With Fulton J. Sheen’s beatification around the corner this fall, few know him as well as expert Dr. Peter Howard, who has dedicated over a quarter century to studying Sheen’s life, writing, and spirituality. Howard says that the timing of Sheen’s beatification is no coincidence, but “heaven’s spotlight on the saint God gave the Church for this exact moment in time.”
Beatification during America’s 250th anniversary
The founder of the Fulton Sheen Institute and Movement, Howard not only knows Sheen’s legacy inside and out, he also is committed to walking in the footsteps of Sheen’s spirituality, particularly through a daily Eucharistic Holy Hour.
Howard says that it is significant that Sheen’s beatification is occurring in 2026, “the 250th anniversary of America, whose future is hanging by a thread; a world at war; a Church struggling to be a light to the nations and a clear voice of truth and moral authority in the world.”
Howard calls Sheen a “prophet and teacher for our times,” one who was given a blueprint to restore the Christian philosophy of life to the United States.
“The beatification,” Howard shares, “puts the spotlight on Sheen as the one with the answers we are hurting and longing for to bring our nation and this world back to God.”
What Bishop Sheen cared about most
Many people know (or even remember) Bishop Sheen as “the media priest.” While his books and media made a big impact, Howard says that “his greatest legacy is his obsession with the salvation of souls.”
EVERYTHING he did was for the purpose — why he studied everything of any subject that was helpful in reaching souls. His secret to his power and success in making converts — by his own admission — was his unbroken promise of making a daily Holy Hour before Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. One misses the heart of Sheen and his greatest legacy if they don’t understand this.
Another inseparable secret was Sheen’s love for and consecration to Mary, to whom he credited all of his conversions.
Sheen’s wisdom for the “post-human future”
Howard says that “Sheen’s wisdom for our digital age is to stay close to Christ and His Blessed Mother.” He attributes many crises in our culture to a societal abandonment of Christ.
“The world is moving quickly toward a post-human civilization,” Howard states. “The ONLY answer Sheen would shout from the rooftops, is return to Christ. Sheen said, ‘If you wish to remake the world, you must begin first by remaking the individual. Then the institutions will resemble the good men and women who make them.’ The world is turning to the artificial over nature (“artificial” intelligence). Sheen was the ultimate 'realist,' the St. Thomas Aquinas for today and the 3rd millennium to remake the world.”
The saint for the third millennium
Fulton J. Sheen was prolific, both in his writings and on television. To start to get to know him, Howard recommends beginning with Sheen’s autobiography.
Without question, start with his autobiography, Treasure in Clay. Get to know the man as he reflects on the totality of his life within the context of the state of the Church and the world before and after the Second Vatican Council. He shares what is most important in his final reflection on his life, what he saw, what he believed, his formation, where the Church is going, what the new evangelization will look like, and what the world needs to turn back to God.
Howard invites everyone to get to know Sheen, what he teaches, and especially his practice of a Eucharistic Holy Hour during this year of his beatification. An icon of hope, he directed all of his efforts, preaching and teaching towards the salvation of souls.
