Diocese of Gary

ST. LOUIS – Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen – the 20th-century American theologian, evangelizer, Catholic communications pioneer, teacher and preacher – is now Blessed Fulton Sheen.

Archbishop Sheen's beatification Mass took place Sept. 24 at The Dome at America's Center in St. Louis. The Mass drew approximately 50,000 attendees and among those in attendance were members of the Diocese of Gary who felt called to make the journey to participate in this historic moment in the life of the Church.

Father Declan McNicholas, director of missionary discipleship and evangelization for the Diocese of Gary, led a pilgrimage from Northwest Indiana to the beatification. He described the atmosphere for the event as “absolutely amazing.” Celebrating Mass with more than 50,000 people, including over 1,000 priests, he said, was one “of the coolest feelings in the world.” He felt Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Pope Leo XIV’s representative at the Mass, gave a  homily that was beautiful, as was every aspect of the Mass.

“It was a tremendous joy to be there,” Father McNicholas said. “My favorite part was seeing the Church come together, young and old alike. There were people who grew up watching Archbishop Sheen on television alongside so many young adults and young people who have rediscovered him and come to love Blessed Fulton Sheen in recent years. Seeing those generations gathered together to celebrate his beatification was beautiful. It was a powerful reminder of how his witness continues to touch hearts across generations.”

Archbishop Sheen famously wrote "JMJ" at the top of his personal notes, manuscripts, letters and chalkboard outlines during his television broadcasts. It represented his lifelong devotion to Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph, placing his daily work and writing under their protection. During the beatification Mass, the participating priests wore vestments specifically embroidered with “JMJ” to honor his signature dedication. Bishop Robert J. McClory, who traveled to join fellow bishops and priests in the celebration, likewise donned the vestment during the service.

“This was a day of great celebration for the Church in the United States, and for our efforts to be missionary disciples in the Diocese of Gary,” said Bishop McClory. “It’s wonderful that we had a full busload of pilgrims coming to be inspired.”

The bishop noted that Blessed Fulton Sheen was one of the first to recognize the impact that new forms of media could have in spreading the Gospel, adding that he used television and every means possible to spread the saving news of Jesus Christ.

“In an era when many people didn’t understand or even accept Catholics, he was a shining light,” Bishop McClory said. “He was able to use engaging examples, persuasive reasoning, and the truth of the Gospel to bring many souls to Christ and to inspire Catholics in the United States and worldwide.”

Bishop McClory traveled with Father Will O’Donnell, associate pastor at St. Paul in Valparaiso, to the beatification, meeting several local groups of faithful along the way. At one rest stop they happened upon the busloads of those from St. Francis de Sales Seminary including three Diocese of Gary seminarians who attend there. They were also able to connect with Father O’Donnell’s family who have a strong devotion to Blessed Fulton Sheen.

Father O’Donnell’s dad, Dale O’Donnell, explained that his mother-in-law, the late Gerry Paskis, was a mother figure to him and “was truly a living example of what it means to live out the Catholic faith.” His wife, Amy and her two brothers grew up listening to Archbishop Sheen's Holy Week with their mom on cassette tapes. The couple also started listening to them while they were dating.

“Archbishop Sheen's approach to sharing Jesus and the Blessed Mother with Catholics and non-Catholics was so inspiring,” Dale O’Donnell said. “Archbishop Sheen spoke the Gospel so boldly and called us to a greater devotion and love to our Lord, especially through the Eucharist. He had such a unique way of communicating that resonated with us.”

After Dale and Amy O’Donnell started having children, they would play the same recordings by the archbishop to their five children.

“Archbishop Sheen was such a prolific writer as well,” Dale O’Donnell said, “that we have read and loved just about every book he has written because they have brought us closer to our faith and Jesus Christ.”  

Archbishop Sheen has been such an important part of their lives that the O’Donnell family closely followed his cause for sainthood,  praying that one day he would be recognized as a saint. When it was announced that his beatification was being held in St. Louis, they knew in their hearts they had to be there to celebrate that beautiful moment and the Catholic faith.

As mentioned previously, their son, Father William O'Donnell, who was ordained in June, was accompanying Bishop McClory to the beatification, so Dale O’Donnell said that made being with his wife, daughter, Grace Smail, and first grandson, Peter Fulton, who turns one this October, at the event even more special.

Dale O’Donnell shared that his daughter, Grace, and her husband, Gabe, spent a lot of time thinking of names for their firstborn son. They decided on the name Peter, as in the apostle, and were trying to decide on a middle name that would have some special meaning with a family connection. With Grace's grandmother and Archbishop Sheen in mind, she suggested the name Fulton to her husband. He was thrilled at the choice because he is an avid reader and loved Archbishop Sheen's writings.

As the pregnancy continued, their devotion to Archbishop Sheen grew and they prayed for Peter through his intercession. They also decided to read more about the archbishop. It was at that time, they discovered that Archbishop Sheen's given name was Peter.

“Having the opportunity to take Peter Fulton with us is something that we will cherish for the rest of our lives, and we look forward to telling him stories about the beatification,” Dale O’Donnell said.