several additional nations.
With the beatification complete, the Vatican can now begin investigating potential miracles for Sheen's canonization.
What this adds
The beatification ceremony was organized by the Fulton Sheen Movement, which aims to re-popularize Sheen's evangelizing work.
The Mass was presided over by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, pro-prefect of the Section for First Evangelization and New Particular Churches of the Dicastery for Evangelization.
The ceremony included the unveiling of a portrait of Archbishop Sheen with an image of a halo.
What's confirmed
- At the beatification ceremony in St. Louis, Bishop Robert Barron of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester, Minnesota, highlighted Archbishop Fulton Sheen's profound friendship with Jesus Christ.
- Barron noted Sheen's autobiography, 'Treasure in Clay,' as a testament to his spiritual journey and his deep relationship with Christ.
- Barron emphasized Sheen's commitment to evangelization, saying, 'No one in the 20th century walked the great path of mission with more flair and dedication than Fulton Sheen.
- The bishop also called Sheen 'par excellence, the saint of the New Evangelization,' reflecting on the Church's renewed commitment to spreading the Gospel.
- Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle presided over the Mass, declaring Sheen formally counted among the Church’s 'beati,' or blessed.
- The ceremony included the presentation of a major relic of Archbishop Sheen, his mandible, symbolizing his oratorical gifts.
- Barron's homily focused on Sheen's life as a model for anyone seeking to bring the Gospel to modern culture.
- The beatification Mass was attended by close to 90 bishops, some 1,000 priests, an estimated 1,600 religious, and almost 250 deacons.
- Cardinal Tagle noted Sheen's passionate advocacy for the poor during the Second Vatican Council and his dedication to sharing the Gospel.
- Barron's reflection on Sheen's life and witness emphasized the importance of unmerited divine love and the role of Mary in Sheen's spiritual journey.
- The event also featured a press conference where Bishop Louis Tylka of Peoria highlighted the representation of pilgrims from almost every U.S. state and several additional nations.
- With the beatification complete, the Vatican can now begin investigating potential miracles for Sheen's canonization.
What's still developing
- Barron began by recalling Sheen’s extraordinary influence as a preacher and communicator, including the millions who watched his television programs at the height of his career.
- But Barron said he wanted to focus on a different question: What made Sheen “blessed, a saintly man of God”?
- Sheen repeatedly insisted that Christianity was not an abstract philosophy or simply a set of moral convictions but a relationship with a living person — Jesus Christ, who told his apostles that he no longer called them servants but friends.
- The passage offered a template for the spiritual journey, Barron said.
- His academic formation, Barron noted, was always directed toward that apostolic purpose.
- Through that process, Barron said, Sheen became more deeply conformed to Christ and more ready to be sent.
- The bishop looked beyond Sheen’s public fame to the prayer, sacrifice, and friendship with Christ that shaped his life.
- More than 1,000 people gathered for the service, as the cathedral’s schola sang the psalms and canticles and Archbishop Mitchell T.
- Sheen — the 20th-century theologian, evangelizer and Catholic communications pioneer — “opened the door to the evangelization of the world,” said Bishop Robert E.
- Archbishop Sheen embraced “unmerited divine love,” exemplified in Mary, whom he viewed in accord with Catholic theological tradition as “the prime instance of a human being receiving the unmerited love of God,” said Bishop Barron.
- As he contemplated God’s holiness, Archbishop Sheen was ready “to admit his failures, his bad judgments, his personal weaknesses,” said Bishop Barron.
- Through radio and television broadcasts, extensive writings, speaking engagements and missionary travels, Archbishop Sheen devoted his life to making Christ known to the world, said Bishop Barron.