ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI - More than 100 seminarians in three buses from The St. Paul Seminary and 16 seminarians in three minivans from St. John Vianney College Seminary (SJV), both in St. Paul, traveled to St. Louis for the beatification Mass of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.

Diocese of New Ulm seminarians and Bishop Chad Zielinski stand for a photo behind an image of the late Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri. Pictured (front row) l, Bishop Zielinski and Matthew Collins; (Back row) Deacon Brent Sundve, David Rabaey, Mark Schommer, and Isaac Timmerman.

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen — the 20th-century theologian, evangelizer, Catholic communications pioneer, teacher and preacher — is now Blessed Fulton J. Sheen. The Mass of Beatification took place on Friday, September 25, 2026, at 2 p.m. at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri, marking a historic moment for the Catholic Church in the United States and worldwide. In addition to the Beatification Mass, pilgrims could participate in a rich series of prayerful, educational, and celebratory events from Sept. 15-26. These included Masses of Thanksgiving, visits to Archbishop Sheen’s tomb, and the inaugural Sheen Awards Gala, all in Peoria, IL.

Who was Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen?

• Born in 1895, grew up, and was ordained in the Diocese of Peoria, Illinois

• Served as Auxiliary Bishop of New York (1951-1966) and Bishop of Rochester (1966-1969)

• Was given the honorary title of Archbishop on his retirement (1969)

• Known for clarity, humor, and a deep love for the Eucharist and the Blessed Virgin Mary

• Famous for his radio and television program, Life Is Worth Living, reaching millions with the

Gospel

What Is Beatification?

In the Catholic Church, beatification is the first major step to sainthood, granting a deceased person the title "Blessed" and allowing limited public veneration after proving heroic virtue and one verified miracle. A verified miracle attributed to Archbishop Sheen’s intercession—the unexplained healing of an infant—helped bring him to this joyful step toward sainthood. Canonization is the final step, declaring the person a saint, permitting reverence across the entire Church, and requiring a second miracle after beatification, making their veneration universal. Essentially, beatification opens the door for local honor, while canonization opens it for the whole world, recognizing a saint as being in heaven with God.

Why This Is Important

It’s important for the local Church as we celebrate one of our own whose faith and holiness grew from our local community. For the Universal Church, it inspires Catholics everywhere to boldly share the Gospel and live lives of virtue.