Blessed Fulton J. Sheen

​“Christ makes Saints. The Church recognizes them.”  -Bishop Robert Barron

I let that line from Bishop Barron sink in yesterday, on the way to Fulton J. Sheen’s Beatification Mass in St. Louis.

It’s Jesus, always Jesus, doing the work. In every good work, it is Jesus at work through us. Scripture reminds us, "All good giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no alteration or shadow caused by change." James 1:17

Yesterday was an amazing celebration and tribute to Blessed Fulton J. Sheen. Cardinal Tagle, who presided as the Papal Representative, sent by Pope Leo XIV, reminded us that Archbishop Fulton Sheen is the first American-born bishop to become a Blessed. (Applause!) And he’s from Illinois. (Applause!) And he’s from our very own Diocese of Peoria. (Applause!)

But every good gift is from above.

In his homily, Cardinal Tagle pondered why Fulton Sheen is now a Blessed. Simply stated, Fulton Sheen is now a Blessed because of his communion with Jesus. Fulton Sheen was not beatified because of his fame, because of his popularity, because of his Emmy Award. Fulton Sheen was seen by Jesus, chosen by Jesus, and sent by Jesus, using all the gifts given to him from above.

Being called “Blessed” is not measured in worldly terms. Being called “Blessed” is measured in relationship with Jesus. Sheen’s holy hour every day for sixty years cultivated that relationship with Jesus.

Cardinal Tagle shared a story about Fulton Sheen that points back to Jesus and the good works that He had begun in Sheen. When Pope Pius XII asked Archbishop Fulton Sheen how many conversions of people to the faith he had made, Sheen replied that he had never counted them, lest he be tempted to think the conversions belonged to him rather than to God. Instead, Sheen described himself as "simply a porter" who sometimes managed to lead people to the open door of God's house, noting that he had experienced some success in that role.

I am in awe of Blessed Fulton Sheen’s life and his desire to bring people to Jesus. He modeled evangelization so well, which inspires me. He used the media that was available to him at the time to share Jesus and the truths of the Catholic faith with millions of people. If you were watching or listening to the Beatification coverage yesterday, you were taking a page out of Blessed Fulton Sheen’s playbook. I’m sure he was smiling, just as he’s depicted in the newly revealed image:

Declaring him “Blessed” doesn’t elevate Fulton Sheen anymore. He’s already there. He’s already made it! He’s already labored and lived a life worth living. :) His elevation to “Blessed” is for us. For the Church. For us to be inspired. To share and live the Gospel. We can do this, each in our own way, in our everyday lives.

I came home from the Beatification Mass yesterday inspired. As Bishop Tylka imparted on us all at the closing of Mass, “Blessed Fulton Sheen lived as if his sole purpose was to bring people to Jesus. Now, his legacy is ours.” Let’s make our Illinois brother in Christ proud. Let’s use our good gifts from above.

Blessed Fulton J. Sheen, pray for us!