5 things to know about Archbishop Fulton Sheen as his beatification approaches September 23, 2026By Jenna Mattern Catholic Review Filed Under: Feature, News, Saints, World News Who was Archbishop Fulton Sheen? Archbishop Sheen was born on May 8, 1895 in El Paso, Ill. He grew up in Peoria, Ill., where he attended Spalding Institute high school and later attended St. Viator College in Bourbonnais, Ill. He was ordained as a priest in 1919 for the Diocese of Peoria, and eventually served as auxiliary bishop of New York 1951-66 and as bishop of Rochester 1966-69. Upon his retirement in 1969, he was given the honorary title of archbishop. He died Dec. 9, 1979, of heart disease at age 84 in New York. His tomb is in the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Peoria. What was Archbishop Sheen most known for? Archbishop Sheen is most known for using mass media to evangelize. He began his radio broadcasts in 1926 where he hosted a Lenten sermon series on a New York radio station. Then, in 1930, he began his own weekly radio broadcast, “The Catholic Hour” on NBC. In February 1952, Archbishop Sheen pivoted to television broadcasting, where he launched and hosted his own series, “Life is Worth Living.” The series became immensely popular and led to Archbishop Sheen winning an Emmy for “Most Outstanding Television Personality.” Additionally, Archbishop Sheen wrote more than 60 books throughout his lifetime, with his most popular work titled “Life of Christ.” Archbishop Sheen was a pioneer in Catholic media outreach and was able to intertwine Catholic teachings with modern culture. He inspired millions of people through his work, Catholics and non-Catholics alike. Archbishop Sheen was also involved in a miracle healing of a newborn infant, James Fulton Engstrom, in 2010. The child was born stillborn and had no detectable heartbeat or respiration for more than an hour. After prayers asking for the intercession of Archbishop Sheen, the child’s heart began beating again and he later recovered fully with no future medical issues. The miracle was investigated in 2011 and approved by the Vatican in 2019. What are his ties to Baltimore? Although Archbishop Sheen does not have direct ties to the Baltimore area, Archbishop Sheen’s legacy had a significant impact on current Baltimore Archbishop William Lori. As a child, Archbishop Lori wrote a letter to Archbishop Sheen asking for prayers for his father who was experiencing back pain at the time. Archbishop Sheen responded and said yes, he would pray for his father. At the bottom of the letter in what Archbishop Lori described as “beautiful handwriting,” was a special postscript message from Archbishop Sheen that said, “You should consider becoming a priest.” Archbishop Lori, who still has the letter, described it as a “telegram from God.” Where and when can I watch his beatification? Archbishop Sheen’s beatification will take place Sept. 24 at 2 p.m. CDT at The Dome of America’s Center in St. Louis, Mo. The beatification is available to watch on the following platforms: EWTN: Watch extensive live television, digital and radio coverage at 3 p.m. EDT/2 p.m. CDT via the EWTN, its website or YouTube channel. CatholicTV: Watch the live broadcast starting at 3 p.m. EDT on the CatholicTV Network television channel. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Foundation: Watch the live stream directly on the official Fulton Sheen Foundation Website. Relevant Radio: Stream live audio and video directly in the Relevant Radio app. Why is Archbishop Sheen’s beatification significant to Catholics? Beatification is a formal step in the canonization process, after the declaration that Archbishop Sheen lived a life of heroic virtue, and requires a miracle attributed to the intercession of the candidate for sainthood. Beatification declares that it is worthy to believe that Archbishop Sheen is in heaven and can intercede on behalf of the faithful. Following beatification, Archbishop Sheen will be given the title “Blessed” and will be given an official feast day of Dec. 9, the anniversary of his death. Another miracle is required for canonization. Such miracle has to have occurred after the decree for beatification, which in Archbishop Sheen’s case, was in July 2019. For Catholics, Archbishop Sheen’s beatification highlights his influence as one of the most prominent Catholic broadcasters of the 20th century. Through his broadcasts, books and speeches, he reached a broad audience with Catholic teaching and religious commentary. Email Jenna Mattern at jmattern@CatholicReview.org Also see Archbishop Lori’s column on Archbishop Fulton Sheen: Sheen remembered Read more saints In Assisi, cardinals and friars celebrate the 800th anniversary of St. Francis’ death Pope Leo receives a relic of Blessed Fulton Sheen from Peoria’s bishop An evening of hope during Transitus prayer service Radio Interview: Franciscan spirituality and the 800th anniversary of Francis’ death Pakistan bishop ‘inspired’ by Blessed Fulton Sheen crossed globe for beatification 800 years after St. Francis’ death, Franciscans to mark his ‘Transitus’ — so what is it? Copyright © 2026 Catholic Review Media Print
