It is the early days of television in one of the studios of TV network pioneer DuMont. There is a live audience gathered before a mock study, and all is quiet. The cameras start to roll. A door at the back of the set opens and out walks a remarkable figure.

He is dressed in a black cassock, and over his shoulders is a purple cape. A gold cross hangs on his chest while a red bishop’s cap is atop his head. He pauses and looks intently into the camera. Then he gestures dramatically towards his audience and begins his lecture with the word, “Friends.”

In 1953 on this TV show, this man gave a dramatized reading of the burial scene in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar in which he substituted the names of Soviet leaders for the principal characters of that play. Thus he ended with the line, “Stalin must one day meet his judgement.” The words proved to be prophetic, for within a week, Stalin died from a stroke.

So who was this remarkable person, an early television celebrity, the winner of an Emmy for “Most Outstanding Television Personality” in 1953, a frequent radio guest, an ardent opponent of Communism, and the author of 73 books? I am referring to Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. Few Catholic prelates have attained as much popularity and had as much influence on the general public as this intense, witty, and thoughtful man. So how did he do it?

The answer—at least in part—is through his skills as a speaker.

Sheen spoke in front of a live audience with no script or cue cards, so there is something very genuine about his presentation. What struck me most when I began to watch footage of Archbishop Sheen was his remarkable ability to connect with his audience while still maintaining an attitude of stateliness and authority.

He began many of his weekly TV broadcasts with the word, “Friends,” followed by a story or a joke—sometimes several. This simple method instantly draws the audience into what he has to say and allows them to meet him on common ground. In addition, he frequently used colorful examples to demonstrate important points, particularly when he taught a new concept to his audience. The tangibility of these examples allows the audience to grasp the idea more quickly—while remaining entertained. Story, humor, and instruction constantly mix and build upon each other, and Sheen balanced them all with a certain gentle dignity.

One of the most noteworthy things about Sheen was that he often addressed lofty and complex themes, whether philosophical, political, religious, or moral, yet he managed to make them accessible to any audience through his use of humor, example, and strong delivery. All of this attests to the power of great oration, the power of speech.

What were some key ingredients in Sheen’s success? Sheen spoke slowly, to the point of measured delivery slower than that of normal conversation. At times, he indulged in long, dramatic pauses. He thus added gravity and quiet intensity to his speeches—listening to Sheen, you feel that every word is important. This measured delivery arouses anticipation in the audience: What is he going to say next?

Sheen also brought drama to his presentation. To our modern ears, he sometimes sounds melodramatic, but in my opinion, this is really the key to his success. In his recordings, he grabs your attention and holds it through this dramatic delivery. This vivid conveyance convinces us of perhaps the single most important characteristic of a speaker: his passion. It brings everything he says to life and leaves you captivated by his words.

One of the most striking moments of Sheen’s capability for intense, dramatic speaking comes in a speech titled, “We Are in Two Wars,” in which he discussed the evils of Communism and the danger it poses to America. Near the end of this speech, he raised his voice in volume and intensity, he began to shake his hands, and stare penetratingly.

So our country is in danger on the outside; it’s in danger on the inside. We’re living in days of violence, but the wrong kind of violence. The good Lord said, ‘I came not to bring peace but the sword, violence.’ But not the kind of violence that hacks off the ear of the high priest like Peter. The other sword’s the sword that runs inward to self, cutting out some of this egotism and this pride and this violence and this want of respect for law in our country. That’s the kind of violence we need.

It is worth noting here, I think, Sheen’s emphasis on moral reform as a solution to political problems. That is part of what is unique about his approach. Change has to start with individuals, according to him. Sheen was, of course, more passionate about religion than anything, and it was from the perspective of Catholicism that he viewed everything.

What was the impact of Sheen’s great orations? Did he end a war? Cause a revolution? Not directly. But he touched and inspired countless lives with his positive messages about philosophy, morality, religion, and life in general. His show was the most widely viewed religious series in television history. Archbishop Sheen was responsible for many converts to Catholicism, including several celebrities such as the industrialist Henry Ford II, comedian Jackie Gleason, and the former communist Bella Dodd, who later exposed communist infiltrators in the U.S. Further, Sheen was instrumental in bringing Catholics into the national discussion about the issues of the time. Whether or not you agree with Sheen’s philosophy or theology, this is certainly an indication of his power as a communicator.

Though he died in 1979, Sheen’s legacy lives on through his books and the many video recordings we have of him. Sheen proved through his own successful preaching and his enduring popularity, even after his death, how powerful the art of oration can be.

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Image credit: public domain