Rosemont College joins Catholics throughout the United States and around the world in celebrating the beatification of Bishop Fulton Sheen on September 24, 2026, in St. Louis, Missouri. This historic occasion marks an important moment for the Catholic Church in the United States: Sheen will become the first American born bishop to be beatified. Following the ceremony, he will be known as Blessed Fulton J. Sheen.

For Rosemont, the celebration holds special meaning. Bishop Fulton Sheen was not only one of the most prominent Catholic voices of the twentieth century, but also a good friend of Rosemont College and a consistent presence on campus for decades.

A Long Friendship with Rosemont

Bishop Fulton Sheen first visited Rosemont College in 1928 as a young priest and returned nearly every year for decades. He held the institution in high regard, famously describing Rosemont as “the finest girls’ college in the United States.” The bishop spoke at more than 30 graduations at Rosemont between 1930 and 1970.

Beyond commencement, Sheen served on campus as a retreat director and supported philanthropic efforts, occasionally arranging scholarships for young women. He believed the moral health of the nation relied in part on the formation of its women, stating that “the history of civilization could actually be written in terms of the level of its women.” Three of Bishop Fulton's nieces attended Rosemont College. Two graduated, while the third left the college to get married.

The Chapel Dedication & Campus Presence

One of the most lasting ties between Bishop Fulton Sheen and Rosemont is the dedication of the College Chapel. On January 9, 1941, he delivered the homily at the Chapel’s dedication—an event that remains part of Rosemont’s spiritual history. His presence that day reflected the depth of his relationship with the College and its community.

For generations of students, faculty, staff, and alumni, his voice in the Chapel and his recurring presence at major campus moments became part of Rosemont’s story.

A National Voice for Faith & Education

Born on May 8, 1895, in El Paso, Illinois, Fulton J. Sheen was ordained a priest in 1919. He pursued advanced studies in theology and philosophy and became a respected teacher, author, preacher, and evangelist. He began teaching at The Catholic University of America in 1928. He gained national attention through radio beginning in 1930 with The Catholic Hour, which eventually reached millions of listeners.

His influence expanded dramatically with television. Starting in 1951, his weekly program Life Is Worth Living brought Catholic teaching into homes across the country and, at its height, reached an estimated 30 million viewers. Sheen was consecrated a bishop in 1951, later served as Bishop of Rochester, New York, and then as Titular Archbishop of Newport, Wales. He died in New York on December 9, 1979, at the age of 84.

Celebrating Beatification at Rosemont

As the Church celebrates the beatification of Bishop Fulton Sheen, Rosemont also honors its own connection to this remarkable Catholic educator and evangelist. Michelle Moravec, PhD, in conjunction with students in her public history course Henry Bickhardt, Jux Cuthbertson, and Bryce Simon curated a Fulton Sheen exhibit on display at the Gertrude Kistler Library to coincide with the 2:00pm September 24, 2026, Beatification Mass.

For the Rosemont community, the soon to be Blessed Fulton J. Sheen remains part of the College’s history—a friend whose presence helped mark important moments in campus life. We are grateful for these memories as we join in celebrating his beatification.