Knights of Columbus and their families — including Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly, Supreme Chaplain Archbishop William Lori and other Supreme Officers — were among thousands who watched with joy as Archbishop Fulton Sheen was declared blessed at the Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, Missouri, this afternoon. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, pro-prefect of the Section for First Evangelization and New Particular Churches of the Dicastery for Evangelization and a Knight of Columbus, presided at the Mass of beatification. The internationally broadcast event included the reading of an apostolic letter from Pope Leo XIV declaring Sheen blessed and directing his feast to be observed on Dec. 9, the anniversary of his death. A Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus and an internationally acclaimed media personality, Archbishop Sheen spoke with clarity and warmth on contemporary issues, challenging American Catholics to be evangelists for Christ. In his homily, Cardinal Tagle identified the source of Sheen’s holiness as his deep relationship with Christ. “It is for being a zealous and creative evangelizer and advocate for mission that Fulton Sheen is called blessed — or ‘fortunate’ or ‘happy,’” the cardinal said. “The missionary evangelizer is truly blessed, fortunate and happy because of the gift of communion with Jesus. That is the root of happiness.”

Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly shares an unforgettable lesson in compassion from the life of Archbishop Fulton Sheen. On this historic day of Sheen's Beatification, we look back at the moment he overcame fear to embrace a disfigured leper as a brother in Christ. May his courage and conviction inspire Knights everywhere to see Christ in others and respond with compassionate service.