How Archbishop Sheen, a philosophy professor, became 'God's microphone'

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen began using radio for evangelization while serving as a professor at The Catholic University of America in Washington. After his first radio appearance in 1928, he received numerous invitations to speak on radio programs across the country.

Before his radio career, Sheen completed doctoral studies at the University of Louvain in Belgium and earned the agrégé honor following postdoctoral work and a book publication. He returned to The Catholic University of America in 1926 as a faculty member. During this time, he published the book Religion without God in 1928, which served as a sequel to his dissertation, God and Intelligence.

Sheen also delivered Lenten sermons at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Manhattan starting in 1926. His work included lecturing to various campus groups, participating in the American Catholic Philosophical Association, and leading retreats for religious women, including the Sisters of the Holy Child Jesus.