All are Invited to Join the Church in Celebrating a Historic Moment

PEORIA — Sometime the week of June 22, 2026, Catholics from across the Diocese of Peoria, the United States, and around the world will be able to reserve tickets for the Mass of Beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen and many of the events surrounding this historic celebration.

Tickets will be available through the Archbishop Fulton Sheen Foundation website, celebratesheen.com.

The Beatification of Archbishop Fulton Sheen is a historic moment for the Diocese of Peoria, and the Church throughout the United States and around the world. The Mass of Beatification will take place on September 24, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri. The Dome will open early for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and Eucharistic Adoration, providing pilgrims an opportunity to prepare spiritually for this sacred celebration. Beginning later that morning, a special pre-Beatification program will feature a variety of Catholic speakers and musicians. 

While the Beatification Mass will be the centerpiece of these celebrations, it is only one part of what Bishop Louis Tylka hopes will be a transformative pilgrimage experience for countless people. From September 15–26, 2026, pilgrims will have the opportunity to participate in a rich series of prayerful, educational, and celebratory events, including Holy Hours, Masses of Thanksgiving, visits to Archbishop Sheen’s tomb, and the inaugural Sheen Awards in Peoria, Illinois.

Together, these events form the official Sheen Pilgrimage—an opportunity to walk in the footsteps of one of the Church’s greatest evangelizers while reflecting on his life, legacy, and missionary witness.

As tickets become available, the Bishop encourages everyone to begin considering how they can make this historic moment meaningful in their own lives. I invite you to review the schedule, prayerfully discern which events you would like to attend, and begin planning your pilgrimage now. I strongly encourage pilgrims to make the journey to both Peoria and St. Louis so they can fully experience the breadth and beauty of this grace-filled time in the life of the Church. Each event has been designed to help us encounter Jesus Christ more deeply through the witness of Archbishop Sheen.

Because of the historic significance of this event and the anticipated attendance from across the nation and around the world, advance ticket registration will be required for the Beatification Mass and select events.

In addition to the Beatification Mass itself, pilgrims will have the opportunity to participate in a rich series of prayerful, educational, and celebratory events from September 15–26, 2026. These include Masses of Thanksgiving, visits to Archbishop Fulton Sheen’s tomb, and the inaugural Sheen Awards, all in Peoria, IL. Together, these events form the official Sheen Pilgrimage: a unique opportunity to walk in the footsteps of one of the Church’s greatest evangelizers while honoring his life, legacy, and missionary witness. All are encouraged to make a pilgrimage to both Peoria and St. Louis to fully experience this historic and grace-filled moment in the life of the Church.

Because of the anticipated attendance and the limited capacity of certain venues, advance registration will be required.

While many pilgrims will travel to Peoria and St. Louis for the celebrations, organizers recognize that not everyone will be able to attend in person. Livestream opportunities and additional resources will be made available to help Catholics participate from their homes, parishes, schools, and communities.

For Bishop Tylka, however, the Beatification represents more than a single day of celebration.

“Archbishop Sheen spent his life leading people to Jesus Christ,” he said. “As we prepare for his Beatification, we are invited not only to honor his legacy but to ask ourselves how we are responding to God’s call in our own lives. His witness continues to challenge and inspire us to pursue holiness, deepen our faith, and share the Gospel with courage.”

The Diocese of Peoria encourages all to begin making plans now to participate in this historic occasion and to continue praying for the success of the Beatification celebrations.