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The Enduring Faith and Timeless Truths of Fulton Sheen
"I am grateful to Mark Zia for presenting the teachings of Fulton Sheen in a way that will enrich the lives of all those seeking truth and trying to understand the challenging times we live in.” —from the foreword, by Fr. Andrew Apostoli, C.F.R.
In every age God raises up saints who best exemplify the virtues so needed in their day. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen was one of the most loved and influential teachers in America in the twentieth century. With wisdom coupled with a wonderful sense of humor, Sheen was a master communicator who showed the way to be authentic, down-to-earth, and holy. In this new book by Professor Mark J. Zia, readers already familiar with Sheen as well as those just discovering him will better grasp his “big picture” teachings about the faith. The result will be a greater appreciation of what it means to be Catholic and a more fervent desire to grow in holiness.
In every age God raises up saints who best exemplify the virtues so needed in their day. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen was one of the most loved and influential teachers in America in the twentieth century. With wisdom coupled with a wonderful sense of humor, Sheen was a master communicator who showed the way to be authentic, down-to-earth, and holy. In this new book by Professor Mark J. Zia, readers already familiar with Sheen as well as those just discovering him will better grasp his “big picture” teachings about the faith. The result will be a greater appreciation of what it means to be Catholic and a more fervent desire to grow in holiness.
147 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 13, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 23, 2015
When you talk about great Catholics in U.S. history, Archbishop Fulton Sheen is almost always one of the first names mentioned. He just had a way of teaching the faith that made it so simple to understand, which is quite remarkable because people with his level of brilliance usually have a hard time of relating their knowledge to everyone else. In addition to his intellect, I also appreciated his honesty. He was never afraid to mince words and tell people that they were sinning. In our modern culture, where it seems like there is no right or wrong, we could use a man like him again. He was also a big reason why I am Catholic today. I remember watching his television show, Life is Worth Living, and listening to talks of his both during my road to Catholicism and still to this day. His messages truly are timeless. Author Mark J. Zia thinks so as well and it is demonstrated in his book The Enduring Faith and Timeless Truths of Fulton Sheen.
Zia begins his introduction by telling us that there are five aspects of Sheen that are relevant today and make his life attractive to us. They are as follows:
1. He was a contemporary American.
2. His sense of humor was legendary.
3. He was exceedingly wise.
4. He was a Catholic bishop.
5. His cooperation's with God's grace was crucial to the success of his ministry.
Zia then uses life stories and massive amounts of quotations of Sheen to instruct us on matters of the faith, such as Mary, the priesthood, the pope, the Eucharist, Confession, etc. The most interesting chapter to me was Chapter Three: On Suffering and Death.The chapter begins by telling of a trying ten years in Sheen's life. Sheen's superior and once friend, Cardinal Spellman was grooming Sheen to one day take his spot as Cardinal. However, in 1957, Spellman demanded that Sheen hand over funds to him, which were allotted to the poor. Sheen refused and Spellman vowed and delivered revenge. It was during this period of revenge in which Sheen wrote The Life of Christ, an amazing book and one that changed my life reading it. Also in this chapter is a beautiful exposition on the two thieves who were crucified on either side of Jesus. I'd recommend buying the book for this alone, but I am biased toward that Scriptural passage as I claim the Good Thief as my Confirmation saint.
This brief book is an excellent introduction to Fulton Sheen and his teachings. I was surprised by how much I learned about the man, as I considered myself well-versed in who he was. If you would like to better know this great man, what he taught, and what he believed I can think of no better book to start with than this one. May this book be used to inspire the next generation of American Catholics, and may Sheen's cause for canonization be re-opened and soon!
Zia begins his introduction by telling us that there are five aspects of Sheen that are relevant today and make his life attractive to us. They are as follows:
1. He was a contemporary American.
2. His sense of humor was legendary.
3. He was exceedingly wise.
4. He was a Catholic bishop.
5. His cooperation's with God's grace was crucial to the success of his ministry.
Zia then uses life stories and massive amounts of quotations of Sheen to instruct us on matters of the faith, such as Mary, the priesthood, the pope, the Eucharist, Confession, etc. The most interesting chapter to me was Chapter Three: On Suffering and Death.The chapter begins by telling of a trying ten years in Sheen's life. Sheen's superior and once friend, Cardinal Spellman was grooming Sheen to one day take his spot as Cardinal. However, in 1957, Spellman demanded that Sheen hand over funds to him, which were allotted to the poor. Sheen refused and Spellman vowed and delivered revenge. It was during this period of revenge in which Sheen wrote The Life of Christ, an amazing book and one that changed my life reading it. Also in this chapter is a beautiful exposition on the two thieves who were crucified on either side of Jesus. I'd recommend buying the book for this alone, but I am biased toward that Scriptural passage as I claim the Good Thief as my Confirmation saint.
This brief book is an excellent introduction to Fulton Sheen and his teachings. I was surprised by how much I learned about the man, as I considered myself well-versed in who he was. If you would like to better know this great man, what he taught, and what he believed I can think of no better book to start with than this one. May this book be used to inspire the next generation of American Catholics, and may Sheen's cause for canonization be re-opened and soon!
August 18, 2026
On September 24, 2026 at the Dome at America's Center in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, Bishop Fulton Sheen will be beatified becoming Blessed Fulton Sheen. One step away from full sainthood in the Catholic Church.
I wanted to read this book in preparation for the Denver Catholic Committee on Scouting Fall retreat on November 14, 2026 when Catholic Scouts of Colorado will be learning about this potential American Saint.
In ten chapters, the book covers essential Catholic teaching of Bishop Sheen:
1. Fulton J. Sheen: Teacher of the Faith
2. The Universal Call to Holiness
3. On Suffering and Death
4. The Sacrament of Confession
5. The Eucharist
6. The Priesthood
7. The Pope
8. Mary, the Mother of Jesus
9. Contraception and Abortion
10. Divorce and Remarriage
I wanted to read this book in preparation for the Denver Catholic Committee on Scouting Fall retreat on November 14, 2026 when Catholic Scouts of Colorado will be learning about this potential American Saint.
In ten chapters, the book covers essential Catholic teaching of Bishop Sheen:
1. Fulton J. Sheen: Teacher of the Faith
2. The Universal Call to Holiness
3. On Suffering and Death
4. The Sacrament of Confession
5. The Eucharist
6. The Priesthood
7. The Pope
8. Mary, the Mother of Jesus
9. Contraception and Abortion
10. Divorce and Remarriage
September 5, 2016
Deacon Billy Mitchell
Great book; from a future saint of Holy Mother the Church... Wish I could find more books by him that are actually by him.
Great book; from a future saint of Holy Mother the Church... Wish I could find more books by him that are actually by him.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews