Thursday was a day of great grace for our country and the world as we celebrate this incredible event. We’re celebrating the first-ever bishop born in America to be beatified: Blessed Fulton Sheen. He comes from the same home state as our Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV. He was a native of El Paso, Illinois, and a priest of the Diocese of Peoria, Illinois.
As we celebrate Blessed Fulton Sheen, the message is simple: go out and make disciples of all the nations.
He was an incredible evangelizer who truly went all over the world. He raised millions of dollars to support the missions. And he went into those new spaces of radio and television to bring the Gospel literally to millions of people.
His reach is still felt today. At Mass, I was seated next to a priest from India. I asked him, “Father, is Fulton Sheen known in India?” He said, “Very well known.” I also met priests who came in from Poland just for this event. This is an event for our country and the world to celebrate and to be inspired.
Now it’s our turn, our call, to share the Good News.
Blessed Fulton Sheen, pray for us.