It is my hope and prayer that Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen will be beatified and canonized very soon! I strongly feel that our culture needs a saint like Sheen - a man who loved Christ and His Church and who engaged the most modern forms of media to evangelize the world. Archbishop Sheen, through his writing, speaking, and radio and television shows, spread the Good News of our Lord and our faith to millions of people. He fought communism and converted many to the Catholic Faith. He had a strong devotion to the Eucharist, loved our Blessed Mother Mary, and found great joy in being a priest. However, my strong devotion to Fulton Sheen is rooted in a much more personal reason.
The (alleged) Miracle
On September 16, 2010 my son, James Fulton, was delivered at home, a stillborn. CPR was administered, 911 was called, James was transported to a hospital, and after 61 minutes of being without a pulse - just as the doctors were prepared to call time of death - my son came back to life. The doctors believed there would be massive organ damage from the lack of oxygen which meant James would die very soon. When he didn't die they believed he would be a "vegetable" and when it was clear that he wouldn't be dependent on machines they warned us that he would be severely disabled.
From the very beginning and throughout it all my husband, family, friends, and I asked for a miraculous full restoration through the intercession of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, for whom we had named our son. Over the months it became increasingly clear to us that God had answered our prayers and those of Fulton Sheen. Believing that God had worked a miracle on our son we contacted the Sheen Foundation who then opened an investigative tribunal into the alleged miracle.
It has been eight years since James was born. Today he is in second grade - a normal little boy who loves french fries, Star Wars, fishing, and riding his bike.
Timeline of Bishop Sheen's Cause, as relating to James
On September 14, 2002 the Congregation for the Causes of Saints officially opens Fulton Sheen's cause and gives him the title "Servant of God." The Diocese of Peoria, Illinois is the promoter of the cause.
On December 11, 2011 the three month long tribunal investigating James' alleged miracle is officially closed in a ceremony at the Cathedral in Peoria, Illinois.
On June 28, 2012 Pope Benedict XVI declared Fulton Sheen "Venerable". The next day the Sheen Foundation stated that they would be submitting James' story as the official alleged miracle for the beatification of Venerable Fulton Sheen.
In March 2014 the medical experts who advise the Congregation for the Causes of Saints approved James' miracle.
In June 2014 the theologians who advise the Congregation for the Causes of Saints approved James' miracle.
Venerable Sheen's cause is closed
On September 3, 2014 Bishop Jenky, the Bishop of Peoria, IL and author of Fulton Sheen's cause, announced that the Congregation for the Causes of Saints closed Venerable Sheen's cause. We expect the cause to re-open once the Archdiocese of New York comes to an agreement with the Diocese of Peoria work and Venerable Sheen's family.
For more information on the "Pause in the Cause" read the following links:
Fulton Sheen's Cause for Canonization Stopped Because of Archdiocese of New York from Sept 2014
Press Release with Clarifications from Catholic Diocese of Peoria from Sept 2014
James' 4th Birthday and How It Relates to Sheen's Cause from Sept 2014
Sheen's Family Petitions New York Court to Move Sheen to Peoria from June 2016
A Court Victory for Sheen Family, NY's Appeal, and the Bottom Line from Nov 2016
Get to know Venerable Fulton J. Sheen and learn more about the alleged miracle
Learn more at the Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Foundation website.
Find the Sheen Foundation on Facebook.
Follow the Sheen Foundation on Twitter.
Listen to free mp3s of Sheen preaching.
Watch YouTube videos of Sheen preaching.
Buy and read Fulton Sheen's books. Some that I recommend are Treasure and Clay, (Sheen's autobiography), The World's First Love (about the Blessed Virgin Mary), Three to Get Married, and The Life of Christ.
Learn more about Servant of All, an excellent video on Archbishop Sheen, produced by the Sheen Foundation. You can watch a trailer, arrange for a viewing, and order a copy of the DVD.
Get amazing, free lessons and crafts to teach your kids about Venerable Sheen at Look to Him and Be Radiant.
You can read more about James through these links:
From my blog:
James Fulton
God set the table
this thing that I fear
the long awaited MRI results are in
my thoughts on the alleged miracle
...
A collection of all the press done from the announcement that the medical board who advises the Congregation for the Causes of Saints had approved James' alleged miracle:
From the Diocese of Peoria's Catholic Post:
Sheen Intercession Cited in Area Boy's Alleged Miraculous Healing
Evidence of Alleged Miracle with Sheen Link Heads to Rome
Archbishop Sheen's Sainthood Cause Advances
Theologian Approval Moves Sheen Sainthood Cause Forward
From the Peoria Journal Star:
Documents on Possible Fulton Sheen Miracle Headed for Vatican
Pope Puts El Paso Native Archbishop Fulton Sheen on Sainthood Path
Experts Put Stamp of Approval on Miracle by Archbishop Fulton Sheen
An "Exciting Step" Towards Archbishop's Canonization
From the National Catholic Register:
Investigation Concludes on Alleged Fulton Sheen Miracle
Archbishop Fulton Sheen Alleged Miracle Passes Major Vatican Test
Archbishop Sheen's Reported Miracle Gets Second Vatican Approval
From the Catholic News Agency:
Archbishop Fulton Sheen Credited with Baby's Stunning Recovery
Investigation Concludes on Alleged Fulton Sheen Miracle
Vatican Panel Approves Archbishop Fulton Sheen Miracle
Vatican Theologians Acknowledge Archbishop Sheen Miracle
From the Chicago Tribune:
Archbishop Sheen Another Step Closer to Sainthood
Finding by Theologians Moves Sheen Closer to Sainthood
From the New York Times:
Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Advances Towards Sainthood
From OSV:
'Miracle' Baby Helps Fulton Sheen Cause
From IGNITUM TODAY:
61 Minutes
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Prayer for the Canonization of Venerable Fulton J. Sheen
Heavenly Father, source of all holiness, You raise up within the Church in every age men and women who serve with heroic love and dedication. You have blessed Your Church through the life and ministry of Your faithful servant, Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen. He has written and spoken well of Your Divine Son, Jesus Christ, and was a true instrument of the Holy Spirit in touching the hearts of countless people. If it be according to your Will, for the honor and glory of the Most Holy Trinity and for the salvation of souls, we ask You to move the Church to proclaim him a saint. We ask this prayer through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen
Prayer for James' Miraculous Healing through the Intercession of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen
Eternal Father, You alone grant us every blessing in Heaven and on earth, through the redemptive mission of Your Divine Son, Jesus Christ, and by the working of the Holy Spirit. If it be according to Your Will, glorify Your servant, Fulton J. Sheen, by granting the favor I now request through his prayerful intercession - that James Fulton's body heals and functions normally and that he is spared any brain damage. I make this prayer confidently through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
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