This past Thursday the Church celebrated the beatification of one of her all-time preachers and evangelists: Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. Born in Illinois in 1895, Sheen became a priest in 1919 and advanced as an astute theologian.
Sheen’s service in the presbyterate, as God’s Providence would have it, corresponded with the rise of mass communication via radio and television. This was congenial to his charisms of preaching, wisdom, and teaching. He is perhaps best known for his shows Life is Worth Living (1952-1957) and The Fulton Sheen Program (1961-1968). Many recall Sheen’s witty catechesis, deep Scriptural knowledge, care for modern issues in light of Church teaching, and practical advice for the spiritual life. In 1969, Sheen, attending a Club Roast of Milton Berle, quipped his shows had a better team of writers: “Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.” His 30 million viewers were a testament to his talent and the fact God raises up particular saints for particular times.
Sheen’s beatification originates in his home diocese of Peoria, Illinois. In 2010, Travis and Bonnie Engstrom had a child, whom they named James Fulton in honor of the local hero. James was delivered stillborn; after sixty-one minutes, the doctors were ready to declare death—until a heartbeat. It was during this difficult time that the Engstroms prayed for the intercession of the venerable archbishop, as they had done throughout the pregnancy, too. James survived and did not have any consequential effects to his physical or intellectual development. The Vatican approved the miracle in 2019.
What implications does Sheen’s life and beatification have for us today? Well, I think his beatification appropriately corresponds to the issues of our time, notably the use of new technologies, which is a theme of Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical Magnifica Humanitas (Magnificent Humanity). Sheen’s missionary employment of new technologies is an example of good stewardship: the morality of technologies lies in their practical use, and effective evangelization entails prudent utilization of technology. As Pope Leo XIV writes: “In practice, however, technology is never neutral, because it takes on the characteristics of those who devise, finance, regulate and use it. Therefore, the primary choice is not between a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to technology, but rather between constructing Babel or rebuilding Jerusalem; between a power that claims to dominate the heavens and a people who work together in the presence of God to rebuild the walls of fraternal coexistence” (MH, no. 9). Whereas many used television and radio for ill, Sheen used them to build up God’s Kingdom. As mentioned earlier, God raises up saints when the world needs them; likewise, the living saints of history help illuminate the paths of the present. Sheen’s lessons remind us that we are to always preserve the truth of the Gospel but be ready to present it in new ways, in addition to establishing ethical norms for technology.
Lastly, Sheen, an ardent patriot, is often remembered for his passionate defense of America during the Cold War. In an episode of Life is Worth Living titled “The Glory of Being An American,” Sheen taught the virtue of patriotism, or pietas, which is when the indwelling of divine grace in our soul convicts us to conduct our social and civil affairs with justice and charity. As we continue to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, let us pray for Blessed Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen’s intercession that we may truly be the salt and light of all our societies; from our domestic family to the nation at-large.
