Who was Blessed Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen?

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen was a philosopher, theologian, priest, and bishop, author, missionary, and modern evangelist who used radio and television to proclaim the Gospel. Archbishop Sheen combined intellectual brilliance with deep spiritual conviction and a remarkable ability to clearly communicate the truths of the faith. He was driven by a devotion to the daily Eucharistic Holy Hour, which formed in him a deep personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Peter John Sheen was born on May 8th, 1895, in El Paso, Illinois, the eldest of four sons of Newton and Delia Sheen. Because he resembled his maternal relatives, he was given his mother's maiden name, Fulton. Raised in a devout Catholic family, he felt a call to the priesthood at a young age. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Peoria on September 20th, 1919.
His superiors, recognizing his intellectual gifts, sent him to Europe for further study. In 1923, he received a doctorate in philosophy from the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium. His academic formation, rooted in the philosophical and theological tradition of the Church, prepared him for a lifelong apostolate of teaching and evangelization.
After graduating, his bishop appointed him parochial vicar in a parish in downtown Peoria, where he preached successfully and inspired many people to conversion. After this test of obedience, the bishop allowed him to teach philosophy and theology at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. His intellectual activity was accompanied by a growing pastoral interest: he sought to make the teachings of the Church understandable and attractive to ordinary people.
Throughout his priestly career, Sheen placed prayer at the center of his apostolate. His commitment to a daily “holy hour” before the Blessed Sacrament became one of the defining practices of his spiritual life. He considered this time of prayer essential to his priestly identity and to the fruitfulness of his ministry. He had maintained his daily holy hour before the Eucharist since the day of his priestly ordination. His prayer—which he described as “the hour that shapes my day”—was the source of his deep relationship with the Gospel and the person of Jesus Christ. Sheen was a public preacher who spoke boldly about Jesus, but he did so only after first hearing him pray in private before the Eucharist.
Sheen's public ministry expanded through modern means of communication. Beginning in 1930, he hosted the radio program *The Catholic Hour*, which brought Catholic teaching to homes across the United States. His clear argument, engaging delivery, and pastoral warmth won over 4 million listeners. He was admired for his intellectual kindness and ability to present complex truths intelligibly, never losing sight of the need for encouragement amid the challenges of modern society. In addition to his radio career, his literary output flourished. Of his 66 published books, *Life of Christ* is considered one of his most inspiring contributions to the understanding of the person of Jesus and the Gospels.
In 1950, Sheen took on a new role as national director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, and in 1951 he was appointed auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of New York. He worked tirelessly not only to raise funds to support missions, but also to visit remote areas where the Church was growing to bring the message of faith to foreign lands. He saw his work with the Society for the Propagation of the Faith as a privilege that allowed him to serve the entire world.
In 1951, Sheen began bringing the gospel to people across the United States through the television program *Life Is Worth Living*. With a simple set and a blackboard, he gained over 30 million viewers; he spoke clearly and openly on the program about issues of faith, morality, suffering, family, and human dignity. Sheen was a gifted communicator who used philosophical arguments, theological perspective, humor, and storytelling to reach not only Catholics but also Protestants and Jews with his inspiring message.