[1] Nicknamed "the Labor Priest" in recognition of the help and support he gave to the Steel Workers union during his early career,[2] he also became a founding member of the Catholic Radical Alliance.
Describing the alliance in 1937, Hensler said:[3] "We contend that the relationship between Catholicism and Capitalism is one of fundamental opposition, which cannot be removed unless the ax of reform is laid to the very roots.
[6] A graduate of St. Joseph's parochial school, he earned Bachelor of Arts and Licentiate in Philosophy degrees from Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pennsylvania in 1920.
[14][15][16] His time there was challenging due to political unrest in the region and the escalating conflict between China and Japan, as well as the school's financial instability.
[17][18][19] By the end of 1933, he was back in Pittsburgh, celebrating Christmas masses as an assistant pastor at St. Lawrence Church.