Happy Birthday Bishop Sheen!

I wanted to wish Archbishop Fulton J Sheen a very happy birthday in heaven!  Bishop Sheen has been an inspiration to me since I first found out about him while in college and I invite you all to pray for his canonization and intercession for this man truly is a saint.

Archbishop Sheen was a humorous, humble, holy man who reached millions through the new media of his day and evangelized the world bringing many to Christ.  In addition to his media ministry, he was an exceptionally loyal son of the Church and worked leading the Congregation of the Propagation of Faith for many years.  He attended and spoke at Vatican II and had the admiration of people of all creeds and nations.

Even more importantly, he was a man who deeply loved God and desired to be near him. Every day of his 50 plus year priesthood, Bishop Sheen would make a holy hour before Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. Later in his life, he gave many retreats for priests and encouraged them all to make a holy hour.  And for us lay people, if we cannot make a whole hour, give the Lord what time we can.  It was partly in hearing this witness that I began a more passionate seeking of God in Eucharistic Adoration and I hope to make it a more regular practice as I get older.

So today say a prayer for Archbishop Sheen's canonization, if you would like to honor him, here is one from the official website for his cause for canonization:

+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.

And please check out some of his videos and talks online.  There is a wonderful app that I have made by Catholic MP3 Vault that has a large collection of talks from Archbishop Sheen for 7.99 on the iPhone.  You can also check out many of his free audio sermons at FultonSheen.com/mp3.  

Ven. Fulton J Sheen, pray for us, especially those who work in television, film, radio, and new media, that we may boldly follow Christ and, by becoming more like Our Lord, lead others to Him and eternal salvation.  

I'll leave you with  a video of Venerable Sheen talking about Our Blessed Mother whom he loved so dearly in life and surely in death.  

God love you!  

~OneCatholicGuy

PS: If you'd like to make a donation to Archbishop Sheen's cause for canonization as a birthday present you can do so here