American religious leader, evangelist, writer, Roman Catholic priest, and radio and television personality.
Fulton J. Sheen, (May 8, 1895 – December 9, 1979) was an American bishop of the Catholic Church known for his preaching and especially his work on television and radio. Originally named Peter John Sheen, as a young boy he came to be known by his mother’s maiden name, Fulton. He was raised and educated in Roman Catholic Faith where the Eucharist manifested itself at an early age as a desire for future priestly ordination. He understood that the Eucharist was at the heart of the Church in general, and the priesthood in particular. Over the course of many dedicated, steadfast years, he was ordained a priest of the diocese of Peoria at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria, IL on Sept 20, 1919.
Sheen was instrumental in the start of the New Evangelization and brought the Catholic Faith to others through modern means of communication. He authored sixty best-selling books in his lifetime, and he captivated millions of Americans through his newspaper columns and broadcasts on radio in the 1930s, 40s, 50s, and 60s. When he emerged as television’s very first popular religious communicator, Catholics and non-Catholics alike, tuned in to his programming each week. In 1953, he won the Emmy for Most Outstanding Television Personality. When he accepted the award, he said, “I feel it’s time I paid tribute to my writers―Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.” This beloved and influential figure became well-known for his tremendous faith, wisdom, humor, and goodness. His message was both simple and profound: Jesus Christ must be at the center of everything.
Fulton J. Sheen: The Communicator (2:50)
Archbishop Fulton Sheen had a gift for communicating the Word of God in the most pure, simple way. His strong background in philosophy helped him to relate to all of his followers in a highly personalized manner. His timeless messages continue to have great relevance today. He inspires each of us to live a God-centered life with the joy and love that God intended.
Throughout his priesthood, Sheen made the Holy Eucharist the centerpiece of his life and source of his apostolic and evangelical zeal by promising the Lord that he would make a Eucharistic Holy Hour every day of his priestly life. Not a single day of his priestly ministry went by without him making his Holy Hour, which at times required heroic virtue because of his frequent travels and speaking engagements.
In his last years, Sheen continued to write and preach as health and energy allowed. One late afternoon in December 1979, at the age of 84, he was discovered dead in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament in his private chapel. The cause for his canonization was opened in 2002. Fulton Sheen’s official title at this time is Venerable, a fitting honor for the man who had vigorously preached, “If you want to know about God, there is only one way to do it: get down on your knees.”
Prayer for Canonization of Fulton Sheen
Heavenly Father, source of all holiness, You raise up within the Church in every age men and women who serve with heroic love and dedication. You have blessed Your Church through the life and ministry of Your faithful servant, Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. He has written and spoken well of Your Divine Son, Jesus Christ, and was a true instrument of the Holy Spirit in touching the hearts of countless people. If it be according to Your Will, for the honor and glory of the Most Holy Trinity and for the salvation of souls, we ask You to move the Church to proclaim him a saint. We ask this prayer through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
