THE APOSTLE OF THE AIRWAVES : FULTEN J SHEEN | KAIROS GLOBAL | SEPTEMBER 2026

Author: Maria Teres

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1953 Emmy Awards. A Catholic bishop in full choir dress – complete with ferraiuolo and pectoral cross – stood before the star-studded Hollywood audience to accept an Emmy Award for Most Outstanding Personality. Archbishop Fulton J Sheen had defeated many secular broadcasting giants like Lucille Ball and Frank Sinatra to bring this award home. The win was so phenomenal that his one-line acceptance speech went down in history: ‘I feel it is time I pay tribute to my four writers – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.’

That night, on LIVE television, in front of the whole world, the Gospels, the life of Christ, became the focal point because one man took his Shepherd’s exhortation to ‘take the Good News to the ends of the world’ seriously. Life is Worth Living, his weekly programme on DuMont Television Network – placed in an ‘obituary spot’, airing alongside two popular shows of the time – had quickly become the most widely-viewed television series of the year (drawing an estimated 30 million views every week).

From Prairie to Pulpit

He was born as Peter John Sheen in Illinois to farmer Newt Sheen and his wife Delia. Fulton was Delia’s maiden name, which Sheen adopted upon entering elementary school.

A childhood story has Sheen serving as altar boy for a Mass by Bishop John L Spalding. The 8-year-old-boy dropped a wine cruet that shattered on the floor during Holy Mass. When Mass was finished, the bishop told the frightened child: ‘One day you will study at the Louvain in Belgium, and someday you will be just as I am.’ Years later, he was ordained as a priest on this same altar at the Cathedral of St Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Illinois.

As a child, Fulton loved to learn. His academic pursuit led him to higher theological and philosophical studies, first in America, then in Belgium, and finally in Rome. Upon returning to the United States, his extraordinary intellectual gifts led him to teach at the Catholic University of America; for 23 years, Father Sheen was a significant presence at the University, honing his skills not only as an educator but also as an evangelist and proven orator.

But academic pursuits were not his ultimate call. In 1926, while at the university, Father Sheen had already begun his radio apostolate at a New York radio station. In 1930, Monsignor Sheen began his weekly broadcast on The Catholic Hour, bringing Catholicism to the world in a way it had never seen before. 

His zeal for the Kingdom extended far beyond his broadcasting success. Despite his busy academic career – and the steady stream of letters in response to his show to which he personally responded – he travelled across the country giving lectures, retreats, and homilies. That he found time to author more than sixty books, ranging from profound philosophical treatises to accessible guides on spiritual growth, moral philosophy, and psychological well-being is a testament to the grace that guided his life. His exceptional penmanship survived the test of time and continues to be Catholic bestsellers. Among his most enduring masterpieces is Life of Christ, widely regarded as one of the definitive twentieth-century works on the Gospel narrative.

A Heart Without Borders

For him, mission work was not far removed from charity; it was essentially about sharing the love of Christ with a world which was in dire need of it. During his sixteen years as National Director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith, he raised tens of millions of dollars for missions across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Oceania. Yet, his goal was never purely financial – he also led so many to the redeeming grace of Catholicism, ranging from commoners he encountered daily to celebrities who sought his advice.

He founded Mission magazine, with stories and photos of missionaries labouring in distant corners of the world, reminding Western believers of their baptismal obligation to support those on the frontlines of evangelisation. It was Sheen who created the World Mission Rosary, assigning a distinct colour to each decade representing a specific continent; this simple devotion has since helped millions wrap the entire globe in prayer daily.

Whispers at the Tabernacle

Beneath his public charisma lay a deeply contemplative interior life. From the day of his ordination, Archbishop Sheen made a solemn vow to spend an uninterrupted hour every day in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. This daily Holy Hour was the source of his apostolic energy.

Sheen’s Marian devotion was also profound; his priesthood was consecrated to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, and he offered daily Rosaries for conversions and the needs of the global Church. He lived a life of unseen penance, self-denial, and personal mortification, balancing the glamour of public fame with strict interior discipline. Amid his demanding travel schedules and recording sessions, he prioritised silent contemplation, frequent sacramental confession, and continuous study of the Church Fathers.

In the fullness of grace, Archbishop Sheen’s last moments were in the presence of the Eucharistic Lord. He died in his private New York chapel while making his daily Holy Hour.

Light for the Modern Dawn

On 24 September 2026, the Catholic Church will formally celebrate the beatification of this Venerable Servant of God. The historic Mass, to be presided over by Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle on behalf of Pope Leo XIV, will take place at The Dome at America's Center in St Louis, Missouri. This comes after rigorous investigations into allegations and challenges raised against the cause of his sainthood, including an indefinite postponement of the ceremony in 2019. 

For the faithful of the twenty-first century, the beatification of Fulton J Sheen offers a profound spiritual roadmap. In an era dominated by digital noise, fragmented communication, and spiritual apathy, Archbishop Sheen demonstrates how modern technology must be consecrated to the service of the Gospel. His charism challenges us to reclaim the practice of the daily Holy Hour, drawing our strength directly from the Eucharistic Heart of Christ. Ultimately, his life reminds us that amid the anxieties of the world, our lives are only truly ‘worth living’ when they are entirely surrendered to the saving love of Jesus Christ and the maternal protection of our Blessed Mother.

Milestones of Grace

Born: 8 May 1895

Ordination: 20 September 1919

National Director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith: 1950 – 1966

Auxiliary Bishop of New York: 1951 – 1966

Bishop of Rochester, New York: 1966 – 1969

Titular Archbishop of Newport: 1969 – 1979

Assistant to the Pontifical Throne: 1976 – 1979

Died: 9 December 1979

Declared Servant of God: 14 September 2002

Declared Venerable: 28 June 2012

Beatification: 24 September 2026

Maria Teres is a social worker by education and writer by passion and profession. In her spare time, you may find her curled up on a couch crocheting, reading, or sketchi