As I mentioned in my Hey Deacon article, I was among 50,000 who traveled to The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis on September 24, 2026, for the beatification Mass of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. The immense crowd, representing almost every U.S. state and several countries including Italy, Poland, and Brazil, reflected the global reach of Sheen’s preaching and the deep affection so many hold for him.

The Church’s presence was striking. Close to 90 bishops, about 1,000 priests, 1,600 men and women religious, and nearly 250 deacons joined the faithful in prayer. Families, parish groups, young adults, and longtime admirers filled the arena with many carrying rosaries or Sheen’s books, eager to witness this long‑awaited moment. Before the Mass started, many of the faithful participated in the Sacrament of Reconciliation and/or spent time in Eucharistic Adoration.

The liturgy was marked by beauty and solemnity. A procession of hundreds of clergy entered wearing vestments embroidered with “JMJ” (Jesus, Mary, Joseph), a beloved symbol Sheen wrote atop every page of his notes. Choirs and orchestra filled the Dome with hymns that lifted hearts and gave the vast space a sense of reverent unity. The beatification decree, proclaimed between the Penitential Rite and the Gloria, formally declared Sheen “Blessed,” affirming his presence in heaven as worthy of belief.

Several notable witnesses added depth to the celebration. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, serving as papal delegate, presided at the Mass and read the apostolic letter from Pope Leo XIV. Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, the apostolic nuncio, concelebrated alongside dozens of bishops. Archbishop Timothy Dolan offered remarks on behalf of the Archdiocese of New York. Paul Cunningham, Sheen’s great‑nephew, read a brief biography during the liturgy. And in a particularly moving moment, James Engstrom, whose miraculous healing as an infant was accepted as the miracle for Sheen’s beatification, helped present a relic from Sheen’s remains.

Yet the most powerful witness came from the faithful themselves. Tens of thousands stood together in prayer, gratitude, and joy, revealing that Sheen’s mission continues to bear fruit. Their devotion testified that his call to bring souls to Christ remains alive, inspiring believers today to evangelize with courage and love. Here are a few pictures from the event. (Bishop Rice, 3^rd pic, headshot next to tabernacle.)