Thursday, June 28, 2012

Venerable Fulton Sheen: Fortnight for Freedom, day 8

Servant of God Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen is now “Venerable” after the Vatican announced today that Benedict XVI had signed a decree recognising that the archbishop heroically lived Christian virtues.

The announcement of the decree marks a significant step in the canonization cause of Peoria, Ill.-born Archbishop Sheen (1895-1979), the Emmy award-winning televangelist whose program, "Life is Worth Living," was broadcast from 1951 to 1957.

The Vatican now has to recognise a miracle has occurred through his intercession for him to be beatified, the penultimate step to canonization. Alleged miracles have been reported, which are now being assessed by experts in Rome.
Read the whole story at NCR
If anyone understands Americans and Catholics and American Catholics it is Venerable Fulton Sheen. From my reading, he always struck me as a man with a calm demeanor, a generous heart, and solid common sense. (The Anchoress has quotes, comments and links about him.)

The Supreme Court has ruled upholding the Affordable Health Act as a tax ... and the bishops are responding with pleas to repair fundamental flaws in the act (specifically about immigration, abortion, and contraception).

Surely one of the best advocates we can address in this time is Venerable Fulton Sheen.

Let us pray: for our country, to change hearts, and for those living where taking your faith seriously means taking your life in your hands ...
Prayer for Religious Liberty

Almighty God, Father of all nations,
for freedom you have set us free in Christ Jesus (Gal 5:1).

We praise and bless you for the gift of religious liberty,
the foundation of human rights, justice and the common good.

Grant to our leaders the wisdom to protect
and promote our liberties.

By your grace may we have the courage to defend them,
for ourselves and for all those who live in this blessed land.

We ask this through the intercession of Mary Immaculate, our patroness,
and in the name of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, with whom you live and reign,
one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.

St. Thomas More, pray for us
St. John Fisher, pray for us
St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, pray for us
Bl. Miguel Pro, pray for us
Venerable Fulton Sheen, pray for us

2 comments:

  1. Where was "old Saint Pat's" ? They say that as a priest in Peoria Fr Sheen had been at "old Saint Pat's" (which no longer exists as a Catholic church).

    ReplyDelete