PEORIA, Ill. — As the Church celebrates the historic Beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, the Diocese of Peoria, in partnership with the Archbishop Fulton J.
Sheen Foundation, will welcome Catholic voices from across the country to the inaugural Sheen Awards, an evening celebrating individuals and organizations who use their platforms to promote the faith, share the Gospel, and inspire others to encounter Jesus Christ.
Taking place Friday, Sept. 25, at 6 p.m. CDT at the Peoria Civic Center, The Sheen Awards will feature a growing list of special guests, including His Excellency, Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, Apostolic Nuncio to the United States, and Jonathan Roumie, the Emmy-nominated actor who portrays Jesus in The Chosen. A VIP reception will begin at 5 p.m. CDT.
Archbishop Caccia's participation underscores the significance of Sheen’s Beatification not only for the Diocese of Peoria, where Sheen was born, ordained a priest, and began his ministry, but also for the Catholic Church throughout the United States and beyond. Jonathon Roumie, whose portrayal of Jesus has introduced millions of viewers to the Gospel through The Chosen, brings a powerful contemporary voice to an evening inspired by Sheen’s pioneering use of radio and television to communicate the Catholic faith. Together, their participation reflects the enduring reach of Sheen’s legacy.
The Sheen Awards celebrate the Church’s enduring call to use the tools of each generation to proclaim the Gospel, adapting to new platforms to share the faith and invite others to encounter Christ. The evening will recognize individuals or organizations whose work in media, evangelization, mission, and liturgy reflects the spirit and enduring mission of Archbishop Sheen, one of the most influential Catholic communicators of the 20th century.
“It is a privilege to welcome the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, to Peoria as a special guest at the inaugural Sheen Awards,” Bishop Tylka said. “As the representative of the Holy Father, Pope Leo, to the Church in the United States, his presence at the Awards and his presiding at a Mass of Thanksgiving on Saturday morning shows the importance of the Beatification of Fulton Sheen for the Church in the United States and around the world.”
Bishop Tylka also expressed his excitement for the participation of Jonathan Roumie.
“I am so excited to announce that Jonathan Roumie will be joining us at the inaugural Sheen Awards,” said Bishop Louis Tylka, Bishop of Peoria. “I have had the good fortune to meet Jonathan a couple of times, and I am impressed by his deep Catholic faith, which he practices each day and which influences his acting in bringing Jesus to life through The Chosen.”
Roumie has become internationally known for his portrayal of Jesus in The Chosen, the widely viewed television series depicting the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. His public witness to his Catholic faith and his use of his platform to evangelize make him a fitting guest for an awards program inspired by Sheen’s own pioneering approach to communicating the Gospel through popular media.
The Sheen Awards will also feature Bishop Robert Barron, Monsignor Roger Landry, David Henrie, Katie Prejean McGrady, Paul Kim, and other distinguished guests. The evening will begin with an exclusive red-carpet experience, followed by dinner and the inaugural show: a live, four-act production centered on themes of communication, missions, encounter, and story. Guests will be part of a live studio audience.
The Red Carpet will be streamed live, and the Sheen Awards will be aired a week later on EWTN, with the program shared through the media worldwide.
A historic celebration
The Sheen Awards are part of a weeklong celebration surrounding the Beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. On Thursday, Sept. 24, thousands of faithful are expected to gather at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis for the historic Beatification Mass, which will begin at 2 p.m.
The daylong celebration will include prayer, Adoration and Confession, the Beatification Expo, the Celebrate Sheen show, and other events leading up to the Mass, including Othonia’s “Who is the Man of the Shroud” exhibit. The Beatification Mass and Celebrate Sheen show will be livestreamed and broadcast.
Following Beatification, the celebration will return to Peoria, Sheen’s hometown, for Masses of Thanksgiving, parish events, and the inaugural Sheen Awards Gala on Friday, Sept. 25. View the full schedule of events.
Tickets available now
Tickets for the Sheen Awards Gala are $250 for general admission, with a limited $1,000 VIP experience also available. Space is limited, and the Gala is expected to draw guests from across the country for this historic celebration.
Tickets are available now at SheenAwards.com.
The inaugural Sheen Awards offer the faithful and the wider community an opportunity to celebrate Archbishop Sheen’s legacy while honoring those who, in his spirit, continue to use media, culture, and their God-given talents to bring the message of Jesus Christ to the world.