September 24, 2026
Fulton John Sheen (1895–1979) was an American Catholic archbishop, famous for his pioneering role in evangelization through radio and television.
Born in Illinois to a family of farmers, he always felt a desire to become a priest, writing in his autobiography that he could not remember a time when he had not wished to devote himself to God. He studied at St. Paul Seminary (Minnesota) and then in Rome to prepare for his ordination (1919). He then studied at The Catholic University of America before moving on to the University of Leuven (Belgium) for further studies in philosophy. After teaching for a time in England, he returned to Washington to teach at the university where he had previously studied.
A well-known and beloved preacher, he was also a pioneer of Catholic media. He hosted the radio program The Catholic Hour for decades.
His weekly show Life Is Worth Living attracted up to 30 million viewers per week in the 1950s. He even won an Emmy Award in 1953 for Outstanding Television Personality.
Bishop and Archbishop: He served as auxiliary bishop of New York, then as bishop of Rochester.
Deeply committed to the Mission, he raised several million dollars to support Catholic missions through the Society for the Propagation of the Faith (Now : Pontifcal Missions Society). He also traveled throughout the United States and the world to support missionary efforts. Trials and slander did not prevent him from carrying out his mission. He was publicly commended and vindicated by Saint John Paul II during the latter’s first apostolic journey to the United States in 1979. The pope called him “a loyal son of the Church.” He had also participated in the Second Vatican Council; Pope Benedict XVI recalled that “Fulton Sheen knew how to fascinate and captivate us in the evenings with his speeches.”
A man of prayer, he never failed to pray his daily Holy Hour, from the day of his priestly ordination until his death on December 9, 1979, when he was found on the floor of his private chapel in the presence of our Lord.
He wrote numerous books, and many of his sermons were transcribed. He will be beatified on September 24, 2026, in St. Louis, Missouri. His body rests in Peoria Cathedral in Illinois.
Fulton Sheen is a saint for our times; may he intercede for us and for our world. May he remind us every day that life is worth living. Life is worth living ! "God love you!"
We already have enough critics; today, our poor world needs apostles who encourage. But where will they come from, if not from the Hope born of a loving and merciful Savior?
There are no limits to the truth you can know, to the life you can live, to the love you can enjoy, and to the beauty you can experience.
