Book Reviews2 Treasure in Clay: The Autobiography of Fulton J. Sheen

Nov 6, 2009

I once told a Benedictine nun she had a good sense of humor. She said, “See, we're people too.” Most women don't leave their personalities or their humanity at the door when they enter the cloister.

After reading his autobiography, I think the same thing could be said about Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. “Priests are people too,” he would say. Sheen's primary focus in writing the story of his life was neither to create a list of his accomplishments nor to impress a particular audience. Instead, Sheen's personable writing and frank tone draw the reader into the book and introduce them to an American, a priest, a child of God, and a new friend and brother in Christ.

In his writing, one of Sheen's greatest assets is his humility, another is his honesty, and the last is definitely his humor. No one can read this autobiography of the man whom Billy Graham called “the Great Communicator,” whom Pope Pius XII called “a prophet of the times” and to whom Pope John Paul said, “You have written and spoken well of the Lord Jesus. You are a loyal son of the Church” without getting to know the human being behind the famous archbishop, the nationally recognized telecaster, the international traveler.

What “Treasure in Clay” isn't is a chronological narrative of a life, nor is it a detailed encyclopedia article about a famous person. What it most assuredly is, is a window into the life of a soul who struggled to love God, to live his vocation and to use his talents for something besides his own glory.

Sheen opens his book with a narrative of his education and a description of his family life before diving into a number of specific topics such as the making of converts, priestly celibacy, being a bishop, the missions, daily holy hours, attending the Second Vatican Council, and Marian devotion, among others. Each of these chapters could stand alone as a tale of their own. But together they both acquaint the reader with a man who pioneered the media they now take for granted and form that same reader into a more knowledgeable Catholic.

Sheen never wastes a word. His humor in describing the “683 zillion mosquitoes” in Batavia, Java, half of whom “bivouacked in his bedroom and held their maneuvers in your sleeves, drills in your trousers, and attack in formation when disturbed” is matched by the seriousness with which he addresses his priestly vocation to victim-hood, to offering himself for the world as Christ did.  He is quick to inform the reader that he “didn't see a single Siamese cat in Siam” and even quicker to reiterate the absolute necessity of making a daily holy hour to one's spiritual health and well-being. Though the reader closes the book thinking he or she has shared many of Sheen's personal experiences in traveling, talking to dignitaries, or making converts, Sheen has used each of his experiences to teach his reader about human nature, divine mercy, the sacraments, and the significance of a vocation. Flipping back through the book, one can't help but be stunned at how much one learned, at the quantity of experiential and tactile information Sheen has presented.

This book is not heavy. There are no headaches over heavy theology or impossible philosophy within its pages. Though it is nearly 400 pages, it reads faster than the first Harry Potter book. And though its about one man's life, it is never, ever boring. “Treasure in Clay” is an obvious recommendation for those who want to know more than the time line of Fulton Sheen's life and accomplishments. But it also an amazing recommendation for those who need to know that it is possible to be fully human and fully happy within the Church. Lastly, I would recommend Sheen's autobiography to anyone who needs a good dose of Christian hope and humor.

Fulton Sheen's TV program was called “Life is Worth Living.” His life really was worth living, as is every human life. Reading his book reminds the individual that it is possible to live that life, whatever the individual circumstances or ministry may be. Do yourself a favor this winter and warm your soul with this inspiring and introspective autobiography.