Q: Hi Fr Paul,
Greetings from the UK and many thanks for what you do to help us all better participate in Christ’s Eucharistic Sacrifice.
I am very much looking forward to the forthcoming Beatification of Fulton J. Sheen! Despite all my research I can’t see a way for a Priest in England and Wales to celebrate a Mass of Blessed Fulton J. Sheen. I hope I am wrong, especially given Sheen was Titular Archbishop of Newport (Wales) and had many associations with England, including, St Patrick’s, Soho. Am I correct in my assertion? I sincerely hope not!
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A: My understanding matches yours. After a canonization, the new saint is given a day on the calendar on which any priest may celebrate a Mass honoring his or her memory, as long as no day of higher rank on the calendar conflicts (GIRM 355b). The same privilege does not happen after a beatification.
However, a conference of bishops or a diocese may petition the Holy See requesting the addition of the new Blessed on the local calendar. If the request is granted, then such a Mass may be celebrated.
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