A Son of Central Illinois
Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen was born on May 8, 1895, in El Paso, Illinois — a small town in the heart of Central Illinois, the same region where Belén Studios calls home. He was ordained a priest in 1919, earned a doctorate in philosophy from the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium, and went on to become one of the most recognized Catholic voices of the 20th century.
Sheen served as a bishop and later as an archbishop, but he is perhaps best remembered for his extraordinary gift for communication. His television program, Life Is Worth Living, drew audiences of up to 30 million viewers in the 1950s — a remarkable feat for any religious figure, let alone a Catholic bishop. He won an Emmy Award in 1952, famously thanking his writers: "Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John."
He died on December 9, 1979, and is buried at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Peoria, Illinois, the diocese of his birth, in connection with his beatification.
What Is a Beatification?
In the Catholic Church, beatification is the third of four steps on the path to sainthood. It is a formal declaration by the Pope that a deceased person has lived a life of heroic virtue and is worthy of public veneration — typically within a specific region or religious community.
The steps are:
- Servant of God — The cause for canonization is opened.
- Venerable — The Pope declares the person lived a life of heroic virtue.
- Blessed (Beatification) — A verified miracle attributed to the candidate's intercession is confirmed, and the Church permits public veneration.
- Saint (Canonization) — A second miracle is confirmed, and the person is declared a saint for the universal Church.
Archbishop Sheen's cause for canonization was opened in 2002. He was declared Venerable in 2012. After years of careful investigation, a miracle attributed to his intercession was approved — paving the way for his beatification.
September 24, 2026: A Historic Day
The beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen is scheduled for September 24, 2026, in St. Louis, Missouri. This ceremony will be a landmark moment for American Catholics and for the universal Church, marking the first step toward Sheen potentially becoming the first American-born male saint.
The Diocese of Peoria is expected to host pilgrims from across the country and around the world. The choice of St. Louis as the site for the Beatification was driven by the desire to include the largest number of people possible. The Dome at America's Center hosted the Papal visit of Pope St. John Paul II in 1999 with more than 100,000 people present. Since St. Louis is within reasonable driving distance from Peoria, this was seen as an ideal way of accommodating the many people throughout the United States, and even around the world, who have looked forward to sharing in the joy of this celebration. It will be a celebration of faith, legacy, and the enduring power of one man's witness to the Gospel.
Belén Studios and the Sheen Legacy
Belén Studios is a family-run Catholic business rooted in Central Illinois — the same land that shaped Archbishop Sheen. For us, this beatification is not just a historical event; it is personal. We grew up in the shadow of his legacy, in a region that remembers him not as a television personality, but as a shepherd, a teacher, and a man of deep prayer.
We believe in what we call visual homilies — wearable art and commemorative pieces that carry the weight of faith and story. When the beatification was announced, we knew we had to respond with something worthy of the moment.
The +FJS Signature Collection
Our +FJS Signature Collection was designed specifically to commemorate Archbishop Sheen's beatification. Each piece carries the +FJS mark — a nod to the traditional Catholic practice of signing letters with a cross (+) followed by one's initials, as bishops and clergy have done for centuries.
The collection includes hoodies, sweatshirts, tees, and hats — all crafted with the premium, editorial aesthetic that defines Belén Studios. These are not novelty items. They are keepsakes designed to be worn on pilgrimage, at the beatification ceremony, and for years to come as a reminder of a man who gave his life to bringing souls to God.
The +JMJ+ Collection
Our +JMJ+ Collection carries a symbol with deep roots in Catholic tradition. JMJ stands for Jesus, Mary, and Joseph — the Holy Family. It was a common inscription used by saints and spiritual writers to dedicate their work to the Holy Family before beginning to write.
Archbishop Sheen had a profound devotion to Our Lady, spending an hour before the Blessed Sacrament every day of his priestly life. The +JMJ+ Collection honors that spirit of consecrated devotion — a reminder that every ordinary moment can be offered to God.
Order Before August 31
If you are planning to attend the beatification or want to ensure your commemorative pieces arrive in time, please note our bulk order deadline of August 31, 2026. Parish groups, pilgrimage organizers, and families are welcome to reach out for bulk ordering options.
Browse the Collections
Whether you are a lifelong devotee of Archbishop Sheen, a pilgrim preparing for September 24, or simply someone who believes that faith deserves to be worn with pride — we invite you to explore what we have created in his honor.
This is our small offering to a great man. Blessed Fulton Sheen, pray for us.
