Archbishop Fulton Sheen, his media legacy and the road to beatification

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 senseHis work as a scholar, teacher, diocesan priest, missionary fundraiser and Vatican II participantHow obedience to his bishop led him from parish work back into teaching and eventually into broadcastingWhy the radio show “The Catholic Hour” made Archbishop Sheen a national figure, reaching more than 4 million householdsHow “Life Is Worth Living” on television drew more than 30 million viewers with a simple chalkboard, cassock, and ideas that resonatedThe response to Sheen’s ministry, including fan mail, mission donations, and the Emmy that now sits in the Sheen Museum in PeoriaWhy authenticity and substance matter in Catholic media today, especially in a crowded media landscapeHow miracles function in the canonization process as divine confirmation of heroic virtueThe story of the miracle attributed to Archbishop Sheen’s intercession involving a child born without vital signs who later recovered fullyArchbishop Sheen’s lifelong eucharistic holy hour and how prayer shaped his preaching, writing, and evangelizationWhat comes next after beatification, including the search for a second miracle for canonizationHost: Christopher GuntyGuest: Monsignor Jason Gray, executive director, Archbishop Fulton Sheen FoundationProducer: Christopher GuntyCopyright © 2026 Catholic Review Media