Illinois-born Archbishop Fulton Sheen Moves Closer to Sainthood

Vatican approves beatification for pioneering televangelist known as 'America's Bishop'

Apr. 6, 2026 at 1:35am

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The Vatican has cleared the way for the beatification of Illinois-born Archbishop Fulton Sheen, who built a national following through his popular radio and television programs in the 1950s and 1960s. The beatification is centered on a reported miracle involving the 2010 birth of an Illinois boy, James Fulton, who was revived after being born without a pulse.

Why it matters

Sheen's potential sainthood represents a significant milestone for the Catholic Church in the United States, as he would be the first American-born male to be beatified. His rise to sainthood also highlights the enduring impact of his pioneering work in bringing the faith to the masses through early television.

The details

In 2010, Bonnie Engstrom's son James was born without a pulse after a knot in his umbilical cord cut off his oxygen supply. Doctors tried for over an hour to restart his heart, but it was only after Engstrom repeatedly invoked Sheen's name that James' heart began beating again and never stopped. The Vatican later recognized this as a miracle attributed to Sheen, paving the way for his beatification.

  • In 2010, James Fulton Engstrom was born without a pulse.
  • After 61 minutes, James' heart started beating again.
  • The Vatican later recognized this as a miracle tied to Sheen.
  • The beatification Mass for Archbishop Fulton Sheen is set for September 24, 2026 in St. Louis, Missouri.

The players

Archbishop Fulton Sheen

An Illinois-born Catholic prelate who built a national following through his popular radio and television programs in the 1950s and 1960s, earning him the nickname 'America's Bishop'.

Bonnie Engstrom

The mother of James Fulton Engstrom, whose miraculous revival after being born without a pulse in 2010 has been recognized by the Vatican as paving the way for Sheen's beatification.

James Fulton Engstrom

A healthy 15-year-old boy whose revival after being born without a pulse for over an hour in 2010 has been recognized by the Vatican as a miracle attributed to Archbishop Fulton Sheen.

Bishop Louis Tylka

The Bishop of the Diocese of Peoria, Illinois, who has praised Sheen's ability to connect with modern audiences and bring the faith to the masses through early television.

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What they’re saying

“If Fulton Sheen were alive today, you would find him on TikTok, and you would find him on Instagram, and you would find him on all the social media podcasts, because that's what he wanted to do.”

— Bishop Louis Tylka, Bishop of the Diocese of Peoria

“I just trusted that Fulton Sheen was praying for us.”

— Bonnie Engstrom

“I do remember very clearly in my head repeating Fulton Sheen's name over and over and over again. I kind of think it was like my cry for help.”

— Bonnie Engstrom

What’s next

The beatification Mass for Archbishop Fulton Sheen is set for September 24, 2026 in St. Louis, Missouri. The location was chosen to accommodate the anticipated large crowds.

The takeaway

Sheen's potential sainthood represents a significant milestone for the Catholic Church in the United States, as he would be the first American-born male to be beatified. His rise to sainthood also highlights the enduring impact of his pioneering work in bringing the faith to the masses through early television, a legacy that continues to inspire new generations of Catholics.