Venerable Fulton J. Sheen was one of the greatest spiritual leaders—and entertainers—in America’s tumultuous twentieth century. His television shows, for which he eventually won an Emmy Award, reached millions of viewers, and in the 1950s and ‘60s, “Fulton Sheen” was a household name. 

But his greatest gift was in finding lost sheep. Through his thought, wit, and compassion, many thousands of people likely entered the Church, from all walks of life. Among them were jazz legend Ada “Bricktop” Smith, journalist Heywood Broun, Communist activist Louis Budenz, U.S. Congresswoman Clare Boothe Luce, spy Elizabeth Bentley, composer Fritz Kreisler, Communist Bella Dodd, and Hollywood starlet Virginia Mayo. 

This in-depth work by historian Cheryl C. D. Hughes lets readers inhabit the postwar America where Bishop Fulton Sheen thrived, in order to reveal what made him such a magnetic figure in his own era. It peers into the complex lives of the celebrities and fallen stars who saw in the warm, brilliant bishop a sign of God’s grace, and it offers a study in the inner dynamics of conversion. 

Sheen was far more than a speaker and a scholar. A priest and shepherd foremost, he firmly believed that the Church needed to be poor to serve the poor, personally donating all the money he ever earned—over $200 million—to mission services. He was also an active participant at the Second Vatican Council, where he befriended the young bishop of Kraków, Karol Wojtyla, who had learned English, at least partially, from listening to recordings of Sheen. Pope John Paul II would later embrace Archbishop Sheen and say, “You have written and spoken well of the Lord Jesus. You are a loyal son of the Church.” 

While Sheen influenced countless conversions, he was always clear that it was the Holy Spirit, not the man, who makes the convert. By examining this bishop’s ministry in action, we can catch a glimpse of how God works in the human heart, and in a fallen world.

“An insightful book. I am confident that your encounter with Archbishop Sheen in the pages of this book will open you to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit—to a deeper conversion of heart and soul.”
— Most Reverend Louis Tylka, Bishop of Peoria, Illinois

“Fulton Sheen was a brilliant, faithful priest and an unprecedented convert maker, surely the best in the history of American Catholicism. No one brought people to the faith like the splendid Bishop Sheen. This is a very clever idea for a book on this great man. Kudos to Cheryl Hughes for taking up the task.”
— Paul Kengor, Ph.D., Professor of Political Science, Grove City College; Editor, The American Spectator

“A must-read. Cheryl Hughes masterfully explores Sheen’s priesthood, his role in America’s tumultuous twentieth century, and his profound impact on notable converts. Sheen’s tireless mission to bring souls to Christ shines through on every page—a compelling tribute to one of Catholicism’s greatest evangelizers.”
— Drew Mariani, Relevant Radio Host

“This book is fascinating not only for its portrayal of Venerable Fulton Sheen, but also for its cast of seemingly thousands of converts, so many of whom were celebrities in their day. These were interesting, accomplished men and women, and it’s a thrill to remember them in this way.”
— Mike Aquilina, Author, Rabbles, Riots and Ruins: Twelve Ancient Cities and How They Were Evangelized

“I fell in love with Archbishop Fulton Sheen when I was a young man and have been promoting his work for almost fifty years. This is truly an inspirational read for anyone looking to deepen his understanding of the state of the Church and society, and how to effect change, one soul at a time. Full Sheen ahead!”
— Terry Barber, Host, The Terry and Jesse Show; Author, How to Share Your Faith With Anyone

“A fascinating looking glass into the deepest passion in the heart of Archbishop Fulton Sheen — his obsession for the salvation of souls. As Sheen put it, ‘Unless souls are saved, nothing is saved.’ Now we get the answers as to how this man pulled off the most unlikely of conversions.”
— Peter Howard, Ph.D., Founder, The Fulton Sheen Institute

“As one who’s always looked to Bishop Sheen as a patron for my public speaking ministry, I finally have a resource to help me deepen my friendship with him. Hughes’s book is the resource for anyone who wants to foster devotion to Fulton Sheen and learn from his example of apostolic zeal and saintly living.” 
— Karlo Broussard, Ph.D., Catholic Answers Apologist; Author, The New Relativism