Friars Hosted Holy Hour at St. Louis Cathedral
The event at the Old Cathedral prepared local congregants for the beatification of Archbishop Fulton Sheen.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Catholicism
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Eleven Franciscan Friars of the Renewal led a Holy Hour at the Basilica of St. Louis, King of France, to honor Archbishop Fulton Sheen. The service included eucharistic adoration, praise, and worship.
Why it matters
The gathering served as a spiritual preparation for the formal beatification ceremony of Archbishop Fulton Sheen. The event highlighted the enduring local connection to the Archbishop, who had previously ordained Father Andrew Apostoli.
The Holy Hour featured 11 Franciscan Friars of the Renewal and attracted attendees including a group of four friends from Nashville. The event occurred as the Old Cathedral reached its maximum capacity.
The players
Franciscan Friars of the Renewal
This religious order is based in the Bronx and Harlem and focuses on service to the poor and evangelization.
Archbishop Fulton Sheen
He was a prominent American Catholic bishop and media personality known for his influential television programs.
Saint Louis University
This is a private Jesuit research university located in St. Louis, Missouri.
Father Andrew Apostoli
He was a founding member of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal who was ordained by Archbishop Fulton Sheen.
The details
The Holy Hour featured eucharistic adoration, confession, and music, drawing a large crowd to the downtown St. Louis landmark. Earlier in the day, students from Saint Louis University completed a walking pilgrimage from their campus to the cathedral to join the service.
Timeline
A walking pilgrimage and the Holy Hour took place on September 23, 2026.
Archbishop Fulton Sheen was declared blessed on September 24, 2026.
Culture Shift
The beatification of Archbishop Fulton Sheen marks a significant milestone in the history of American Catholic sainthood causes, moving the Archbishop closer to canonization. This event reflects a broader trend of increased public interest in the lives of 20th-century American religious figures.
Residents and pilgrims attending the event experienced downtown traffic and increased foot congestion near the Old Cathedral due to the walking pilgrimage. These gatherings often require attendees to arrive early to secure space during high-capacity religious observances.
The takeaway
The events in St. Louis highlight how national religious milestones are observed through dedicated local prayer and community pilgrimage. Followers often use these times of transition to deepen their engagement with regional faith traditions and historical religious legacies.
Further reading
For more information on the history and liturgical life of the archdiocese, visit the Catholicism section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by St. Louis Review.
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