The 100th Missionary Week

On October 21, 1956, Archbishop Fulton Sheen appeared on the popular American television show Who Am I? hosted by ABC. This marked a unique moment in history, as a future saint participated in a television quiz show. Sheen became one of the most recognizable faces on television at the time, hosting the highly watched program Life Is Worth Living, which he also authored. His popularity extended beyond religious circles, earning him a spot on the cover of Time magazine. He was not just the most well-known clergyman in the United States but also a media sensation. The judges on the show were unaware of his identity during the contest. All participants had their eyes covered, and the audience was left guessing who would emerge as the guest. When the judges finally revealed Sheen’s identity, they presented him with the prize money. Sheen stated he would donate the $50 to Catholic missions led by the Vatican's Pontifical Mission Society, an organization dedicated to spreading faith through missionaries. Sheen’s appearance on the show highlighted the charismatic appeal of this priest from Peoria, who transformed modern evangelization. He paved the way for a new approach. Nearly fifty years after his death, another milestone occurred: September 2026 saw Pope Francis declare him a blessed, with canonization being the final step away from sainthood. During a time when the Church has a missionary pope, the contribution of this missionary bishop is appreciated. Unlike traditional missionaries working in remote villages, Sheen operated within the daily lives of modern America. It is unlikely he imagined such a role while growing up in rural Illinois. Born Peter John Sheen on May 8, 1895, in El Paso, Illinois, his father worked as a clerk in a steel trade business. His parents called him P.J., but later he became known as Fulton, after his mother’s maiden name. After moving to Peoria, he began ministering and decided early on to become a priest. After ordination in 1919, he studied at the American Catholic University and later at the University of Leuven in Belgium, where he earned his doctorate. For a brief period, he served as a parish priest in Peoria before choosing an academic path, teaching, writing, and lecturing. Soon, he gained recognition as a persuasive speaker and preacher. In 1926, he was invited to a radio station in New York to record a series of Sunday evening sermons. What started as a brief engagement evolved into a regular segment in the radio program Catholic Hour, gaining more listeners each week. Young priest Sheen quickly gained many followers. He continued teaching, and in 1950, he was appointed director of the New York branch of the Pontifical Mission Society. Shortly thereafter, he was consecrated as an auxiliary bishop of New York and began hosting the television program Life Is Worth Living in the fall of 1951. The show was intended to be simple. There was no elaborate set, ensemble, or performers. Only Archbishop Fulton Sheen stood before the camera in his cassock and approached the blackboard. Each episode began the same way: with elegantly written letters forming the initials JMJ, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Following this, he delivered compelling lectures on topics such as sin, faith, doubt, evil, and God's love, enriched with stories, life lessons, and a distinct sense of humor. He spoke without prepared notes. (In reality, he spent several hours each week writing, memorizing, and rehearsing.) Each episode concluded with a concise summary.