45 Years Since Fulton Sheen’s Death

On December 9th, 1979, the Catholic Church lost a great son who proclaimed her faith so well. A midwestern man by the name of Peter Fulton John Sheen died.

Archbishop Fulton Sheen was a larger-than-life shepherd who cared for so many. He inspired many to leave communism. He is the author of 73 books (think the number of books found in the bible).

Born in Peoria, Illinois, Fulton Sheen’s calling to the priesthood first happened when he dropped a wine cruet on the floor during Mass celebrated by Bishop Spalding. The bishop said to the young Sheen, “Someday you will be just as I am."

As time went on, he taught at the Catholic University of America for 23 years teaching Theology and later philosophy. His oration and preaching skills would be developed during his time. He would even receive hundreds of requests to deliver lectures, lead retreats, and commencement addresses.

By 1926 his roots in broadcasting the gospel were planted when he delivered weekly reflections on a radio program in New York during Lent. He would be a two-week fill-in for that same radio during the summer. It was met with much positivity that he was requested to be a weekly speaker.

In 1951, he was consecrated to the bishop and launched his weekly TV program “Life is Worth Living,” which won an Emmy. He thanked his “writers Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.” The show would go on to reach more than 30 million viewers. He would preach against modernism and even communism.

During his time running the show and ministry, Sheen would inspire everyday New Yorkers and even prominent names in entertainment, politics, and music to join the Catholic Church or even return to their roots.

From 1962 to 1965, Sheen worked with the future Pope Benedict XVI as he attended the sessions of the Second Vatican Council. In a 2012 interview with Vatican Radio, the Pope recalled how "Fulton Sheen ... would fascinate us in the evenings with his talks."

From 1996 to 1969, Sheen served as Bishop of Rochester, NY. When he resigned, he wrote, "I am not retiring, only retreading." Pope Paul VI named him Archbishop of the Titular See of Newport, Wales. Archbishop Sheen remained active, spending the last years of his life chiefly in writing and preaching.

In October 1979. Archbishop Sheen would meet St. John Paul the Great at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. During the encounter, the beloved pope would say, “You have written and spoken well of the Lord Jesus. You are a loyal son of the Church!” 

Throughout his time as a priest and bishop, Archbishop Sheen fulfilled a commitment that he would make a daily Holy Hour. According to Author Michael Dubruiel, "There is no one in the modern church who has done more to popularize the practice of praying in the presence of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament."

It was fitting that he would be found in the presence of Our Lord in his final moment on earth as he died on December 9th 1979.

To this day, Catholics await his long-anticipated beatification that was stalled for the last five years.

As the namesake of his foundation advises, his beatification and canonization are “inevitable”.

Venerable Fulton J. Sheen, intercede for us.

“You must remember to love people and use things, rather than to love things and use people.”