Rodgers Instruments Helps Bring Sacred Music to Historic Fulton J. Sheen Beatification Mass
On September 24, 2026, approximately 50,000 people gathered at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis for the historic Beatification Mass of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.
Rodgers Instruments was honored to play a role in the celebration, working in partnership with Chapel Music to provide instruments supporting the music of the Mass and its preparations.
At the center of the main liturgy was a three-manual Rodgers Infinity 367, played by organist Monty Bennett. A Rodgers American Series 342, paired with a custom five-channel external audio system, supported rehearsals as musicians prepared for the celebration.
Music for a Historic Celebration
Transforming The Dome at America’s Center into a setting for sacred liturgy required months of preparation and the collaboration of musicians, clergy, organizers, technicians and volunteers.
The scale of the gathering was extraordinary. Pilgrims traveled to St. Louis from nearly every U.S. state and countries around the world, joined by bishops, more than 1,000 priests, religious, seminarians and deacons for the celebration.
Presiding over the Mass was Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, representing Pope Leo XIV, as the Church formally declared Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen “Blessed.”
Throughout the celebration, sacred music helped bring together the thousands gathered inside the Dome, with the Rodgers Infinity 367 supporting the organists, choir, orchestra and congregation in the expansive space.
An Instrument with a Connection to Sheen
The Infinity 367 used for the Mass also included several details created specifically in honor of Blessed Fulton Sheen.
In developing the instrument, Bennett looked to the organ at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Peoria, Illinois — the cathedral where Sheen was ordained to the priesthood — for inspiration.
Among the personalized details was a powerful Chamade voice named the “Sheen Trumpet,” a musical tribute to Sheen’s unmistakable voice and his extraordinary ability to communicate the faith.
Another detail honored Sheen’s well-known devotion to the Blessed Mother. A Choir Tuba was named in honor of Mary and its stop control engraved in blue rather than the red traditionally associated with reed stops.
These details connected the instrument not only to the occasion of Sheen’s beatification, but also to the musical and spiritual history that surrounded his life.
From Hillsboro to St. Louis — and Beyond
The Beatification Mass represented one chapter in the life of this Infinity 367.
Before arriving in St. Louis, the instrument was prepared by the Rodgers team in Hillsboro, Oregon, in collaboration with Chapel Music and Bennett for the unique musical demands of the celebration.
Following the Mass, the Infinity 367 begins the next stage of its journey to its permanent home at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in South Carolina, where Bennett serves as Director of Sacred Music and Principal Organist.
There, the instrument that helped support the music of one of the largest Catholic gatherings in the United States in 2026 will continue serving worship week after week.
Grateful to Be Part of the Celebration
Rodgers Instruments extends its gratitude to Chapel Music, Monty Bennett, the musicians and music teams, and everyone whose work helped bring the Beatification Mass together.
For Rodgers, being part of the celebration was about more than providing an instrument. It was an opportunity to support the musicians whose work helped fill an extraordinary space with sacred music on a day that will be remembered for generations.
We are honored that Rodgers instruments could play a part in celebrating the life and legacy of Blessed Fulton J. Sheen.
Learn More
Read the original Beatification Mass announcement →
Explore the Rodgers Infinity 367 →
In the News
Aleteia also explored the story behind the Rodgers Infinity 367 and the special musical details created in honor of Blessed Fulton J. Sheen.
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