Who Was Fulton J. Sheen?
Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen (1895–1979) was one of the most influential Catholic voices of the 20th century. Born in El Paso, Illinois, and raised in Peoria, he was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Peoria in 1919 and went on to become a renowned theologian, author, preacher, and bishop. Sheen gained national recognition through his television program Life is Worth Living, which brought the Catholic faith into millions of homes and earned him an Emmy Award for Outstanding Television Personality. Through more than 60 books and countless broadcasts, he became a pioneer of Catholic media evangelization, known for explaining the faith with clarity, wisdom, and humor. His Beatification recognizes his life of heroic virtue and the miracle attributed to his intercession, and the Church now honors him with the title “Blessed Fulton J. Sheen.”
What is Beatification?
Beatification is an important step in the Catholic Church's process of canonization, recognizing that a person lived a life of heroic virtue or faithfully gave their life for Christ. When someone is beatified, the Church declares that the individual is in Heaven and may intercede before God on behalf of the faithful. They receive the title "Blessed," and public veneration is permitted in designated regions, dioceses, or communities. Beatification also serves as an invitation for Catholics to look to the Blessed as an example of holy living and to seek their prayers. It is a joyful affirmation of God's grace at work in an individual's life and a reminder that the call to holiness is possible for all.
The Beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen will be on Thursday, September 24, 2026 at 2pm. The Mass will take place at The Dome at American's Center in St. Louis, Missouri. St. Henry Parish has organized a pilgrimage trip to witness this beatification and we hope that you will take this once in a lifetime opportunity. We hope that you will join us in prayer and thanksgiving to honor his witness to Christ and ask for his intercession. Saints like him remind us that holiness is possible for each of us and that our lives can reflect God's love in the world. A true inspiration for Catholics everywhere to boldly share the Gospel and live lives of virtue.
Contact Mary Schmittmeyer at at: sfplc@sthenrycluster.com, or call/text at 419.336.7745.
Eucharistic Holy Hour
Inspired by Fulton J. Sheen
The day he was ordained, Fulton Sheen made a vow that he would make a Holy Hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament every day of his priesthood. He kept this vow for all 60 years of his priesthood and said this of the devotion, “The purpose of the Holy Hour is to encourage deep personal encounter with Christ. The holy and glorious God is constantly inviting us to come to Him, to hold converse with Him, to ask for such things as we need and to experience what a blessing there is in fellowship with Him.”