A week ago, my wife Beth and I traveled to St. Louis to attend the beatification Mass of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. The celebration brought together clergy, religious, families, and thousands of faithful whose lives have been touched by his witness. Being present was a powerful reminder that holiness is not just a reality of the past. It remains alive and urgently needed in our world today.

As I stood among the over 50,000 who came to honor this remarkable servant of God, one thought kept returning to me: if Archbishop Sheen were alive today, he would be recognized as one of the most effective Gospel influencers the Church has ever known.

Long before social media transformed communication, Sheen mastered the art of reaching hearts through the media tools of his time. His Emmy Award-winning television program Life Is Worth Living attracted audiences of up to 30 million viewers each week, while his radio broadcasts reached millions more. Armed with little more than a chalkboard, a warm smile, and a compelling message, he made the Gospel approachable, personal, and hopeful. He did more than use media; he helped shape the culture.

What made him so influential?

First, Sheen saw media as a missionary field. Much like today’s evangelizers use podcasts, livestreams, and social platforms, he used radio and television to meet people where they were. He communicated with clarity, beauty, and a deep understanding of the human heart. His message was simple, yet profoundly meaningful.

Second, he communicated truth with charity. In an age when conversations often become divisive and harsh, Sheen’s approach remains refreshing. He did not seek to win arguments; he sought to win souls. He invited rather than condemned, encouraged rather than shamed, and drew people toward Christ through authenticity and trust. His influence was rooted not in controversy but in the peace and joy he radiated.

Third, his public presence was always grounded in mission. As National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies, he inspired tremendous support for missionary work worldwide. His broadcasts were never about promoting himself. They were about building the Kingdom of God.

Pope Leo XIV recently reflected on Sheen’s legacy, calling him “a light of faith, hope, and love” whose evangelization touched millions including the pope himself as a child. That is the mark of a true influencer: someone whose witness lives long after the camera stops rolling.

As we celebrate his beatification and give thanks for his life, we are reminded that the world still needs modern‑day influencers of the Gospel. Sheen shows us how to do it with clarity, charity, courage, and joy. May his example inspire each of us to bring Christ’s light into every corner of our own daily lives.