Long before Catholic evangelization reached audiences through apps, podcasts, and social media, Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen recognized the extraordinary power of modern media to bring souls to Christ.
Born in 1895 and raised in Illinois, Sheen was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Peoria on September 20, 1919. From the beginning of his priesthood, he made a commitment that would become the spiritual foundation of his ministry: spending one hour each day in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.
Sheen eventually became one of the most recognizable Catholic voices in America. After years of radio ministry, he entered the emerging world of television with Life is Worth Living in 1952. The unscripted program brought Catholic teaching into millions of homes, addressing faith, morality, philosophy, current events, suffering, and the search for meaning. At its height, the program reached approximately 30 million viewers each week, and Sheen received an Emmy Award for his work on television.
Yet behind his remarkable public ministry was a deep interior life. Sheen believed his effectiveness as an evangelist flowed from his daily Holy Hour with Jesus in the Eucharist. His devotion helped inspire later generations of priests, seminarians, and lay Catholics to rediscover Eucharistic adoration as an essential part of the Christian life.
Sheen died in 1979, but his influence continued long after his death. His cause for canonization was formally opened by the Diocese of Peoria in 2002. A major step forward came through the extraordinary recovery of James Fulton Engstrom, who was born without signs of life in 2010. His family prayed through Sheen’s intercession, and after 61 minutes without a heartbeat, James’ heart began beating. The recovery was later recognized by the Church as a miracle attributed to Sheen’s intercession.
More than a celebrated broadcaster, Archbishop Sheen was a priest who understood that every tool available could be placed at the service of the Gospel. Decades later, his message still resonates: amid suffering, uncertainty, and fear, a life centered on Jesus Christ is truly worth living.
On September 24, 2026, Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen is scheduled to be beatified in St. Louis, Missouri. Watch the entire broadcast on the Relevant Radio app or at RelevantRadio.com/watch.
Archbishop Sheen Beatification Presented by Relevant Radio & the Knights of Columbus