Catholic singles head to Fulton Sheen beatification in hopes of meeting future spouses

Amid reports of growing dating app fatigue, a community for unmarried Catholics is organizing a five-day pilgrimage to Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen’s beatification, where participants can meet others who hope to build a marriage rooted in their faith.

In an Aug. 27 press release, 365 Catholic Singles Community invited unmarried Catholics weary of dating apps to attend a five-day pilgrimage to Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen’s beatification, saying the trip encourages greater trust in God’s providence when seeking a spouse.

The Sept. 23–27 pilgrimage will bring participants to St. Louis for the beatification. Bethany Kline, the community’s founder, said the gathering is intended to move their search for a spouse beyond the screens and filters of online dating.

“If we profess trust in God’s providence, we have to do the work of attending in-person events with fellow Catholics. We spend years filtering people out on screens by arbitrary traits, forgetting to leave room for the Holy Spirit to act as matchmaker,” Kline said. “God cannot work through your journey if you remain isolated at home scrolling apps alone.”

The release cited a 2024 Forbes Health survey of 1,000 U.S. adults, which found that 78% of dating app users had experienced emotional, mental, or physical burnout.

Kline also discussed the pilgrimage in an Aug. 7 interview on Catholic Community Media’s Wake Up!, pointing to the number of Catholics expected at the beatification.

“This is where over 75,000 Catholics will be gathering, so if you want to see a miracle, maybe God can work one and you will meet your future spouse there,” Kline said. “It’s the ultimate example of not waiting around to live a full and purposeful life.”

She said the pilgrimage’s emphasis on community was also inspired by Ven. Archbishop Sheen’s teaching on authentic love.

“Love requires a shared purpose and community,” she said, “and this trip is designed for Catholic singles to step out and experience world-class community and travel with intentionality.”

As Zeale News previously reported, Pope Francis recognized a miracle attributed to Ven. Archbishop Sheen’s intercession in 2019. His beatification is scheduled for Sept. 24 at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis.

Ven. Archbishop Sheen reached millions through his books, radio broadcasts, and television ministry. His Emmy Award-winning program, Life Is Worth Living, helped make him one of the 20th century’s best-known Catholic evangelists.