Faith Heroes
He was a special presence in her life even though they never met in person. She listened to him on the radio after Mass on Sunday. She watched him on TV. She read his books especially when she was in recovery from a bipolar cycle.
I love to imagine the great conversations they are having in heaven these days! I am talking about Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen and my mom.
Mom took great comfort in listening to the then-Bishop Fulton Sheen on the radio. We children learned not to disturb her when the radio was tuned to Life is Worth Living. In the 60’s, Mom had a small TV on the kitchen counter. We knew to stay out of her domain when she was watching the bishop on TV.
Fulton Sheen had a wonderful voice for radio plus a compelling TV presence. Those deep set eyes and great smile were outward attributes that helped draw others to him. But it was his faith, his conviction and the power of the message that hooked his audience.
In spite of differences in upbringing – my Mom grew up in urban Madison, Wisconsin; Bishop Sheen came from small town El Paso, Illinois – they were linked in spirit by their love of our Catholic faith and fearlessness in speaking their minds on important social/political issues.
Each had a great devotion to our Blessed Mother. Archbishop Fulton Sheen’s motto was “Grant that I may come to you through the mother [Mary]. My mom prayed the rosary often and called on Mother Mary’s help and intercession many times a day, most especially in her struggle with mental illness.
Sheen was a renowned theologian, author and a Catholic radio and television personality. My mother had a big personality and sowed and nurtured the seeds of faith in each of her six children. She was a good friend to many and a champion of the underdog. Each, in their own right, were faith heroes. They ARE faith heroes for their legacy continues in their writings and spoken words written on our hearts.
Who are your faith heroes? People from your past? Someone in the present? Who looks to you as a hero of the faith?
As we celebrate the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, we will hear from 2 Timothy 1: For God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather of power and love and self-control. Do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord.
Archbishop Fulton Sheen and my mom were not afraid to testify to their faith.
Increase our faith, Lord, so that we may do much more than we are obliged to do! Help us see the hero in each other and in ourselves. Venerable Fulton Sheen, pray for us.