ROCHESTER — Nearly 60 years since he led the Diocese of Rochester, Fulton J. Sheen can still draw quite a crowd.
Proof of his enduring popularity was demonstrated by an overflow congregation Sept. 29 at Sacred Heart Cathedral. The occasion: Blessed Sheen’s permanent return to Rochester, in the form of a first-class relic.
A festive, 90-minute Mass celebrated the relic’s transfer to Rochester from Blessed Sheen’s native Diocese of Peoria, Ill. The liturgy took place five days after Blessed Sheen — who served as Rochester’s sixth bishop from December 1966 to October 1969 — was beatified in St. Louis, Mo.
Standing near the cathedral’s center doors to begin the Sept. 29 Mass, Peoria Bishop Louis Tylka formally presented the relic to Rochester’s Bishop John S. Bonnici. Housed in a new, sparkling reliquary, the relic — a small portion of Blessed Sheen’s remains — was then carried forward in a procession.
“With joy, we welcome Blessed Fulton J. Sheen back to Rochester, his cathedral,” Bishop Bonnici exclaimed upon receiving the relic, touching off applause.
Rochester bishop calls Blessed Fulton Sheen’s beatification events ‘absolutely glorious’
Bishop Bonnici was principal celebrant for the Sept. 29 liturgy, with Bishop Tylka serving as a concelebrant as well as the homilist. The previous week, both bishops also had been major participants in beatification events in St. Louis and the Peoria Diocese, which continues to lead the cause for Blessed Sheen’s canonization.
“The last few days have been absolutely glorious,” Bishop Bonnici said near the conclusion of the Sept. 29 Mass.
Also serving as concelebrants for the liturgy were Bishop Emeritus Salvatore R. Matano, who led the Rochester Diocese from 2014-26; Abbot Gerard D’Souza, OCSO, head of the Abbey of the Genesee monastery in Livingston County; and the four surviving Diocese of Rochester priests who were ordained by Bishop Sheen: Fathers Frank Lioi (1967), Robert Beligotti (1968), James Schwartz (1968) and William Endres (1969).
Though not in attendance due to their cloistered status, Rochester’s Discalced Carmelite sisters also played a key role in the Mass. They, along with volunteers from several diocesan parishes, made several hundred World Mission Rosaries that were distributed after Mass. The same group also made 1,000-plus rosaries to be handed out at Blessed Sheen’s beatification in St. Louis. In addition, the Carmelite nuns — whose monastery is located in Pittsford — helped to place Blessed Sheen’s relic in its reliquary earlier on Sept. 29.
When the Mass ended, a long line of worshipers formed in the cathedral to kneel before the relic and venerate it. Meanwhile, in the narthex, several glass cases displayed Bishop Sheen’s books, documents, photographs and vestments. The display cases will remain available for viewing through Oct. 4 during office hours and weekly Masses.
The relic will now be taken to special liturgies at several diocesan parishes and colleges around the diocese between Oct. 1 and Nov. 4. It will then return to Sacred Heart Cathedral for further viewing and veneration as part of a permanent memorial to Blessed Sheen. Father Aaron Kelly, priest-secretary to Bishop Bonnici, said it is hoped that the memorial will be ready by Christmas.
Peoria bishop implores faithful toward renewed inspiration through Blessed Sheen focus
The three-inch relic of Blessed Sheen — who is entombed at Peoria’s Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception — is from a bone of his left hand. As an authentic part of a saint’s or blessed’s body, it is considered by the Catholic Church as the highest classification of relic.
Following his appearance in Rochester, Bishop Tylka was next due to travel to New York City to present another relic to the Archdiocese of New York Oct. 1. Blessed Sheen served as an archdiocesan auxiliary bishop from 1951-66 before coming to Rochester. The archdiocese also is where he served as national director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith and recorded the radio and television shows that gained him worldwide fame.
With his beatification, this iconic figure with significant Rochester ties is now one step from sainthood. Bishop Tylka ended his Sept. 29 homily by stressing that the current focus on Blessed Sheen should be regarded not as a one-time event, but as a renewed inspiration to spread God’s love and transform the world.
“What is being asked of you, what is Sheen asking you to do? What is the church calling you to do? What is God asking of your life?” Bishop Tylka remarked.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Sept. 29 Mass is available for viewing at CatholicCourier.com and youtube.com/catholiccourier.
Tags: Bishop John S. Bonnici, Blessed Fulton J. Sheen, Feast Days & Saints
