(OSV News): The much-anticipated beatification of Blessed Fulton Sheen on September 24 in St. Louis, Missouri, the United States marked a historic moment for the Catholic Church in the United States. He is the first television host and the first American-born bishop to be formally recognised as “blessed” by the Church.
Blessed Sheen “knew Jesus Christ, our Lord” and understood that “the gospel always sends us outward” to share God’s love with the world, said Father Peter James Alindogan, pastor of St. Veronica in Howell, New Jersey, who delivered the homily at a Mass—presided by Bishop Louis Tylka of Peoria—marking the anniversary of Archbishop Sheen’s priestly ordination before his beatification on September 24.
The Mass was celebrated at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, where Archbishop Sheen’s remains are entombed.
Father Alindogan, a native of the Philippines, noted that Blessed Sheen was a master communicator, and “could stand before a television camera with a blackboard and chalk and explain theology to America without PowerPoint. That alone may qualify as a miracle.”
However he noted that “the secret of Fulton Sheen” wasn’t television or microphones, but “the Blessed Sacrament” whom he adored in his “daily Holy Hour.”
Blessed Sheen ‘knew Jesus Christ, our Lord’ and understood that ‘the gospel always sends us outward’
Father Peter James Alindogan, pastor of St. Veronica in Howell
Father Alindogan said, “Before Sheen spoke to millions, he sat silently before our blessed Lord. Before he stood beneath studio lights, he knelt before the sanctuary lamp. Perhaps that is why people listened. They sense that he was not merely speaking about Christ. He knew Jesus Christ, our Lord. That may be one of the most important lessons his priesthood leaves us.”
He emphasised that the archbishop “deeply” understood that “we are one in the mystical body of Christ.”
Father Alindogan said, “The Eucharist sends us out.”
For many US bishops, Blessed Sheen’s beatification is more than a historical milestone. They emphasise that his influence as an evangelist and communicator was grounded in a deep spiritual life and continues to offer guidance for the Church’s mission.
As auxiliary bishop of New York from 1951 to 1966, Sheen made a lasting impact on the Church. Even before then, he had spent years travelling to NBC studios to broadcast his widely popular radio programme, all while teaching at The Catholic University of America. In New York, he directed the Society for the Propagation of the Faith [one of The Pontifical Mission Societies], connecting US Catholics to global missionary work.
Archbishop Ronald Hicks of New York said Sheen’s ministry demonstrates that evangelisation must draw people into the Church’s mission.
Before Sheen spoke to millions, he sat silently before our blessed Lord. Before he stood beneath studio lights, he knelt before the sanctuary lamp. Perhaps that is why people listened
Father Alindogan
“He was able to connect evangelisation with mission,” Archbishop Hicks said. “We oftentimes focus only on his efforts to be on the radio or in front of television, and he did an extraordinary job at all of that. And at the same time, he used that platform to connect people to the mission of the Church, helping us to go deeper in our journey to know, love and serve Jesus.”
Archbishop Hicks stressed that his extraordinary public ministry flowed from the depth of his own Catholic life.
He pointed to Sheen’s devotion to the Eucharist, Scripture and prayer as central to his life and ministry.
Blessed Sheen, the archbishop noted, encouraged the Church to remain outward-looking and missionary, dedicating much of his work to supporting emerging Churches worldwide.
But what inspires Archbishop Hicks most is his willingness to serve wherever he was needed.
“Sheen always answered with a ‘Yes, send me where you need me, Lord,’ and I will go and I will respond and I will give it my best,” he said. “And his example inspires me.”
He was able to connect evangelisation with mission
Archbishop Hicks
Bishop John Barres of Rockville Centre called Sheen “our American St. Paul”, highlighting how Sheen’s contemplative life and missionary zeal reflect the qualities of true sainthood.
Bishop Barres linked the vitality of mission at home and abroad to Catholics’ willingness to pray, sacrifice and witness to their faith in all parts of life.
The bishop, who now chairs the Pontifical Mission Societies once led by Sheen and was baptised by him, sees the beatification as a call to continue Sheen’s missionary legacy in the 21st century.
He points to Blessed Sheen’s gifts as a teacher and model for bishops, particularly his conviction “that the truth claims of the Catholic Church are liberating to all human beings because they are objectively true for all human beings.”
Archbishop James Golka of Denver remarked that Archbishop Sheen’s legacy as a teacher of the faith is equally compelling.
Archbishop Golka recalled Sheen’s iconic television lessons as an example for all bishops to teach the faith to the wider world, not just their own communities.
He was, in a certain sense, all things to all people in his day. I think that’s going to be his lasting legacy as an evangelist, really
Archbishop Paul Coakley
He said that Blessed Sheen’s “clear, unambiguous teachings” demonstrate how “truth leads to beauty and to wonder and to love.” In a culture increasingly marked by division and anxiety, he sees Blessed Sheen’s insistence on putting Christ at the centre of everything as an enduring message.
“Our culture and world are divided and anxious, and we know the only remedy to that is Christ,” he said.
Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City, president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, described Blessed Sheen as one of the nation’s premier evangelists and a key model for the Church’s task of evangelisation today.
Archbishop Coakley sees his example as “prophetic and profound,” saying, “He was, in a certain sense, all things to all people in his day. I think that’s going to be his lasting legacy as an evangelist, really.”
He also called the beatification a source of pride for the US bishops, as recognition of Blessed Sheen’s historic role as evangelist and leader.
For many bishops, Blessed Sheen’s legacy as missionary, teacher and evangelist—attentive to the poor and grounded in prayer—offers a model of episcopal ministry rooted in personal holiness.
“In a certain sense, Sheen’s beatification is evidence that the Church in the United States is coming of age and maturing in many ways,” Archbishop Croakley said. “The full flowering of our baptismal grace is a life of holiness, and to have some of our ecclesiastical figures, priests and bishops, who are being acknowledged and recognised by the Church for their holiness is, I think, a sign of great hope.”
