Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen is set to become the first U.S.-born bishop to be beatified on Sept. 24 in St. Louis. Known for his innovative Catholic media ministry, Sheen spent several years after his ordination studying philosophy and theology in Europe — first in Leuven, Belgium, then in Paris and Rome.
His time in Rome would produce some of the most significant events in Sheen’s life, including the completion of his doctorate, being consecrated a bishop, and attending the Second Vatican Council.
Here are some of Sheen’s most important moments in the Eternal City:
Completing his doctorate at the Angelicum
Then-Father Sheen earned a doctorate in theology at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas — “the Angelicum,” as it’s known — in Rome after studying there from 1923-1924. That year, the Angelicum was located on the Via San Vitale before moving to its present location at the Church of Sts. Dominic and Sixtus in 1932.
The Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas — “the Angelicum” — in Rome. | Credit: Ishmael Adibuah/EWTN News
In 1923, Pope Pius XI published his encyclical Studiorum Decem, praising the Angelicum’s work in promoting the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas, whose 600th canonization anniversary was also celebrated that year.
Meeting with Pope Pius XI
In 1935, Pius XI summoned Sheen to Rome for a private audience at the height of Sheen’s fame from his NBC radio show “The Catholic Hour.” The pope had made him a monsignor the previous year.
A young Fulton Sheen. | Credit: Photo courtesy of The Archbishop Fulton John Sheen Foundation
During their meeting, the pope, alarmed by the rise of Soviet communism, asked Sheen to study the works of Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin and to use that study to warn Americans of the dangers of communism.
Sheen would respond to the pope’s request by regularly explaining the dangers of communism throughout his public ministry.
Episcopal consecration
On May 28, 1951, Pope Pius XII appointed Sheen auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of New York, assisting its archbishop, Cardinal Francis Spellman. He received his episcopal consecration at the Basilica of Sts. John and Paul on June 11, 1951.
Sheen later became the bishop of Rochester, New York, in 1966 and the titular archbishop of Newport, Wales, in 1969.
National director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith
In 1950, the Vatican nominated Sheen as the national director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith. He would serve in this position for 16 years.
Pope Pius XII. | Credit: Public domain
As national director, he was occasionally required to visit Rome, where he met privately with Popes Pius XII, John XXIII, and Paul VI, as well as other officials in the Roman Curia.
On May 21, 1961, John XXIII invited Sheen, as national director, to consecrate 14 new missionary bishops with him in St. Peter’s Basilica.
Second Vatican Council
Sheen attended all four sessions of the Second Vatican Council, which lasted from 1962–1965.
Father Joseph Ratzinger, a theological expert at the council who later became Pope Benedict XVI, met Sheen in 1965. In July 2012, as pope, he fondly recalled the days he spent working with Sheen and others in the Italian countryside, drafting the council’s decree on the Church’s missionary activity, Ad Gentes.
Pope Benedict XVI. | Credit: Vatican Media
“There was Fulton Sheen who would fascinate us in the evenings with his talks,” Benedict said, remembering some of those present during a week that was, for him, “spiritual enrichment, a great gift.”
Shortly before that, Benedict recognized the heroic virtue of Sheen and declared him “venerable” in a decree on June 28, 2012.
