Archbishop Fulton Sheen Beatified in St. Louis
Archbishop Fulton Sheen, a figure who once drew vast audiences to their televisions with nothing but a chalkboard and his messages on Christianity, morality, and communism, was beatified in St. Louis, marking a pivotal step towards possible sainthood.
More than seventy years later, conservative commentator Michael Knowles suggested that if Sheen were alive today, he would likely be labeled a “far-right extremist” for expressing the same beliefs he famously espoused. “I mean, I think the moment he started talking, someone would probably rush to label him that,” Knowles remarked, emphasizing how unchanged Sheen’s message would be.
Sheen’s radio program, “The Catholic Hour,” reached over four million listeners, and his television show, “Life Is Worth Living,” captivated around thirty million viewers. It’s impressive, really, especially considering he was doing this long before the days of podcasts and social media, which now give religious leaders direct access to massive audiences.
During the beatification ceremony, President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump took part in honoring Sheen, who the White House noted as the first American-born bishop to achieve this recognition. Sheen’s television format was simple yet effective, relying on personal storytelling techniques mixed with humor and robust theological discussions. He truly was a pioneer, a “televangelist” long before that term existed.
His influence extended beyond typical religious audiences; he competed in television ratings with well-known entertainment figures like Milton Berle and Frank Sinatra and even earned an Emmy for outstanding television personality.
An interesting aside—Pope Leo XIV once reminisced about how Sheen’s evangelization played a role in his own childhood faith journey. Decades later, that same Pope approved Sheen’s beatification.
Knowles pointed out that Sheen would probably be enthusiastic about embracing modern platforms like podcasts, yet the content he shared might conflict with current cultural norms. When asked what might lead to Sheen being “canceled” today, Knowles indicated that his staunch Catholic beliefs, his strong anti-communism stance, and his unapologetic nature would all play a role. “You just can’t separate those,” he explained.
Sheen was vocal about the cultural issues of his time. In his reflections, he expressed concerns over destructive trends within society, warning that such impulses could hinder the nation’s progress. Knowles connected this to a broader, timeless debate on human nature, suggesting that failures of political systems often arise from misconceptions about human behavior.
Although Sheen’s beatification process began in Peoria, Illinois, in 2002, it hinged upon a miracle attributed to his intercession—a child born without a heartbeat revived after 61 minutes and went on to fully recover. This miracle was formally recognized by Pope Francis back in 2019, which cleared a major hurdle in Sheen’s path toward sainthood.
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, who represented Pope Leo at the Mass, highlighted Sheen’s dedication to convey the Gospel rather than merely celebrating his fame. Sheen’s history with the papacy was significant, having participated in the Second Vatican Council and interacting with future popes.
In perhaps the most touching moment, during Pope John Paul II’s visit to New York in 1979, a frail Sheen attempted to kneel before him, receiving an embrace instead. Just two months later, Sheen passed away.
Knowles suggested that Sheen’s wide appeal wasn’t just about his theology or the novelty of television. “He took life seriously but didn’t take himself too seriously,” he noted, which made complex discussions accessible and engaging for many viewers.
Ultimately, beneath the public persona was a deeply spiritual man committed to prayer, maintaining a daily Holy Hour before the Eucharist throughout his ministry. Admiring Sheen’s contributions is one thing, Knowles observed, but striving to follow his example is where the real challenge lies.
