PEORIA, Ill. — The Vatican announced on Monday that Pope Francis has called for Archbishop Fulton Sheen’s beatification.
Bishop Daniel Jenky of the Diocese of Peoria said that the beatification will take place at 10 a.m. December 21 at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Peoria.
“Confirmation of Sheen’s Beatification date was received with enthusiasm, and plans for the Beatification are already underway,” according to a release by the Diocese of Peoria.
The Cathedral is the current resting place for Sheen, who is entombed in a marble vault next to the altar where he was ordained 100 years ago on September 20, 1919.
Sheen’s remains were transferred from the Archdiocese of New York to Peoria at the end of June after three years of litigation.
In 2010, Sheen helped save a newborn infant whose heart had stopped beating. The baby had no pulse for over an hour, but the family prayed for Sheen to intercede for their child. Moments before a doctor was about to declare the infant dead, the heartbeat returned and the baby started to breathe again.
The Peoria Diocese began analyzing the miracle in 2011, presenting its findings to the Vatican that same year.
Further information regarding the Beatification is expected to be released in the next few days.
Information about the Cause for Beatification of Fulton Sheen can be found HERE.
