LATROBE, PA – In anticipation of Archbishop Fulton John Sheen’s beatification later this month, Dr. Emily Arledge, C’15, will explore the prelate’s contributions to American Catholicism and lasting influence of his preaching, writing and pioneering use of media.
Arledge, a visiting assistant professor of history in the School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at Saint Vincent College, wrote a portion of her dissertation on Sheen, who was revered for his contributions to televised preaching.
“My dissertation, ‘Enshrining Memory: The Production of an American Catholic Past,’ examined how American Catholic shrines function as sites of public history,” Arledge said. “They normally feature some type of heritage tourism element like a museum, historic walking tour or costumed interpretation. I studied two museums dedicated to the history of Fulton Sheen, although one no longer exists. The founder of the defunct museum started it as a passion project. Acquiring a railcar, she planned to use it as an ecumenical prayer space since Sheen once met the famed southern Baptist evangelist Billy Graham on a train. My talk will share some information about Sheen’s life and how people remember him.”
Archbishop Sheen taught theology and philosophy at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and later became bishop of the Diocese of Rochester, New York. During his early years as a priest, and later, monsignor, he hosted the radio show “The Catholic Hour.” Later, on TV, he presented “Life is Worth Living” from 1952-1957, for which he won an Emmy Award, and “The Fulton Sheen Program” from 1961-1968.
Archbishop Sheen’s beatification is scheduled for Sept. 24 in St. Louis, Missouri.
“A Loyal Son of the Church: The Life and Legacy of Fulton Sheen” is scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 15, at 4 p.m. in Anselm Hall room 220. The talk is sponsored by the Saint Vincent Center for Catholic Thought and Culture (CCTC).
There is no required registration. Attendees are asked to park in Lot H next to Leander Hall.
Interested attendees with questions are encouraged to contact Dr. Lucas Briola, C’13, Endowed Chair in Catholic Thought and Culture, CCTC director, associate professor and chair of the Theology Department housed in AHSS, at lucas.briola@stvincent.edu.
