As young child watching Bishop Sheen on his popular TV show, "Life is Worth Living", I could hardly understand all the Bishop was teaching, yet I vividly remember being mesmerized by this young Catholic Bishop so dramatically and yet so comfortably, warmly, and happily teaching all of us about our Catholic faith. There weren't too many `practicing Catholics' in my home, but Bishop Sheen was a welcome and much anticipated guest in our living room each week and he gave the impression that he not only belonged there, but that there was no other place he would rather be. You felt God's presence when Bishop Sheen was in the room - even if only on the television.
I was brought back to those happy memories by Janel Rodriguez' new book, "Meet Fulton Sheen". This friendly little book will serve to re-introduce the charismatic and learned Bishop Sheen to those who had the pleasure of knowing him or who watched him on TV. For those who meet him for the first time, the book serves as a pleasant and very well written introduction to one of the most influential Catholics of the past century.
The name "Fulton Sheen" is familiar to those who watched television in the 1950s, when the bishop's weekly teaching show, "Life Is Worth Living" provided stiff competition for " Mr. Television," Milton Berle.
In this biography, Janel Rodriguez fleshes out the bishop's life, emphasizing the qualities of his spirituality and personality that marked his ministry and were also evident to TV audiences. The facts are there: birth in 1895, ordination in 1919, postordination studies, diocesan assignments, radio and TV shows, tenure as director of The Propagation of the Faith, participation in the Second Vatican Council, service as archbishop of Rochester, retirement, and death in 1979.
Rodriguez fills in this outline with a narrative that invites straight-through reading and conveys a clear understanding of Sheen's importance in the Church and his influence in the world as a preacher, evangelizer, and true, though very human, disciple. On the personal side, we learn of Sheen's devotion to Mary and his commitment to a daily holy hour before the Blessed Sacrament. Publicly, we see him developing relationships across all strata of society from panhandlers and fans on the streets of New York, where he lived for many years to leaders of governments and the Church throughout the world.
Rodriguez, despite her serious purpose, inserts charming trivia, such as how actor Martin Sheen chose his stage name (take a guess). We are also treated to Sheen's stories from Vatican II focused on the collegiality and humor among the participants, whose coverage in the media often emphasized discord. Did you know there were limericks? Rodriguez's work provides a well-rounded portrait of this highly charismatic Catholic leader who is being considered for sainthood.
