Simple Truths: Thinking Life Through With Fulton J. Sheen

by Fulton J. Sheen

Brimming with rich and life-changing words of wisdom from one of this century's most beloved Catholic writers, this book touches on virtually every aspect of the human condition. Paperback

Genres: Religion, Catholic, Christianity, Nonfiction

160 pages, Paperback

First published December 30, 1997

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

[Rita Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I get back to reading more often, I wanted to start light and with my new favorite spiritual figure and future saint. There's so much truth and goodness in this little book (160 pages). every sentence is a worthy quote to share. This book is literary full of simple truths. As stated in the book info page, it’s Brimming with rich and life-changing words of wisdom from one of this century's most beloved Catholic writers, Fulton J.Sheen. This book touches on virtually every aspect of the human condition. The book is divided into four parts, Living in faith, living in hope, living in love and living in truth. in every part there is a collection of quotes by Fulton on the topic. I found myself in awe and having an aha! moment after each page. I started reading the minute I pulled it from the library shelf and I couldn’t put it down until it was almost done as I had enough time waiting for a friend to catch up on life and spend some quality time together. I finished it later at home, but I almost didn’t want to as i do with other books i find myself drown to deeply because i’m not too good at goodbyes even with books. Although, I try to convince myself that I am, especially after listening to the beautiful song “Too good at goodbye” by Sam Smith. There’s power in music and song lyrics, for sure. A book like this becomes almost like a obsession and you know that once you’re done reading it, it won’t be news anymore, but i’m quite content with that because I know that I will spend a life time applying these truths to my life as even if they are simple, they are not easy. My view of life these days is basically this, life is pretty simple, but definitely not easy. if it’s ever easy then it’s simply the countless blessings from God aligning with hard work and a sprinkle of good luck. We tend to complicate things, but it’s not meant to be complicated if you follow God and trust him because you will be filled with clarity, truth and joy regardless of your circumstances and everything that life throws at you. Life is hard, yes, but it’s simple when you know God through his words and through his people like Fulton J sheen in these simple truths.
*read more reviews and writing on my blog: callmepearl.me

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a very easy read. It has many thoughts that speak to the soul. Some examples of those quotes include:

--meditation show great discoveries to discover what we really are and what you are on the way to becoming.

--there are no limits to the truth you can know, to the life you can live, to the you can enjoy, and to the beauty you can experience.

I am sure that this is the type of book to read and reread and you will find something new each time that touches your soul.

[Princess Kaye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly this book I pick up from a library was a gem I never thought, there's no cover title but a hardbound blank but a content itself is full of wisdom that is useful in my daily reflections in life, this is really helpful through the journey of my spiritually to God, to deepen my relationship with God and the people. This book is a treasure and I'll look to other of his works, hoping to find through online bookshops.

[Michasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

błagam dodajcie ją na goodreads po polsku 😭❤️‍🩹 („Proste prawdy na całe życie”)

Cudowna książka, pełna mądrości. Potrzebowałam tych słów. Pochłonęłam 222 str w 1,5h 💞

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

"Welcomed or rejected, recognized or ignored, God is in every fold of our nature." (136)

"In each child, God whispers a new secret to the world; adds a new dimension of immortality to creation." (137)

[J Crossley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a nice collection of Fulton Sheen's essays.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

respect. enough good nuggets to warrant a 3 star.