(OSV News) — Ahead of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen’s September 24 beatification, the Diocese of Peoria, Illinois, recently released a schedule of events, inviting those who plan to travel to The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri, for the beatification to “go deeper” and “transform your trip into a sacred journey.”
“The Sheen Pilgrimage is a spiritual experience centered around prayer, reflection, and celebration,” the diocese said. “Beginning in Peoria, Ill., on September 15, this pilgrimage includes the anniversary of Sheen’s ordination, the historic Beatification Mass, and culminates in celebratory Masses and the Sheen Award Gala.”
The schedule begins with a nine-day novena of holy hours at 7 p.m. every evening at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Peoria from September 15-23, and a Sunday, September 20, Anniversary Mass of Sheen’s Ordination at the cathedral at 3 p.m., which requires tickets.
The festivities will continue in St. Louis with Vespers at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis at 5 p.m. on September 23, also requiring tickets.
Beatification day events in St. Louis
On the day of the beatification, there will be an expo for attendees at The Dome at America’s Center from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., adoration and confession available at 9 a.m., and a pre-Mass show at 10 a.m.
“With anticipation of a great number of people wanting to participate, we chose (The Dome) because of availability, being indoors, and the close proximity to the Diocese of Peoria,” Bishop Tylka said March 25 when details of the beatification were announced.
Following the 2 p.m. Beatification Mass, there will be veneration of a relic of Sheen from 4 to 6 p.m.
Masses of Thanksgiving and various parish talks will take place in the Diocese of Peoria on September 25, and the Sheen Award Gala, a ticketed event, will get underway at Peoria Civic Center at 6 p.m. that evening.
Masses of Thanksgiving, including a Byzantine Rite Mass of Thanksgiving, will also be celebrated at the Cathedral of St. Mary in Peoria on September 26.
The diocese has more information and tickets for the events that require them at celebratesheen.com.
“Whether you come for a day or the entire week,” the diocese said, “this is an opportunity to walk in the footsteps of a remarkable spiritual leader and grow in faith alongside pilgrims from around the world.”