From Chicago Sun-Times · · 3m
Fulton Sheen Beatified in St. Louis
Fulton Sheen, famed radio and TV priest, to be beatified in St. Louis, a step toward sainthood.
In brief
Fulton Sheen, famed radio and TV priest, to be beatified in St. Louis, a step toward sainthood. Fulton Sheen, a pioneer of religious broadcasting, will be beatified in St. Louis, designated 'Blessed Fulton Sheen', one step closer to sainthood. Originally reported by Chicago Sun-Times.
Beatification Ceremony
Tens of thousands of Catholic devotees gather in St. Louis for Fulton Sheen's beatification ceremony, designating him 'Blessed Fulton Sheen' one step away from sainthood.
“Tens of thousands are gathering in St. Louis for the beatification ceremony of the late Archbishop Fulton Sheen, a pioneer of religious broadcasting.”
Event Location
The ceremony takes place at the Dome at America’s Center after years of delays, chosen because no venue in his home diocese of Peoria, Illinois, could accommodate the anticipated attendees.
“The stadium was chosen for the site because there wasn’t a venue large enough in his home Diocese of Peoria, Illinois, to accommodate the anticipated number of attendees.”
Ticket Distribution
About 50,000 tickets were distributed as of Thursday, with downtown streets filling up with pilgrims, many in clerical garb and habits.
“About 50,000 tickets were distributed as of Thursday, according to organizers with the diocese and the Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Foundation, which advocates for his sainthood.”
Pilgrims and Attendees
Scores of bishops, a thousand priests, hundreds of religious order members, seminarians, and deacons are expected to attend the ceremony.
“Scores of bishops, a thousand priests and hundreds of religious order members, seminarians and deacons were expected.”
Sheen's Legacy
Sheen was a pioneering radio priest who adopted television in the 1950s, hosting 'Life is Worth Living' and becoming America’s first televangelist.
“Sheen was a pioneering radio priest who quickly adopted the new medium of television in the 1950s, when he began hosting the program, 'Life is Worth Living.'”
Pope Leo XIV
Pope Leo XIV, who watched Sheen’s broadcasts while growing up in Chicago, praised Sheen as a beacon of faith, hope, and love who shone through radio and television for decades.
“Pope Leo said in a June speech to directors of The Pontifical Mission Societies, which Sheen headed in the U.S. for 16 years, 'Archbishop Sheen was a beacon of faith, hope, and love who shone through radio and television for decades.'”
James Fulton Engstrom
James Fulton Engstrom, now 16, will present relics of Sheen at the ceremony after his mother sought Sheen’s intercession for healing when he was born without a pulse.
“The Peoria-area child, the now-teenaged James Fulton Engstrom, is slated to present relics of Sheen at the ceremony, accompanied by his family, who had sought Sheen’s intercession for healing.”
Miracle for Beatification
The Vatican attributed to Sheen the resuscitation of a 2010 infant born without a pulse, revived after lengthy efforts by medical workers.
“The late Pope Francis approved the beatification, attributing to Sheen the resuscitation of an infant born in 2010 without a pulse and revived only after lengthy efforts by medical workers.”
Sheen's Background
Sheen was born in 1895 in El Paso, Illinois, raised in Peoria, and became a priest before earning a doctorate in philosophy.
“Sheen was born in 1895 in the small town of El Paso, Illinois, and raised in Peoria.”
Sheen's Death and Relocation
Sheen died at 84 and was buried at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York until his niece won a court battle in 2019 to move his body to Peoria’s Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception.
“After his death at 84, he was buried at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York until his niece won a court battle in 2019 to move his body to Peoria’s Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception.”
Beatification Delays
The beatification was originally scheduled for 2019 but delayed due to legal investigations into priest sexual abuse in New York state, where Sheen briefly led the Diocese of Rochester.
“The beatification was originally scheduled for 2019, but the Vatican delayed the ceremony. The Diocese of Rochester, which Sheen briefly led in the 1960s, requested the delay out of caution, due to legal investigations taking place then into the oversight of priests accused of sexual abuse across New York state.”
Pope Leo XIV's Approval
Pope Leo XIV approved the beatification earlier this year, stating it would inspire many to spread the gospel message with joyful enthusiasm.
“Pope Leo XIV approved the beatification earlier this year.”
Relics and Devotion
Pilgrims place crucifixes and other items on Sheen’s marble tomb in Peoria, giving them status as relics, and his mother taught her children to have a devotion to their patron saint.
“It’s there, where Sheen had been a young altar server and was later ordained a priest, that pilgrims now place crucifixes and other items on his marble tomb, giving them status as relics.”
James' Perspective
James, 16, has a devotion to Sheen but avoids the media spotlight, saying he needs space to have his own journey of life.
“James, who just turned 16, has a devotion to Sheen, but he’s largely avoiding the media spotlight. 'He’s a delightful young man, but he’s still just a teenage boy, and he needs to be given the space and the grace to have his own journey of life,' Engstrom said.”
Miracle Investigation
Church officials review records and interview witnesses to determine if a healing qualifies as a miracle, with six more cases under investigation for potential sainthood.
“Monsignor Jason Gray, executive director of the Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Foundation, said church investigators review records and interview witnesses before determining whether a healing qualifies as a miracle. He said there are now six more cases under investigation; a second miracle would qualify Sheen for sainthood under Vatican rules.”
Canonization Outlook
Peoria Bishop Louis Tylka believes the wait for canonization will be shorter than for beatification, especially with an Illinois-born pope who is aware of Sheen’s influence.
“Peoria Bishop Louis Tylka said he believes the wait for canonization will be shorter than for the beatification, especially with an Illinois-born pope who’s 'very much aware of who Sheen is and how he influenced his own life.'”
The short version
Fulton Sheen, a pioneer of religious broadcasting, will be beatified in St. Louis, designated 'Blessed Fulton Sheen', one step closer to sainthood.
