Who Was Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen? A Look Ahead to His Beatification
Today, with the widespread use of communication media such as YouTube, Social Media, Newsletters, websites, and Video Conferencing, we are all familiar with Catholic “influencers” such as Bishop Robert Barron and the Word on Fire, Fr. Mike Schmitz, or Fr. Dave Pivonka. But for those who don’t know our history (pre-Vatican II), who was Fulton Sheen and why is he important?
In the 1950s and 60s, Fulton J. Sheen (1895–1979) was the great communicator, a trailblazing American Catholic bishop, philosopher, and one of the 20th century’s most prominent religious broadcasters. Renowned for his radio and television programs, he hosted the wildly popular show Life Is Worth Living in the 1950s, reaching up to 30 million weekly viewers.
A master communicator and author of over 60 books, Sheen was the first individual to win an Emmy Award for “Most Outstanding Television Personality” in 1953. His engaging, unscripted lectures—often delivered with just a chalkboard—helped break down anti-Catholic prejudice in the United States and played a major role in modern religious broadcasting. Today, he is widely regarded for his deep theological writings and his ongoing canonization process toward sainthood.
The beatification of this renowned 20th-century media evangelist comes following the Vatican’s approval of a miracle attributed to his intercession—the 2010 medically unexplained recovery of a stillborn baby.
Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen’s beatification Mass will take place on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at 2:00 PM Central Time at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri. Cardinal Luis Tagle will serve as the papal representative for the Mass.
Pilgrimage Details: https://www.206tours.com/cms/frkirby/beatification/
Father Jeffrey Kirby, pastor of Our Lady of Grace Church in Lancaster, is leading a pilgrimage from Sept. 22–26 for those who would like to attend the beatification and travel with a group.