Story and photos by William Staley
ST. LOUIS–As Cardinal Tagle shared Pope Leo XIV’s sentiments at Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen’s elevation to Blessed, he joyfully dubbed him a fellow “Illinoisan” like the Holy Father, himself.
Blessed Fulton Sheen’s legacy was building bridges from what people know to what he wanted them to know. If he were alive in today’s social media age, he would most assuredly be giving the likes of Bishop Barron, Fr. Jim Martin, and the Chosen cast a run for their money. He would have commanded a YouTube following that would best Mr. Beast, and his podcast would be a fearful factor in what could topple Joe Rogan’s reign of popularity.
This modern hypothetical would not be the first time Blessed Fulton Sheen would go toe to toe with influential cultural giants. Back in the 1950s, Sheen’s time slot on NBC was up against the likes of Frank Sinatra and Milton Berle. Sheen even went on to win an Emmy for his work. He keenly understood the essence of competition.
In our capitalistic society, Americans often jump to conclusions, thinking competition results in a winner and a loser. That is true in many cases; however, the real essence of competition stems from its etymological roots, com– (with) and –pedar (walking/running). So, competition actually means “Who are you running with?” Sheen took the Gospel of Jesus Christ to run alongside top comedians and performers of the era on the newest medium available, network television.
Evangelization and competition go hand in hand. It is all about asking the question, “Who are you running with?” It is not just a job for a priest, a religious sister or someone who works at a church. Through our baptism, we are all called to evangelize. So, what does it mean to evangelize? Evangelization, simply stated, means to share the good news of Jesus Christ with anyone, any way we can.
Saint Mary Magdalene, the apostle to the Apostles, did this by running with the good news on that first Easter morning when she met the One in the garden. She thought Our Lord was a gardener until He said, “Mary.” Once she knew that Christ had defeated death and saw his resurrected self with both of her own eyes, she bolted to tell the Apostles. Two thousand years later, we should all discover that fervor to share the good news.
This archbishop who hailed from Illinois lived a worthy life to now be raised to the altars as Blessed Fulton Sheen. He was a holy man for many reasons. The one key tactic that his life and legacy point to is his daily Holy Hour. He kept this sacred one-on-one time with the One for decades. Visitors can still stop by Caldwell Hall at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. and pray in the chapel where he spent this daily sacred time while on the faculty. And that is where they found this holy man’s body when he departed this world for his eternal reward: in front of the Blessed Sacrament.
In today’s social media circuit, Blessed Fulton Sheen gives us the template for how to be a proper Catholic influencer. Stay rooted in daily prayer, take creative chances and do not be afraid to run with the best competitors. May we remember the words of Saint Paul that fit Blessed Fulton Sheen so well: “I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7
