Gradient Mask

There isn’t away that I have found to achieve an effect like this. Though I have seen other websites that have ahieved the effect I am looking for. Basically it deals with letters, like A for example.

The mask would make it look like the A is somewhat showing up with a radial mask, with corners blending into the background until the full letter is shown.

I will work on presenting an example of what I am talking about. In the mean time if any of you grasp what I am trying to say just by reading this, feel free to lend me your advice. Thanks a lot.