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Blessed Fulton J. Sheen
Image: Fred Palumbo, World Telegram staff photographer · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Blessed Fulton J. Sheen

American bishop famous for radio and television, beatified in 2026

Rank
Blessed
Kind
Bishop, Priest
Life
1895 – 1979
Era
20th century
Feast
9 December
Countries
United States
United States

Life story

Peter John Sheen was born on 8 May 1895 in El Paso, Illinois, and later took the name Fulton, his mother's maiden name. He was ordained for the Diocese of Peoria on 20 September 1919 and went on to further study in Europe. From 1926 to 1950 he taught philosophy at the Catholic University of America in Washington while also speaking on radio.

In 1950 he became national director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith in the United States, a post he held for about 16 years, raising funds for mission dioceses. On 11 June 1951 he was consecrated auxiliary bishop of New York. From 1952 he hosted the television show Life Is Worth Living, winning an Emmy that year, and later The Fulton Sheen Program (1961 to 1968). In 1966 he was appointed bishop of Rochester, and he resigned in 1969.

He was afterwards given the title of archbishop (Newport) and died on 9 December 1979 in New York. The Church declared him venerable in 2012. A miracle was approved in 2019, but the beatification ceremony was postponed until 2026. He was beatified on 24 September 2026 in St. Louis, with Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle presiding on behalf of Pope Leo XIV. His feast day is 9 December.

Works and witness

  • Taught philosophy at the Catholic University of America from 1926 to 1950
  • National director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith from 1950
  • Hosted Life Is Worth Living on television from 1952
  • Bishop of Rochester from 1966 to 1969
  • Beatified on 24 September 2026

Saints from the same country

Saint Kateri Tekakwitha, Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, Saint Katharine Drexel, Blessed Solanus Casey

References

  • Thomas C. Reeves, America's Bishop: The Life and Times of Fulton J. Sheen (Encounter Books, 2001)
  • Dicastery for the Causes of Saints: announcement of the beatification, 25 March 2026
  • Diocese of Peoria, Cause for Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen
  • Vatican News, 25 March 2026: Fulton Sheen to be beatified in St. Louis on 24 September

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.