Archbishop Fulton Sheen, his media legacy and the road to beatification — Catholic Review Radio

Christopher Gunty of Catholic Review Media talks with Monsignor Jason Gray, executive director of the Archbishop Fulton Sheen Foundation, about Archbishop Sheen’s life, his rise as a pioneering Catholic broadcaster, and the miracle that led to his beatification. Monsignor Gray also explains how Archbishop Sheen’s Midwest roots, prayer life and clear teaching style shaped a ministry that reached millions.

In this episode, they discuss:

Archbishop Sheen’s background in Peoria and how his Midwest upbringing formed his humility and common sense
His work as a scholar, teacher, diocesan priest, missionary fundraiser and Vatican II participant
How obedience to his bishop led him from parish work back into teaching and eventually into broadcasting
Why the radio show “The Catholic Hour” made Archbishop Sheen a national figure, reaching more than 4 million households
How “Life Is Worth Living” on television drew more than 30 million viewers with a simple chalkboard, cassock, and ideas that resonated
The response to Sheen’s ministry, including fan mail, mission donations, and the Emmy that now sits in the Sheen Museum in Peoria
Why authenticity and substance matter in Catholic media today, especially in a crowded media landscape
How miracles function in the canonization process as divine confirmation of heroic virtue
The story of the miracle attributed to Archbishop Sheen’s intercession involving a child born without vital signs who later recovered fully
Archbishop Sheen’s lifelong eucharistic holy hour and how prayer shaped his preaching, writing, and evangelization
What comes next after beatification, including the search for a second miracle for canonization

Host: Christopher Gunty

Guest: Monsignor Jason Gray, executive director, Archbishop Fulton Sheen Foundation

Producer: Christopher Gunty