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Treasure in Clay: The Autobiography of Fulton J. Sheen

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Many people who were alive in the '50s and '60s are familiar with wit and wisdom of Archbishop Fulton Sheen from his television show, "Life is Worth Living." Sadly, I never saw or heard the man while he was alive, but I have been fortunate enough to hear tapes of many of his conferences. I bought Treasure in Clay because I wanted to know more about the man, Fulton Sheen. What comes through in his television shows and tapes is but a small fraction of the remarkable works this man accomplished in his life. Treasure in Clay is a wonderfully inspiring book that I believe shows how one man's example of living life to the fullest can be achieved by all of us. Sheen discusses his childhood, his early priesthood, his university studies, and his life as a priest. He shares conversion stories, travel stories, humor, and wisdom that is just as applicable today as it was when he shared it with us decades ago. Not only will you gain a greater appreciation for what Archbishop Sheen accomplished in his life (and wonder how he found the time to do it all!), you will also read valuable lessons that you can apply to better your own.

Fulton J Sheen is one of America's Best Known and loved Catholic Bishops in the 20th Century. Known mostly for his great oratory skills on his TV program "Life is Worth Living"

To say that the autobiography of Fulton J Sheen is a treasure would not be an understatement at all. All of Fulton Sheen's wit insight and warmth is in this book. Unlike autobiographies of other great orators Bishop Sheen's Autobiography carries all the emotion and humor of his speaches with out losing any appeal.

Among the many great insights in this book are Sheen on his autobiography: "Carlye was wrong in saying that 'there is no life of a man faithfully recorded'. Mine was! The ink used was blood, the parchment was skin the pen a spear. over eighty chapters make up the book, each for a year of my life. Though I pick it up every day it never reads the same. The more I lift my eyes from it's pages the more I feel the need of doing my own autobiography that all might see what I want them to see. But the more I fasten my gaze on it, the more I see that everything worthwhile in it was received as a gift from Heaven. Why then should I glory in it?"

Sheen on Communism "Communism also has a complete philosophy... If one starts with the wrong assumption and is logical from that point on , he will never get back to the road of truth. Communism is a religion ... That is why it appeals to those who are without faith and why Soviet Russia is today (WAS) regarded as the last hope of the western man who lives without God."

There are numours great Quotes and stories/antidotes in this book on subjects ranging from missionaries and conversions to reflections on various Popes, to teaching and Celibacy.

Treasure in clay is a great book written by one of the twentieth centurie's greatest Catholics

This is a charming book. If you've read other books by Archbishop Sheen, or remember his television lectures, then you must read "Treasure in Clay." And you needn't read the chapters in the order they were written. Depending on your mood, you might want to read "The Lighter Side," or the chapter about Our Lady, or "The Hour that Makes My Day" -- about his unwavering devotion to Eucharistic adoration. You might want to read about the Second Vatican Council, and the ebullient camaraderie that characterized the sessions (evidenced by some of the bishops playfully exchanging sacred limericks). You can read about Communism -- Sheen's chapter on this subject is a needed corrective to the historical lassitude that fails to convey the menace of this abominable ideology.

There are anecdotes about FDR and about Humphrey Bogart. There are stories of conversions which Sheen helped bring to fruition; there is the note that the octogenarian archbishop received from a boy of fi!ve or six: "I hop you have a happy Birthday, and I hop you will be Pop."

"Treasure in Clay" gives us laughter and devotion, humor and courage, poetry and the Cross, and a fine tribute to John Paul II, newly elected as this book was being written. There is much to treasure in "Treasure in Clay."

Without question, Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen was the greatest priest-apologist of the twentieth century. Others might reasonably argue for Msgr. Ronald Knox to hold that crown, but I still give that title to Sheen. Knox was a modern Renaissance man, and wrote extensively and with great eloquence, but Sheen is the embodiment of the scriptural adage that "faith comes by hearing." He wrote just as extensively on matters of faith as Msgr. Knox, but he reached more souls because he opened electronic media to the gospel message. Not just Catholics, but also Protestants and even Jews tuned in to watch and listen to the world's first televangelist -- a Catholic priest!

This is the book to read to begin to know Fulton Sheen, the man. From his childhood in the rural Midwest, to his European university days, to a priesthood that spanned sixty years, this book covers a life truly worth living. Sheen recounts his forays into radio and television, relates stories of taking the gospel to all men -- from the famous to the obscure (and always saying that he never counted how many conversions "he made," for fear he would begin to believe that he had made them), gives personal glimpses into his private spiritual life (anyone devoted to Sheen should read his chapter on the Holy Hours he made), and even tickles his reader's funny bone (loved the story of the telegram he sent a Jewish friend).

Not long before he died, John Cardinal O'Connor of New York City opened a provisional cause to investigate the possibility of Archbishop Sheen's canonization. If he, by God's providence, is one day canonized, I look forward to the possibility that maybe one day, God willing, this twentieth century priest-apologist might be recognized as a Doctor of the Church. Fulton Sheen, pray for us!

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen greeted Pope John Paul II on his first visit to New York as Pope in October 1979. "You've written and spoken well of the Lord Jesus," said the still-new pontiff as the men embraced. "You're a loyal son of the church."

A torch was passed that day. Both educated, articulate men tactically understood and despised Communism almost as deeply as they adored Christ, His Mother, the Church He founded and they served. Above all, each followed Cardinal Mercier's wise words to Sheen as his ministry started: "Keep current, understand what the modern world is thinking about;...then plunge deeply into ...the wisdom of the ancients and you will be able to refute its errors."

"Treasures in Clay," Sheen's rich autobiography finished less than a month before his death, reveals his legacy as a faith-filled instructor. He taught religion and philosophy at two of the world's finest universities (Louvain in Belgium and Catholic U. in Washington). He served as head of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith and became a best-selling author, columnist, worldwide radio and television celebrity in those mediums' first decade. He then emptied his attained money and celebrity into promoting the Gospel and Roman Catholic faith, accepting an Emmy while thanking his writers: "Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John."

Anyone reading or watching Bishop Sheen's best-selling book and TV series, "Life is Worth Living," will know and appreciate his narrative tone. He chronicles his path from professor to one of Catholicism's beloved public figures, by placing philosophical discourse beside self-effacing anecdotes beside personal, inspirational devotion. He describes attempts worldwide to convert crowds from Army bases to prisons. He shares intimate conversion stories with the well-known (Claire Booth Luce, Communist editor Louis Budenz) where he comforts as well as instructs those morally and spiritually lost.

Sheen is equally honest about his pains and disappointments. He points to converts who didn't keep to the faith, the church property he couldn't give away to low-cost housing, even his physical pain following open-heart surgery. He cites an episode in a leper colony where you can still feel his shame and guilt over his actions and missed opportunity.

"Treasure In Clay" also explains the bonds linking priests to each other, to their bishop, to Mary (to whom Sheen dedicates the chapter, "The Lady I Love") and their Holy Father, the Pope. He shares anecdotes of Papal meetings, explaining and predicting John Paul II gifts and legacy dead-on.

Sheen, in the front row of the 1960s religious and social revolution, also attempted to reset Catholicism's dividing line post-Vatican II between social justice and the need to save individuals from sin. He provides a welcome look into the Vatican Council's inner workings, from its need for linguistic precision to anecdotes and even limericks.

Before 1979 ended, Sheen's body would rest in St. Patrick's Cathedral. His passing came the day after the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, answering his prayer to die on one of Mary's feast days. His funeral (and eulogy by Archbishop Edward O'Meara in the book's final pages) ended a life and priestly career begun amid World War I's smoldering ruins. He'd live to see John Paul II's papacy start and with it, youth culture's communication tools and techniques joined with timeless truth and love of the human person. This would help defeat Communism and begin a new evangelization, which Sheen yearned for since dramatizing and predicting Stalin's death less than a month before the fact.

Fulton Sheen lived his life in the world but not of it, using wit, eloquence, debating skill, and philosophical mastery to save as many to Christ as he could. All this amidst the 20th century's most tumultuous years. His TV shows still air on Catholic media and his campaign for sainthood has begun in earnest, yet "Treasure in Clay" generously demonstrates God's gifts to Fulton Sheen. Beside "Life Is Worth Living," it belongs in any faith-filled library.

This is a wonderful book showing how a priest can live in the world, yet not become a "worldling". His sanctity is shown by his brilliant writing styling and his description of his life. Despite struggles of all kinds, Archbishop Sheen persevered, trying to fulfill God's Will in his life to the fullest. He is a very learned man, and a great apologist for those looking for information regarding Catholic apologetics. But one of the things that most amazed me about Sheen is his ability to love Jesus, and be able to find Him in the world and in sinners, trying his hardest to bring God into their life and thus, the world. If you're looking for an inspirational book for your parish priest, this would be a great selection, if he has not read it, because I'm sure this priest will one day become a Saint.

Archbishop Sheen by the grace of God was given enough time on earth to write this book. He died a few days upon its completion. His television show was engaging enough to capture the rapt attention of child and adult alike. As does this book.

We learn of his life from the time as a child being raised by his Christian parents and the ethics they instilled in him. Through his early priesthood, his studies and his life long vocation as a priest. It even includes his experience at the Second Vatican Council. He leaves nothing out of his life, his mistakes, his sins his love are all laid out for us to learn from.

His life is truly inspirational and should be read by every priest. In his own words he always lets us know he never felt worthy of any of his accomplishments and knew all he did was by the grace of God. A true great teacher of the twentieth centaury. this book is a treasure to be read and cherished.

. . . of one of the most prominent Catholics in 20th century America.

Archbishop Fulton Sheen, with the same wit and wisdom which characterized his popular radio and television shows, takes us from the days of his early life, through his years as a student and academic, culminating in his ministry as a priest and bishop in Christ's Church.

In addition to the necessary autobiographical information, the book is infused with humor and anecdotes, including a very funny section on the wit of several of the bishops present at the Second Vatican Council.

Throughout the book, Archbishop Sheen's love of Christ, the Church, and the Blessed Virgin Mary shine clearly through. This book was a true labor of love, finished only a few days prior to his death.

I grew up listening to Bishop Sheen when he was on TV. (There's my age for you!). So I was curious about his biography. His style of writing is the same as his teachings - his personal history is interspersed with his great sense of humor. I loved it.

The details in this autobiography help explain why Billy Graham called Fulton Sheen the "greatest communicator of the twentieth century."

Modern communicators should be interested in his explanation of the approach and strategy behind the messages in his television shows (primarily in sixth chapter, but also in the fifth).