Treasure in Clay: The Autobiography of Fulton J. Sheen

by Fulton J. Sheen

Treasure in Clay provides a lifetimeâ s worth of wisdom from one of the most beloved and influential figures in twentieth-century Catholicism.

Completed shortly before his death in 1979, Treasure in Clay is the autobiography of Fulton J. Sheen, the preeminent teacher, preacher, and pastor of American Catholicism.

Called â the Great Communicatorâ by Billy Graham and â a prophet of the timesâ by Pope Pius XII, Sheen was the voice of American Catholicism for nearly fifty years. In addition to his prolific writings, Sheen dominated the airwaves, first in radio, and later television, with his signature program â Life is Worth Living,â drawing an average of 30 million viewers a week in the 1950s. Sheen had the ears of everyone from presidents to the common men, women, and children in the pews, and his uplifting message of faith, hope, and love shaped generations of Catholics.

Here in Sheenâ s own words are reflections from his childhood, his years in seminary, his academic career, his media stardom, his pastoral work, his extensive travels, and much more. Readers already familiar with Sheen and as well as those coming to him for the first time will find a fascinating glimpse into the Catholic world Sheen inhabited, and will find inspiration in Sheenâ s heartfelt recollections. Treasure in Clay is a classic book and a lasting testament to a life that was worth living.

Genres: Catholic, Biography, Religion, Faith, Autobiography, Nonfiction, Christian

366 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

Fulton John Sheen was an American bishop of the Catholic Church known for his preaching and especially his work on television and radio. Ordained a priest of the Diocese of Peoria in Illinois, in 1919, Sheen quickly became a renowned theologian, earning the Cardinal Mercier Prize for International Philosophy in 1923. He went on to teach theology and philosophy at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. and served as a parish priest before he was appointed auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of New York in 1951. He held this position until 1966 when he was made bishop of the Diocese of Rochester in New York. He resigned as bishop of Rochester in 1969 as his 75th birthday approached and was made archbishop of the titular see of Newport, Wales.
For 20 years as "Father Sheen", later monsignor, he hosted the night-time radio program The Catholic Hour on NBC (1930–1950) before he moved to television and presented Life Is Worth Living (1952–1957). Sheen's final presenting role was on the syndicated The Fulton Sheen Program (1961–1968) with a format that was very similar to that of the earlier Life Is Worth Living show. For that work, Sheen twice won an Emmy Award for Most Outstanding Television Personality, and was featured on the cover of Time magazine. Starting in 2009, his shows were being re-broadcast on the EWTN and the Trinity Broadcasting Network's Church Channel cable networks. His contribution to televised preaching resulted in Sheen often being called one of the first televangelists.
The cause for his canonization was officially opened in 2002. In June 2012, Pope Benedict XVI officially recognized a decree from the Congregation for the Causes of Saints stating that he lived a life of "heroic virtues," a major step towards beatification, and he is now referred to as venerable. On July 5, 2019, Pope Francis approved a reputed miracle that occurred through the intercession of Sheen, clearing the way for his beatification. Sheen was scheduled to be beatified in Peoria on December 21, 2019, but his beatification was postponed after Bishop Salvatore Matano of Rochester expressed concern that Sheen's handling of a 1963 sexual misconduct case against a priest might be cited unfavorably in a forthcoming report from the New York Attorney General. The Diocese of Peoria countered that Sheen's handling of the case had already been "thoroughly examined" and "exonerated" and that Sheen had "never put children in harm's way".

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

With his signature elegance and insight, Bishop Sheen - the first and arguably only Catholic religious figure to become a true American celebrity in the media age - tells his life story, observes the world that emerged from the bloody tumult of the twentieth century, and shares some of his most cherished truths. An uplifting autobiography that makes you feel like its subject is sitting in the room talking with you. The man was an inexhaustible well of wisdom and I look forward to reading many other books by him.

[Celia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ramón Gerardo Antonio Estévez, known professionally as Martin Sheen, changed his name to Sheen because of his strong admiration for the Bishop. I know what he means because after reading Bishop Sheen's autobiography, I have learned a new appreciation and admiration for the Bishop as well.

There is something to like in each chapter. I especially appreciated Sheen's love for the Eucharist and his dedication to an hour a day with the Lord. I also learned a lot about the interpretation of specific words as the Bishops pondered over the wording of documents that resulted from Vatican II.

In the fall of 1951, Bishop Sheen began a television series entitled “Life Is Worth Living.” By 1956 the Bishop was appearing on 123 ABC television stations in the United States alone (not counting Canada) and 300 radio stations. It was estimated that he reached 30 million people each week.

Most of the book is light and humble, relaying to the reader how Sheen saw his life. His last chapter, however, although not heavy, is much more serious. In Chapter Twenty-One, he relates the three stages of his life. There is much to reflect on for both him and the reader.

This book also gives the opportunity to see Bishop Sheen from another's eyes as well. The homily from his funeral mass is included and shows how he was valued and his many accomplishments. I don't think you have to be a Catholic to enjoy this book. Many non-Catholics enjoyed his TV show and I think the same enjoyment will be provided by this book.

5 stars

[Ramón S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a man!!!! I love this biography!!! Santo subito!!!!
Reading it made want to love better the Lord and Our Lady.
I laughed and I cried.
Fulton Sheen pray for me a poor sinner

[Manny · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a way, Archbishop Fulton Sheen spans the Catholic Church in the 20th century. The soon-to-be canonized saint takes us through his life, his career in the media, his evangelization, his take on various theological arguments, his relationships with the various popes, his spirituality, and his engagement with the world. All the while he passes on wonderful wisdom. For instance, here he sums up what he learned as a teacher:

I felt a deep moral obligation to students; that is why I spent so many hours in preparation for each class. In an age of social justice one phase that seems neglected is the moral duty of professors to give their students a just return for their tuition. This applies not only to the method of teaching but to the content as well. A teacher who himself does not learn is no teacher. Teaching is one of the noblest vocations on earth, for, in the last analysis, the purpose of all education is the knowledge and love of truth.

In this autobiography, Bishop Sheen shows you all sides of his personality. He was a funny man, and there is humor. He was an introspective man, and he shares his inner thoughts. He was a compassionate man, and there is much gentility, understanding, and reaching out to all who need help. This is a wonderful read. Four and a half stars actually.

[Madeleine Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not usually drawn to biography or autobiography but having grown up with Archbishop Sheen on television and books on our library, I read this in honor of his upcoming canonization. This book is an impressive apologia from a man who, with humility and sacrifice, lived his vocation to the fullest, brought evangelism into the twentieth century with his extremely popular television series, wrote scores of inspiring books and articles, taught in universities, founded Catholic organizations, and met with important and powerful people all over the world without losing one ounce of his humility, and those he couldn't win over with his gifts of persuasion he disarmed with his (often self-deprecating) wit and humor. The final chapters in which he recounts his heart surgery and final struggles with pain and his ongoing efforts to save souls at every opportunity, offer valuable insights into why God permits suffering, with a nod to St. Paul's epistle to the Colossians, which every complaining Christian (including this reviewer) would do well to take to heart. If only our media today would learn from his example, the demons assaulting our culture would scatter and right reason could return to the halls of power.

[Joseph Raborg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any Christian would do well to read this edifying biography of Fulton Sheen. He led an interesting and varied life, helping many people find God along the way. His ideas are also fascinating as one can see in all his books.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Books are great friends; they always have something worthwhile to say to you when you pick them up. They never complain about being too busy and they are always at leisure to feed the mind.” (Sheen 80). Sheen’s quote is not only relatable but correct; books are always there, and those who read them can always get something out of them. In Sheen’s own book Treasure In Clay, Fulton J. Sheen shares his life story and experiences opening up the world to see what kinds of things bishops experience. Sheen’s book is a highly recommended read if one doesn’t mind learning about the Catholic faith and reading about God. Treasure In Clay is an ideal read because one can connect with Sheen and his experiences, and can take something with them from the book.

Any great story has a character that is relatable, a character that the reader can connect to on any sort of level. Fulton Sheen’s autobiography delivers in this area. Sheen had a sense of humor along with understandable reactions to everyday happenings. In one section he says, “In Sydney, I shared a room with a monsignor who had an extraordinary snore. It was a bubble snore combined with a dying gasp: it mediated between the gurgling of a baby and the death rattle of an octogenarian. If it had been a consistent snore I could have slept; but just when I was sure it was over, it would start again. Thank God he’s not married!” (Sheen 143). Most people cannot stand snoring or they learn to put up with it, he’s not used to it so to him it’s a nuisance. Most wives or maybe even husbands can relate to how annoying and disliked snoring can be. As anyone can also connect with, a person either fall into night owls or morning people. Sheen as well related to such a description. “At the beginning of my priesthood I would make the Holy Hour during the day or the evening. As the years mounted and I became busier, I made the Hour early in the morning, generally before Holy Mass. Priests, like everybody else, are divided into two classes: roosters and owls. Some work better in the morning, others at night.” (Sheen 199). Although many could not agree with becoming a priest or joining the priesthood, it can be agreed upon that everybody is divided between “roosters and owls”. We all have a preferred time when it comes to working.

His similarities aren’t the only thing that adds to his book. The little lessons and information that can be taken from him make it a great book. One, in particular, was a mini-lesson that he remembers someone else teaching him yet he still included it. Nonetheless, it has great advice in it that I took away from the book. “When I had completed the conditions for the agrégé of Louvain, I paid a visit to Cardinal Mercier. ‘Your Eminence, you were always a brilliant teacher; would you kindly give me some suggestions about teaching?’ ‘I will give you two: always keep current: know what the modern world is thinking about; read its poetry, its history, its literature; observe its architecture and its art; hear its music and its theater; and then plunge deeply into St. Thomas and the wisdom of the ancients and you will be able to refute its errors. The second suggestion: tear up your notes at the end of each year. There is nothing that so much destroys the intellectual growth of a teacher as the keeping of notes and the repetition of the same course the following year.’” (Sheen 52-53). Anyone who has given or will be giving a presentation always likes advice to make it better and can find this lesson helpful if they choose to listen to his advice. The first part could be an introduction or a way to start a connection with the audience tying it in with what is going to be talked about. The second will mostly help anyone who teaches who are teaching something to different students repeatedly year after year. Sheen was also helpful within his lesson in which he said, “A day or two before the actual broadcast I would “try out” my comprehension of the subject by giving the talk in Italian to an Italian professor who was a friend of mine and also in French to a member of the staff who spoke French fluently. I did this not because of the great expertise in either language but because I was forced to think out the ideas in another tongue and I knew that would help clarify the subject in my mind.” (Sheen 73). This little lesson that he recalled from his own experience can help anyone who wants to master a subject. Especially again, before giving a presentation. His idea of using more languages and wording help with having more plans for the actual presentation. Sheen recalled many other great lessons and experiences in his story that the reader can take away, outside of the reading world.

Treasure In Clay by Fulton J. Sheen was an excellent read because of how connected the reader is capable to be with him, and anyone who reads the book can find something to take with them after the book is done. His character was one that anyone can connect to on some level whether by thoughts or actions, and he gave great mini-lessons in the pages from end to end. Anyone, especially Catholics will enjoy reading about the experiences of such a holy man. To uncover more about who he was and what he did, you the reader must pick up their own copy of his autobiography. Fulton Sheen was quite the character in his book of his own life experiences, a book he shared with the world.

[Mary Helen Sherman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having known nothing about Fulton Sheen before reading this book, I went into it thinking I was going to learn about this man and his life and accomplishments but came out having learned more about his love for our Lord and really our Lord’s love for him which is what an autobiography should actually be. Highly recommend.

[Irene · Rating 3 out of 5]

This autobiography has become a Catholic classic. Bishop Sheen inspired many in his lifetime and many will continue to be inspired by his reflections in this book. But, despite his claim of humility, this is permeated with clerical elitism which detracted from this account of his life and ministry. 2.5 stars

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can hear his voice on every page. If you are very familiar with the way he speaks, what seems like boasting is nothing of the sort.

[Zachary Flessert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fulton Sheen seems to have been the first major television priest. In the cultural climate of the Cold War, it seems his lectures on Christianity, ethics and values, and against Communism where wildly popular. The Catholic version of Alan Watts, if you will. A bit offensive, I guess, given Sheen came first.

Can you be famous and still be holy? It seems Sheen struggled with this question, and this book is his apology.

But today, we can read such books in retrospect and see that Sheen’s implicit guilt does not even begin to cover what, or rather, who, was missed in his mission.

Easy enough to read, but a bit painful to listen to what sounds like your egoistic grandpa relating countless anecdotes, even if within those anecdotes are stories with seeds of true love, heroism, and charity. Sheen has the good sense to often lift up the lives of others.

[Qui Ton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title of the autobiography captures Fulton Sheen’s perspective of his relationship with Christ. Through the decades of his prolific and profound preaching, the countless conversions catalyzed through him, and his generosity expressed to the poor around the globe, he understood that all these good things came from the One who is Goodness Himself. With true humility, he recognizes that he was chosen from all eternity, as we all are, for his mission, to become a vessel for the Treasure that is Jesus Christ.

He recounts the sparks of his calling to the priesthood, present as early as he can remember, and even the episcopate. His gifted mind and even more-gifted heart impelled him to study, to teach, to preach, to give, to love. As TV’s first evangelist, he acquired fame that will likely never be reached again by a cleric in the United States; he won awards over the highest celebrities, received tens of thousands of letters a day, captured the attention of the crowds everywhere he went, and pursued with zeal to evangelize some of the most powerful figures in history and unlikely characters of everyday life.

But through all this, Fulton remained steadfast in his complete reliance on the Blessed Lord, keeping (and popularizing) the Holy Hour, and constantly emptying himself of any hint of pride. This story narrates the inner thoughts, motivations, and desires of a saint, which all are directed to Christ. With his turmoils inside and outside the Church, he attributes the suffering to God, who through the endurance would glorify him and others.

Even with the honor of being the voice of Catholicism in America, he hesitates to write a narrative about himself in fear of being mistaken for the Treasure rather than the clay. I’m glad he did write it, because now we see the Divine Light reflected in this faithful shepherd, this “loyal son of the Church”, the Great Preacher of the Gospel.

He starts by saying that this is not his true autobiography. The real autobiography “was written twenty-one centuries ago, published and placarded in three languages, and made available to everyone in Western civilization.” He ends the chronicle of his life with a statement that reveals the mysterious and overwhelming love of Jesus in his life: “the greatest gift of all may have been His summons to the Cross, where I found His containing self-disclosure.”

[Patrick Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though I certainly respected him, I had no particular affinity for Fulton Sheen before reading this book. In fact, I only borrowed it to read the chapter on Vatican II. However, I was quickly captivated by Sheen's writing.
His true humility is striking, and is matched by his incredible zeal for souls. It's clear that Sheen delighted in seeing how the Lord worked in his life, and that's a delight he shares with the reader. The book could probably best be described as Sheen sharing that delight. It made a deep impression on me.

I came to this book expecting a quick look at a research interest. I left it edified, inspired, and convinced its author is a Saint.

Ven. Fulton Sheen, pray for us!

[Ed · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember watching my father watch Bishop Sheen on our 1950 black and white TV. More interested in Davy Crockett, I was too young to comprehend his lectures but with age comes understanding and my admiration for this brilliant Catholic thinker and evangelist. The book spans the years from his early days growing up on a farm in Indiana, the realization of his vocation, his third world missionary work to his wildly successful radio and TV period. I found the Bishop's life not only fascinating in and of itself but spiritually uplifting especially now as we all quarantine.

[Pop · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Real Treasure. Thank You Bishop Sheen!

When I was just a boy of about twelve I was the adopted son of my Grandparents. They weren’t Catholic, I wasn’t anything religious. However I have to reflect that I probably was converted to the Catholic faith a little later from the fact that every Sunday evening my Grandparents and I sat, watched and listened to Bishop Sheen’s black and white TV broadcast. Reading his audio biography has brought back those wonderful memories.

[Fr. Matt Davied · Rating 5 out of 5]

I desire to live my priesthood differently after reading this book. This man is an authority in my life, an unavoidable attractiveness.

[Joey W · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really good. It told the story of his life pretty well and in a way that wasn't boring. the last chapter was a little hard because it was some pretty deep and theological reflections on his life.
All in All, it's a good way to learn about Sheen's inspiring life.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this in a box of books when cleaning my in-laws' garage.

Having some familiarity with Sheen via old tv clips, I went back and watched several. It's easy to pick up what made him so popular. He could lead off with humor, but before you knew it, the afterburners were lit and it was a lesson on human nature, the state of Americans' mental health due to self-imposed stress (if he only knew then...), the all too present Communist threat, etc.

Sheen died in late 1979, a year after the beginning of John Paul II's papacy. He predicted once having met him that he'd be one of the most influential popes of all time, especially for his stance against a continuing Soviet menace in Eastern Europe.

[Kerstin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fulton Sheen was a remarkable man. He educated millions on the faith with his radio and TV programs, he travelled the world on missionary trips, wrote books and was an eminent teacher throughout his 60 years as a priest. The calling to the priesthood came early in childhood, and he lived it with tireless energy, humility, and passion. What impressed me was his extensive, detail-oriented preparation for his homilies and lectures. He had such a passion to save souls, to share the faith, and live a holy life. He also had a tremendous grasp on the ills of our culture, much of which is still with us today.

[Michelle Halliwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an inspiring story that makes a good case for the canonization of the Venerable Fulton Sheen. Although he overcome many attacks within the Church, he continued to praise Jesus with his considerable talents. Moreover, this book is gracefully written. It does not address any of the political problems which the Venerable Sheen faced.

The book has myriad advice on how to succeed in media and academia. It is replete with a plethora of wisdom. Written by a mere man who tried his best to glorify Christ with his life, this book will continue to glorify Christ down through the ages. God bless the Venerable Fulton Sheen.

[Thadeus · Rating 4 out of 5]

The chapter on teaching was great! Applicable to anyone who is an instructor.

Truly insightful look at the life of a servant of God and person who spread the Gospel.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as excellent the second time around. Definitely one of those books worth rereading. That's saying a lot.

[Peter Nguyen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to this book through Hoopla. First book finished in 2023, an entertaining and mostly light-hearted autobiography of Bp. Fulton Sheen. It's an interesting insight into 20th century Catholicism in the United States; Fulton Sheen has lots of humor and a tremendous heart toward the conversion of souls. Sheen is extremely faithful to the authority of the Roman Pontiff (maybe to the excess of hyperpapalism at times) and gives another enlightening lens to view the Second Vatican Council. I wish he did speak about the Novus Ordo Missae, however, when discussing the troubled times following the closing of the council.

Overall, I wish we had more shepherds like Bp. Sheen. May he be canonized soon.

[Christopher Blosser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cardinal Sheen strikes me as the kind of priest who if one likened to a saint, would issue a stern repudiation of the claim -- moved by a deep humility (his acknowledgement of his own imperfections and unworthiness runs throughout his recollections, attributing all he has accomplished -- and what he accomplished is amazing -- to Christ).

At the same time, I found it difficult to read his autobiography and wonder, "how is it that this man hasn't YET been heralded as a saint?" One cannot help but be moved by his character, his writing and his insight.

Venerable Fulton Sheen, pray for us!

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a slow starter for me. I hadn't ever seen Fulton Sheen's tv show or read any of his books before, so it took me a while to understand his tone and voice. At the beginning, he sounded egocentric, but as I finished the book, I saw his true humility. It's hard to hear tone and voice in the first person. He definitely was a great man who accomplished so much through his cooperation with God. I particularly liked the chapter on the Holy Hour. He was never negative of others in the book, so the chapters about his family and Vatican II were disappointingly general.

[Johannes · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I ever happen to say something that sounds quite profound over the course of the next few months, chances are, it is something I lifted from soon-to-be-beatified Fulton J. Sheen. Eg., (1) "A smile is laughter's whisper, and has its roots in the soul." and (2) "Books are the most wonderful friends in the world. When you meet them and pick them up, they are always ready to give you a few ideas. When you put them down, they never get mad; when you pick them up again, they seem to enrich you all the more."

[Aaron Rapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember people used to ask me, “if you could have a conversation over a meal, with one deceased person, who would it be?” I would always say a conventional answer, like a dead President or great great great grandfather. Now I would confidently say Venerable Fulton Sheen. What a brilliant man, and excellent story teller. I would pick his brain regarding the Second Vatican Council and how being in the inner circle of New York celebrities effected his episcopacy. God love you!

[Aaron Crofut · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved and disliked this book. When Sheen focused on the beauty and truth of the Faith, there were few better or more interesting. When Sheen focused on Sheen, the opposite quickly becomes true. I at least get the feeling that Sheen himself knew that. Certain chapters are productive mines for meditation, others will be pretty barren.

[Rita · Rating 3 out of 5]

While in grade school we had to listen to Bishop Sheen every Tuesday evening and report what he talked about in school the next day. He was on prime time television and even though he was opposite the beloved Milton Burl he consistanty won the audience in that time slot. Now this good man is on his way to canonization. I thought it a good idea to read about him and follow him through the process. This book is his autobiogreaphy and was finished shortly before his death. It gave the facts about his life and explained how he became such a wonderful speaker. I look forward to reading more of his books and to one day celebrating St. Bishop Sheen!

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've highlighted more sections in this book than possibly any book I've ever read. Bishop Sheen combines eloquence with simple and direct analogies, distilling the complex so it is easily understood. His writing alone is worth reading, and when coupled with the depth and substance of the content, makes this a must read. Written at the end of his life, Bishop Sheen's wisdom, humility, and experience shine through. Reading this you feel as if you know the good Bishop, and perhaps recognizing his own magnetic personality, he continually, lovingly, seems devotedly points to Christ. I look forward to reading more by him, to grow in my own love and faith.