It’s news many Catholics have been waiting to hear: the cause for Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen is officially moving forward toward beatification.
On The Patrick Madrid Show, Patrick shared a letter from Bishop Louis Tilka of the Diocese of Peoria announcing that “the cause for the venerable servant of God, Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, can proceed to beatification.” The next step will be the formal celebration in which he will be declared “Blessed”, the final stage before canonization.
Archbishop Sheen was declared Venerable by Pope Benedict XVI on June 28, 2012, in recognition of his heroic virtue. The miracle attributed to his intercession was approved by Pope Francis on July 6, 2019. Now, the Church is working with the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints to finalize details for the beatification ceremony.
Patrick took a moment to clarify the process. Beatification permits limited public veneration, typically in a region. Canonization, which requires a second miracle, allows universal veneration throughout the Church. But as Patrick explained, canonization doesn’t “upgrade” someone in heaven.
“The reason that we canonize saints is for us,” he said. Those in heaven already enjoy the fullness of glory. The Church formally recognizes them so that we can honor them publicly and confidently ask for their intercession.
Drawing from Hebrews 12:1, Patrick reminded listeners that we are “surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses.” The saints are not distant or asleep. They are alive in God’s presence, cheering us on as we run the race of faith.
Bishop Tilka praised Archbishop Sheen as “one of the greatest voices of evangelization in the Church, in the world, in the 20th century.” From radio and television to his global leadership of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, Sheen brought countless souls into deeper encounter with Jesus Christ.
His deep devotion to the Blessed Mother and the Eucharist fueled a life poured out in service, especially for the missions and for those longing to hear the Gospel. For many American Catholics, his beatification will be a moment of joy and gratitude. And, as Patrick noted, another miracle will be needed for canonization.
For now, the Church rejoices. A heroic shepherd who once proclaimed Christ through the airwaves may soon be honored among the Blessed.
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