Things for my friend Fulton Sheen sure have been exciting this summer! In June, a final court ruling confirmed his niece's request to move his mortal remains to the Cathedral of St. Mary in Peoria, IL. You can read the press release here. Then last Thursday, Sheen was quietly moved from New York to Peoria and interred in the Cathedral, and we heard that the Cause for his Beatification was reopened (Press release here). Today it was announced that Pope Francis declared that the healing of the son of my friends Travis and Bonnie Engstrom was indeed a miracle, clearing the last step for his Beatification. (Press release here). You can follow along with the updates and the details for the Beatification at the new website celebratesheen.com.
I was able to visit and pray at his new tomb, guarded by the icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help (he arrived on her Feast Day!), on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart. How very fitting that Archbishop Sheen, after spending his life loving and serving our Lord and His Mother. would come home to Peoria on the weekend of the Solemnities of the Sacred and Immaculate Hearts.
If you are new to my blog or just visiting because you love Sheen, I wanted to make sure you know about all the free resources I have for teaching about Sheen's life and the things that mattered the most to him. Check out the tab above labeled Teaching with Fulton Sheen for dozens of posts on how I've taught about Fulton Sheen in my classroom over the past seven years.
The ideas are synthesized in this 150 page curriculum which includes the printables as well photos, instructions, and ways to apply the topics. I've taught these projects primarily in my 5th-8th grade classroom, but also have used the ideas for multi-age activities, CCD classrooms of elementary kids, high school youth groups, and adult Bible Studies. The concepts Sheen taught, like prayer, Marian devotion, mission, use of media, and the call to holiness, are universal for any age. The curriculum also includes biographical info and projects on the path to canonization. There is a lot packed in, and I'll be working on a 3rd edition leading up to the Beatification so that everything will be up to date!
Bonnie Engstrom's book on the story of her son James Fulton and his miraculous birth is up for preorder and will be released in September! You can read all the details of their family's faith in Jesus and their devotion to Fulton Sheen. I had the privilege of creating her preorder bonuses, including this printable above, so if you preorder make sure to fill out this form so we can send them your way!
And finally, I'm excited to share that I'm helping with a special feature in The Catholic Post, the newspaper of the Diocese of Peoria. In each edition's "The Sheen Corner," I'll be sharing a key aspect of Fulton Sheen's life and teaching, as well as how to learn from his example personally and in family life. Even if you are not a subscriber, you can read the e-edition or posted articles, including the first article here. And if you're on social media, make sure you post your Fulton Sheen book collection with the #SheenStack - I'd love to see what you're reading!
May the inspiration and prayers of Fulton J. Sheen continue to lead all closer and closer to Christ and His Church. Fulton Sheen, pray for us!
How wonderful, Katie, that Fulton Sheen has finally been brought to his rightful and final resting place. I have developed a love of Fulton Sheen because of you and your posts. I had read my first book on Fulton Sheen years ago because of the love you had for him. I had to find out what it was that drew you to him. . . and now I know. I will definitely be following his journey to sainthood. Fulton Sheen, pray for us! - Laura G.
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