Frequently Asked Questions

Theological Questions

Beatification is a ceremony at which the title of Blessed is granted to a Servant of God.  Blesseds are recognized by the Catholic Church for their martyrdom or their holiness of life and intercessory power through graces, favors, or miracles that are granted by God.

Relics

It is common practice to visit the graves of our loved ones. People often make a visit to a cemetery on Memorial Day, Veterans’ Day, and especially on All Souls Day. It is also common for people to visit the graves of their relatives on the anniversary of their deaths. This same tradition has been a longstanding practice in the Church. Since the time of St. Stephen, the proto-martyr, when his pious followers took his body for burial (Acts 8:2), the Church has honored the burial places of the saints. They are places of pilgrimage that Christians have visited especially on their feast days.

The body of the Blessed is a first class relic.  A small piece of hair or a small fragment of bone is also a fist class relic.  Items that the Blessed wore or owned are second class relics.  Relics, both first and second class, are prepared so that the faithful who cannot conveniently visit the tomb are able to still approach the relic as a way of spiritually connecting with the Blessed whom they admire and revere.

Liturgical Questions

The Cause for the Beatification and Canonization of the Venerable Servant of God was reopened after the mortal remains were transferred to St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria, Illinois. On July 6, 2019, Pope Francis formally approved the miracle that is attributed to the intercession of Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen.

While the Holy See has approved the Beatification of Fulton Sheen, the date for the Beatification has not been set.

According to the current practice of the Vatican, a Beatification is celebrated in the local diocese where the Cause was instructed.  When the date for Beatification is announced, we look forward to welcoming those who are devoted to the Cause to Peoria for the ceremony.

What to do in Peoria

Prior to the Beatification, it is not permitted to celebrate Mass over the tomb.  Following the Beatification, requests may be submitted to celebrate Mass at the tomb located in the Lady Chapel of the Cathedral.
 
Mass may also be celebrated at the main altar or in the St. Thomas More Chapel.  On Fridays, only the main altar is available.  Masses during regular open hours must be celebrated in the St. Thomas More Chapel.
 
The Lady Chapel at the tomb and the St. Thomas More Chapel can accommodate approximately 30 persons.  Masses for larger groups will be schedule at the main altar.

For more information, please direct all Mass requests to the Director of Divine Worship, Phil Lee (plee@cdop.org), at least one week in advance of the desired date.

Other Questions

The primary website for the Cause of Fulton Sheen is celebratesheen.com.
Email:  info@celebratesheen.com.

Please submit your additional questions to info@celebratesheen.com.

The mailing address for the Beatification and the Foundation is 419 NE Madison Ave, Peoria, IL  61603.  The phone number for Beatification and Foundation questions is 1-877-71SHEEN (1-877-717-4336).

The Sheen Foundation is a non-profit organization as defined by the Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3).
Tax I.D. 37-1411870

© Copyright 2024 Archbishop Fulton Sheen • Design by TBare.com