Beatification Mass for Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen

The beatification Mass for Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen took place at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis on 24th September, with an attendance of tens of thousands of faithful. Pope Leo XIII issued a papal decree recognising Fulton Sheen’s beatification. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, serving as the papal legate, read the apostolic letter during the Mass in St. Louis.

Blessed Fulton Sheen’s feast day will be observed on 9th December, the anniversary of his death. This date also commemorates the first apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe to St. Juan Diego in 1531.

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen understood the power of modern communication long before television became a normal part of everyday life.

Sheen was already famous for his work on radio and television before the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II) began in 1962. He attended all four sessions of Vatican II, which took place between 1962 and 1965.[1] A detailed study of the Council records reports that he was present throughout all four sessions, attended 168 general congregations and all ten public sessions, and served throughout the Council on its Commission on the Missions.[1]

By this time, Sheen had already shown that television could be used for much more than entertainment. Through programmes such as Life Is Worth Living, he used television to speak about Christianity, morality and everyday life to millions of people. His audience extended far beyond a single local congregation.[2]

Sheen understood that television required a different way of communicating. He spoke directly to the camera, told stories, used humour and explained difficult ideas in simple language. His famous blackboard also helped him explain his ideas visually.

During Vatican II, the Catholic Church considered how modern forms of communication could be used responsibly. One of the Council’s documents was Inter Mirifica, or the Decree on the Means of Social Communication, promulgated on 4 December 1963.[3]

The document discussed newspapers, films, radio and television. The Council recognised that these modern forms of communication could reach and influence individuals, large groups of people and society as a whole. It also recognised that, when used properly, they could contribute to education and to spreading the Christian message.[3]

Inter Mirifica also said that people working in the media had important responsibilities. Information should be truthful, human dignity should be respected, and those producing programmes and publications should understand the influence they could have on others.[3]

Fulton Sheen should not be described as the author of Inter Mirifica, and there is not enough evidence to say that he personally shaped its final wording. His importance is different.

Fulton Sheen had already demonstrated in practice what Vatican II was beginning to recognise officially: modern communications could be powerful tools for reaching people.

While the Council was discussing the possibilities of television and mass communication, Sheen brought years of practical broadcasting experience. He had already shown that religious teaching did not have to remain inside churches. Through radio and television, it could enter people’s homes and reach millions.

In that sense, Fulton Sheen was ahead of his time. He did not simply talk about using modern media for evangelisation – he had already proved that it could be done.

1. AdVaticanum. “Elegant Latin” and “dramatic gestures”: Archbishop Fulton Sheen at the Second Vatican Council, 23 September 2026. The study reports that Sheen was present throughout all four sessions, attended 168 general congregations and all ten public sessions, and served throughout the Council on the Commission on the Missions. https://advaticanum.com/article/elegant-latin-and-dramatic-gestures-archbishop-fulton-sheen-at-the-second-vatican-council/

2. Library of Congress. Fred Palumbo, Bishop Fulton J. Sheen, full-length portrait, 1952. New York World-Telegram & Sun Newspaper Photograph Collection. Rights advisory: no known restrictions on publication for NYWT&S staff photographs. https://www.loc.gov/item/99471669/

3. Second Vatican Council. Inter Mirifica: Decree on the Means of Social Communication, promulgated by Pope Paul VI, 4 December 1963. Official Vatican text: https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decree_19631204_inter-mirifica_en.html

Image: The tomb of Fulton J. Sheen, Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Peoria, Illinois, 23 August 2023. Photograph by Farragutful. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

Image: Bishop Fulton J. Sheen, 1952. Photograph by Fred Palumbo, New York World-Telegram & Sun Newspaper Photograph Collection, Library of Congress. The archival record identifies it as an NYWT&S staff photograph; the collection is recorded as having no known restrictions on publication for these staff photographs. Picryl

Wikimedia Commons — Fulton J. Sheen NYWTSImage: Fulton J. Sheen at his desk, 23 October 1956. ABC Radio publicity photograph. Wikimedia Commons records the photograph as public domain in the United States; the stated basis is publication without a copyright notice. Picryl
Wikimedia Commons — Bishop Fulton J. Sheen 1956

Image: Fulton J. Sheen, cropped portrait, 23 October 1956. Cropped from the ABC Radio publicity photograph Bishop Fulton J. Sheen 1956. Wikimedia Commons records the underlying photograph as public domain in the United States because it was published without a copyright notice. Picryl
Wikimedia Commons — Bishop Fulton J. Sheen 1956 (cropped)

Image: Rev. Fulton J. Sheen, early portrait. Harris & Ewing Collection, Library of Congress. Wikimedia Commons holds the high-resolution Library of Congress image among its public-domain Sheen material. Wikimedia Commons
Wikimedia Commons — Rev. Fulton J. Sheen, Harris & Ewing

Image: Council Fathers in St Peter’s Square at the opening of the Second Vatican Council, 11 October 1962. Photograph by Peter Geymayer. The photographer expressly released the work into the public domain worldwide, allowing use for any purpose without conditions except where legally required. Wikimedia Commons
Wikimedia Commons — Konzilseroeffnung 2

Image: Second Vatican Council in session in St Peter’s Basilica, 1962–1965. Catholic Press Photo / photographer unknown. Wikimedia Commons records the photograph as public domain under its applicable Italian and United States copyright analysis. Salt + Light Media
Wikimedia Commons — Vatican II in session

Editorial note. The article distinguishes Sheen’s documented participation in Vatican II from any claim that he authored or directly shaped Inter Mirifica. No EWTN image, screenshot, logo or broadcast material is used in this edition.