Preparations are gathering pace in the Illinois hometown of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen as Catholics and admirers get ready for his historic beatification later this month.
Sheen, a pioneering Catholic television preacher who reached millions of Americans through his programmes, will be beatified on September 24 at the Dome at America’s Center in St Louis, Missouri. The Mass will be presided over by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, representing Pope Leo XIV.
A hometown remembers a much-loved preacher
Peoria holds a special place in Sheen’s story. His remains were returned to the city after a long legal dispute, and his hometown has since become an important centre for those seeking to preserve and share his legacy.
The upcoming beatification has generated strong interest among Catholics and people familiar with his work. Organisers have described the event as a significant moment for the Catholic Church in the United States.
From television screens to the path to sainthood
Sheen became widely known through his 1950s television programme Life is Worth Living, becoming one of the most recognisable Catholic religious broadcasters of his era.
The Church recognised his heroic virtue in 2012, when Pope Benedict XVI declared him Venerable. In 2019, Pope Francis authorised a decree recognising a miracle attributed to Sheen’s intercession, clearing the way towards beatification.
A major moment for the faithful
The beatification Mass is scheduled for September 24 at 2 pm local time, with thousands expected to gather in St Louis. The Fulton J. Sheen Foundation has also organised activities in Peoria before and after the ceremony.
For his hometown, the occasion is more than a formal Church ceremony. It is an opportunity to remember a familiar voice of faith whose message reached generations through television and continues to inspire Catholics today.
Following beatification, Sheen will receive the title Blessed Fulton Sheen. Canonisation would require recognition of a second miracle attributed to his intercession.