Fulton J. Sheen (1895–1979)

“The Wisdom of Fulton Sheen” is a collection of writings and sayings for each day of ther year from one of the first televangelists. I read it as suggested, an entry a day over the year. Some focus on God, “I wonder maybe if our Lord does not suffer more from our indifference, than he did from the crucifixion”. Others call us to introspection, “When our conscience bothers us, whether we admit it or not, we often try to justify it by correcting others or by finding fault in them.” show more

My favorite is a comment on our society, that, in my opinion, still rings true today. “America, it is said, is suffering from intolerance-it is not. It is suffering from tolerance. Tolerance of right and wrong, truth and error, virtue and evil, Christ and chaos. Our country is not nearly so overrun with the bigoted as it is overrun with the broadminded.”

Tolle Lege, pick up and read. Whether at one setting or throughout the year, savor the gems of wisdom from Venerable Servant of God Fulton J. Sheen. show less

Most people are still actively searching for true and lasting happiness, but are looking in the wrong places. It's easy to be misled into believing that happiness is found in money, rank, or renown. While these things are not inherently bad, and can in fact be used to do much good, they will, in the final analysis, not bring a happiness that endures.

Once we realize that nothing less than a complete union with God will satisfy our souls, we will not let transitory things distract or show more disappoint us. This is because then, according to Fulton Sheen, you put no more hope in things than they can bear. You cease looking for first-rate joys where there are only tenth-rate pleasures.

In addition to addressing the topic of joy vs. pleasure in Finding True Happiness, Fulton Sheen also helps us gain the right perspective on things such as loneliness and the secret of sanctity. This brings us to our ultimate purpose, which is found in God alone. Only by losing oneself in God, will we find our true selves—and true happiness along with it. show less

“There is nothing more tragic in all the world than wasted pain.” What a beautiful little book, filled with depth in simple language! I will be returning to this one for sure.

Definitely written during the rise of Freudian psychoanalysis, and all of Sheen's contempt for the same. Other than the distaste for the practice of clinical psychology that's really, I suspect, intended as a critique of Freud specifically, this was a truly excellent work of theology and exegesis.