The incredible story behind Blessed Sheen’s official portrait
Daprato Rigali Studios created the official portrait of Blessed Fulton Sheen, unveiled at his beatification Mass. Lead artist Plamen Petrov developed the portrait with input from Bishop Lou Tylka and the planning committee, incorporating details such as Sheen’s chalk, the JMJ inscription, and his cross. Studio artisans also made the altar, ambo, and pedestal for Sheen’s relics for the beatification celebration. John Rigali discusses the project and a wider renewed interest in traditional Catholic art and church design.
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Blessed Fulton Sheen’s official portrait was created by Chicago’s Daprato Rigali Studios for his beatification, alongside temporary liturgical furnishings for the Mass. The project drew on the studio’s long experience in Catholic art and restoration, as its leaders say they are seeing renewed interest in traditional church design. 1
Bishop Lou Tylka of Peoria and the beatification planning committee commissioned the portrait. In a February meeting, they identified details they wanted included: chalk in Sheen’s hand, the letters “JMJ” beside him, and his cross, which Tylka wore at the Mass. 1
Lead artist Plamen Petrov first prepared a pencil sketch using reference images. After the sketch was approved, the painting went through four further approval phases before it was delivered to the cathedral in mid-July; it was unveiled at the beatification Mass. 1
The studio also made the altar, ambo and relic pedestal. The pieces used lightweight travertine and Rojo Alicante columns so the crew could transport and install them; the altar was designed with an image of the Last Supper. The studio also produced a printed image of the portrait for the ceremony. 1
Daprato Rigali began in Chicago in 1860. John Rigali said his great-grandfather, who immigrated from Italy, became the company’s manager and later its owner in 1895, when it moved into ecclesiastical art, including stained glass, marble work, murals, decorative painting and gilding. The company is now run by the fourth generation of the family. 1
The studio has also worked on major church restorations, including Holy Name Cathedral and Queen of All Saints Basilica in Chicago, and on projects connected to the Peoria cathedral and Sheen’s sarcophagus. Earlier, in 1979, it made the throne, altar, coat of arms and cardinals’ chairs for the outdoor Mass celebrated by Pope John Paul II in Chicago’s Grant Park. 1
Rigali described a shift from simpler church designs toward renewed interest in traditional art and the upkeep of existing church artwork. He cited stained-glass window releading and a return of interest in statuary as examples of the trend. 1*
Sacred art mediates theological meaning in Catholic worship
Yes. In Catholic worship, sacred art can mediate theological meaning by making the faith’s mysteries perceptible: images, architecture, sculpture, and music can direct the senses and imagination toward Christ and the mystery celebrated in the liturgy. The Church describes sacred art as a symbolic language that points beyond itself to God, and as a means of catechesis, prayer, and contemplation.
This mediation is not the same as the action of a sacrament. Art serves the liturgy by illuminating its meaning and helping the faithful enter more deeply into it; it does not replace the liturgy or make every artwork a sacrament. For example, images of saints ultimately refer to Christ and can encourage prayer and imitation, while the arrangement of a church’s art and furnishings can help express the Eucharistic mystery.
Art’s theological meaning is strongest when it is faithful to the Gospel and understood within the Church’s worship and tradition. Beauty alone is not enough: sacred art is meant to evoke and glorify God, draw people toward prayer and adoration, and help them encounter the mystery of Christ.