Venerable Fulton J. Sheen
Stored in Cargo: Venerable Fulton J. Sheen
| Venerable Fulton J. Sheen | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | None established (pending beatification) |
| Profession | Priest; bishop; archbishop; professor; media evangelist; author |
| Rel. Affiliation | Diocese of Peoria; Archdiocese of New York; Diocese of Rochester |
| Patronage | evangelists; media apostolate; converts; preachers; television/radio personalities |
| Attributes | Television set; crucifix; biretta; book (writings); holy hour imagery |
| Birthplace | El Paso, Illinois, United States |
| Death Place | New York City, New York, United States |
| Cause of Death | Complications following open-heart surgery (natural causes) |
| Primary Shrine | Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Peoria, Illinois (tomb and relics) |
Venerable Fulton J. Sheen (born Peter John Sheen), an American Catholic prelate, theologian, evangelist, and media pioneer, was renowned for his prolific writings, radio and television apostolate, and influential preaching in the 20th century. According to diocesan records from Peoria and Vatican announcements, he was born on May 8, 1895, in El Paso, Illinois, as the eldest of four sons to Newton and Delia (Fulton) Sheen, a farming family. Ordained a priest for the Diocese of Peoria on September 20, 1919, he pursued advanced studies in philosophy and theology, earning a doctorate in philosophy from the Catholic University of Louvain (Belgium) in 1923 (where he received the Cardinal Mercier Prize for International Philosophy) and a doctorate in sacred theology from the Angelicum in Rome.
Evidence from Church biographies and his extensive published works indicates Sheen taught theology and philosophy at the Catholic University of America (1926–1950), served as national director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith (1950–1966), and hosted groundbreaking media programs: *The Catholic Hour* on radio (NBC, 1930–1950) and *Life Is Worth Living* on television (1951–1957), earning an Emmy Award in 1952 for Most Outstanding Television Personality. Appointed Auxiliary Bishop of New York in 1951, he became Bishop of Rochester (1966–1969) before resigning and receiving the titular see of Newport (Wales) as archbishop. He died on December 9, 1979, at age 84 in New York City, shortly after open-heart surgery, having maintained a daily holy hour since ordination.
His cause for canonization was opened in 2002 by the Diocese of Peoria. Declared Venerable by Pope Benedict XVI on June 28, 2012, for heroic virtue, a miracle attributed to his intercession—the recovery of a stillborn child (James Fulton Engstrom) in 2010 after prayers by his parents—was medically approved in 2014 and formally recognized by Pope Francis on July 6, 2019. Beatification was scheduled for December 21, 2019, but paused by the Holy See due to concerns regarding his handling of clergy abuse cases during his Rochester episcopacy (1966–1969) and a dispute over his remains (relocated from St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York, to Peoria's Cathedral of St. Mary in 2019). As of February 9, 2026, the Vatican has informed Bishop Louis Tylka of Peoria that the cause may proceed to beatification, clearing the path for him to be declared Blessed (date and location pending, potentially in September 2026). No second miracle has been authenticated for canonization. This reflects official diocesan and Vatican updates, but consult primary Church sources (Diocese of Peoria, Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Foundation at celebratesheen.com, or Dicastery for the Causes of Saints) for the latest details on the ceremony.
Biography
Birth
According to diocesan records and biographical sources, Venerable Fulton J. Sheen was born Peter John Sheen on May 8, 1895, in El Paso, Illinois.[1]
Evidence suggests his early life in a modest farming family fostered a strong Catholic foundation.
Early Life
Sheen attended Spalding Institute in Peoria and St. Viator College before entering seminary studies at Saint Paul Seminary (Minnesota).[2]
Historical accounts note his intellectual gifts and early priestly zeal, leading to ordination on September 20, 1919.
Occupation
Sheen taught at Catholic University of America and served as national director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith (1950–1966).[3]
His media work included Emmy-winning television programs reaching millions.
Vocation
Sheen's vocation emphasized evangelization through intellect, media, and preaching. Appointed auxiliary bishop of New York (1951), bishop of Rochester (1966–1969), and archbishop ad personam.
Hagiographic tradition holds his daily holy hour as central to his ministry, though some personal spiritual practices reflect pious accounts.
Death
Venerable Fulton J. Sheen met his end on December 9, 1979, in New York City, following open-heart surgery.[4]
According to witnesses, he died in his private chapel before the Blessed Sacrament.
Significant events
- Born May 8, 1895, in El Paso, Illinois.
- Ordained priest September 20, 1919.
- Earned doctorates in philosophy (1923) and theology.
- Hosted *The Catholic Hour* radio (1930–1950).
- Launched *Life Is Worth Living* TV (1951–1957).
- Appointed Auxiliary Bishop of New York 1951.
- National Director, Society for the Propagation of the Faith 1950–1966.
- Bishop of Rochester 1966–1969.
- Died December 9, 1979.
- Declared Venerable June 28, 2012.
- Miracle approved July 6, 2019.
- Beatification approved February 9, 2026 (pending ceremony).
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: El Paso, Illinois, United States
Death location: New York City, New York, United States
Notable location: Professor of theology and philosophy (1926–1950) (Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C.)
Notable location: Longtime residence and ministry base; initial burial site (St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York City)
Notable location: Current resting place of remains (since 2019); ordination diocese (Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Peoria, Illinois)
Notable location: Bishop of Rochester (1966–1969) (Diocese of Rochester Chancery, Rochester, New York)
Notable location:
Life tour: Footprints — walkable life places and pilgrimage stops
Dynamic content
Parishes
No parishes dedicated to Venerable Fulton J. Sheen have been added to the database yet.
Media
No media found for this saint.
Shrines
No results
No shrines where this saint is the primary saint.
List of shrines
Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception
- In Peoria, Illinois, this cathedral houses Sheen's tomb and relics (relocated 2019). Designated by the diocese for pilgrimage and devotion, it serves as a center for veneration, Masses, and prayer, qualifying under Canon 1230.[5]
- Pilgrimage details: Peoria, ongoing veneration; Diocese of Peoria.
- Fact: Sheen ordained priest for this diocese; primary site of cause promotion.
St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York City
- Sheen's longtime ministry base and initial burial site (1979–2019). While not current resting place, associated with devotion.
- Pilgrimage details: New York; Archdiocese of New York.
- Fact: Site of many broadcasts and episcopal service.
Canonization
Servant of God
Cause opened 2002 in Diocese of Peoria.
Venerable
Declared Venerable June 28, 2012, by Pope Benedict XVI for heroic virtue.
Beatification
Approved February 9, 2026, by the Holy See (following 2019 miracle recognition); ceremony pending.
Canonization
No canonization; requires second miracle post-beatification.
Miracles
- Recovery of stillborn child James Fulton Engstrom (2010) after intercession prayers.
Miracle for beatification
According to Vatican records, in 2010, a stillborn infant (no pulse for over an hour) revived fully after parents prayed through Sheen's intercession. Medically inexplicable per experts.[6]
This miracle enabled beatification path.
Miracle for canonization
No second miracle authenticated as of February 9, 2026.
Other notable miracles
Various graces reported in popular devotion, though unverified beyond the beatification miracle.
Patronage
Venerable Fulton J. Sheen enjoys popular devotion as intercessor for evangelists, media workers, preachers, and converts.
Feast day
None established (pending beatification).
Veneration
Venerable Fulton J. Sheen is venerated through his writings, archived broadcasts, pilgrimages to Peoria Cathedral, and the Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Foundation. Relics are kept in Peoria Cathedral.
He has been depicted in statues, portraits, and media reenactments emphasizing his television presence. His legacy influences Catholic media evangelization and apologetics.
Books
Written about the saint
- Biographies such as *Treasure in Clay* (his autobiography).
- Works by biographers on his media apostolate.
Written by the saint
- Over 70 books, including *Life Is Worth Living* series, *Way to Inner Peace*, *Communism and the Conscience of the West*.
External links
- Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Foundation
- Fulton J. Sheen - Wikipedia
- Catholic University of America Sheen site
References
- ↑ Diocese of Peoria cause documents; Wikipedia (sourced from primary biographies)
- ↑ Official cause biography; Fulton Sheen Foundation
- ↑ Church records; biographical sources
- ↑ Vatican and diocesan records
- ↑ Diocese of Peoria; Sheen Foundation
- ↑ Congregation for the Causes of Saints; approved 2014 medically, 2019 by Pope Francis