24/09/2026
5 FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT FULTON SHEEN ON THE DAY OF HIS BEATIFICATION.
Today, September 24, 2026, the Catholic Church celebrates a historic moment as Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen is beatified in St. Louis, Missouri.
But who exactly was Fulton Sheen, and why is his beatification such a significant moment?
Fulton J. Sheen was an American Catholic archbishop, theologian, author, teacher and one of the most influential Catholic evangelists of the 20th century. Born in Illinois in 1895, he became widely known for bringing Catholic teaching into people's homes through radio and television. His programs reached millions of people, making him one of the pioneers of modern Catholic evangelization.
Here are 5 facts you should know about him:
1. HE WAS DECLARED VENERABLE IN 2012.
Pope Benedict XVI recognized Fulton Sheen's heroic virtue and declared him Venerable in 2012. This was an important step in his cause for canonization.
2. HE WAS A PIONEER OF CATHOLIC TELEVISION AND RADIO EVANGELIZATION.
Sheen began appearing on the radio program The Catholic Hour in 1930. Later, his television program Life Is Worth Living became enormously popular, reportedly reaching about 30 million viewers at its height.
3. A MIRACLE ATTRIBUTED TO HIS INTERCESSION OPENED THE WAY FOR HIS BEATIFICATION.
The miracle that opened the way for his beatification involved a baby who survived after 61 minutes without a heartbeat.
In 2010, James Fulton Engstrom was born in Illinois without a detectable heartbeat or breathing. Medical personnel attempted to resuscitate him for approximately 61 minutes, and just as they were preparing to stop, his heart began beating again. His mother had prayed for the intercession of Archbishop Fulton Sheen. James went on to recover despite the severe outcome doctors had initially feared. After a detailed investigation involving medical experts, theologians and witness testimony, the Church recognized the recovery as a miracle attributed to Sheen's intercession. Pope Francis authorized the decree recognizing the miracle in 2019, clearing the way for Sheen's beatification.
4. HE WILL BECOME THE FIRST AMERICAN-BORN BISHOP TO BE BEATIFIED.
His beatification today is historic because Fulton Sheen will become the first American-born bishop to be formally beatified by the Catholic Church.
5. HIS BEATIFICATION IS TAKING PLACE TODAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2026, IN ST. LOUIS.
The Beatification Mass is being celebrated at The Dome at America's Center in St. Louis, Missouri, with Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle presiding as the representative of Pope Leo XIV. After the ceremony, Sheen will be officially known as Blessed Fulton J. Sheen.
WHY TODAY MATTERS.
Fulton Sheen spent much of his life using the communication tools of his time to bring people closer to Jesus Christ. His message reached far beyond the walls of churches and entered millions of homes.
Today, the Church officially recognizes his witness by declaring him Blessed.
His beatification is therefore not simply about remembering a famous preacher from the past. It is also a reminder that the Gospel can be proclaimed through every legitimate means available to us, and that the ultimate goal of evangelization is always to lead people to Christ.
