Participate in the Beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen
You don’t have to travel to St. Louis to be part of this historic moment in the life of the Church.
As the Church prepares for the Beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen on September 24, 2026, the faithful of the Diocese of Erie are invited to learn, pray and participate from home.
Discover more about Archbishop Sheen, learn what beatification means, pray for his eventual canonization and join Catholics around the world in celebrating this significant moment.
LEARN: What is beatification?
Beatification is an important step on the path toward being declared a saint in the Catholic Church.
A cause for canonization begins with an extensive investigation of a person’s life, writings and reputation for holiness. When the Church recognizes that the person lived a life of heroic virtue, he or she may be declared Venerable.
For beatification, ordinarily a miracle attributed to the person’s intercession must then be investigated and approved. Following beatification, the person receives the title Blessed and may be publicly venerated in certain places and circumstances.
Ordinarily, another approved miracle occurring after beatification is required before canonization, when the pope formally declares the person a saint of the universal Church.
The journey toward sainthood:
Servant of God → Venerable → Blessed → Saint
Learn more about the canonization process from the USCCB
DID YOU KNOW? Erie has a Cause for Canonization of its own
As Catholics around the world celebrate this important step in Archbishop Sheen’s journey toward sainthood, the occasion offers a special opportunity for the faithful of the Diocese of Erie to learn about Servant of God Dr. Gertrude A. Barber.
Dr. Barber was an Erie educator and woman of deep faith who devoted her life to children and adults with intellectual disabilities and autism and their families. Her work grew into what is now the Barber National Institute.
Bishop Lawrence T. Persico formally opened her Cause for Beatification and Canonization in December 2019. In 2024, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops voted to affirm advancement of her cause.
Her story reminds us that the Church’s investigation of lives of extraordinary holiness is not something that happens only in distant places or centuries past. A Cause for Canonization is unfolding here in the Diocese of Erie.
Learn about Servant of God Dr. Gertrude A. Barber and her Cause
PRAY: Join the 9-Day Novena
Beginning September 15, Catholics throughout the Diocese of Erie are invited to join in prayer as we prepare for Archbishop Sheen’s Beatification.
Use the Diocese of Peoria’s 9-day prayer journey to pray together leading up to the Beatification and continuing in thanksgiving afterward.
September 15-23
Prepare in prayer for the Beatification.
September 24
Celebrate Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen’s Beatification.
September 25 and on
Continue praying for the next step in his Cause and his eventual canonization.
PRAY: Prayer for Canonization
Beatification is not the end of Archbishop Sheen’s Cause.
Following his beatification, the Church will continue to pray for his eventual canonization. The faithful are encouraged to pray through Archbishop Sheen’s intercession and to continue praying that, if it is God’s will, he may one day be numbered among the saints of the universal Church.
WATCH: Join the Beatification from Home
Thursday, September 24, 2026
Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen will be beatified during a Mass at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri.
The Beatification Mass begins at 2 p.m. Central / 3 p.m. Eastern and will be available by livestream and broadcast, allowing the faithful throughout the Diocese of Erie to participate from home.
Gather with family or friends, watch the celebration and join Catholics across the country in prayer during this historic moment.
[LIVESTREAM INFORMATION – COMING SOON]
LEARN MORE ABOUT ARCHBISHOP SHEEN
Preacher. Author. Teacher. Pioneer of Catholic media.
Long before social media, Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen recognized the power of modern communications to bring the Gospel into people’s homes. Through radio and television, his preaching and teaching reached millions.
His Beatification on September 24 marks an important moment not only in his Cause for Canonization, but in the life of the Church in the United States.
Explore his life, the Beatification celebration, pilgrimage events, educational resources and the latest information from the Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Foundation and the Diocese of Peoria.
Visit the official Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Beatification website
Join us as we celebrate Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen’s Beatification and continue praying for all those whose lives of extraordinary faith and holiness inspire the Church — including our own Servant of God Dr. Gertrude A. Barber.