In the parable in today’s Gospel we hear the familiar words, “Master, did you not sow good seeds in the field?” Oddly, this causes us to consider an amazing thing happening today. One of the big mysteries in the Church in recent years is the cancelation of the celebration of the beatification of one of America’s most beloved bishops, Fulton Sheen. An international effort being led by Dr. Peter Howard, founder of the Fulton J. Sheen Institute is asking for signatures to a petition to reignite the Cause for Canonization of Fulton Sheen with a SET THE DATE FOR SHEEN campaign.

“A baby resurrection miracle has been approved and all aspects of Archbishop Fulton Sheen’s tenure as Bishop of Rochester thoroughly investigated by Rome and the state of New York Attorney General’s office with nothing found to impede his cause. Sheen, an Emmy Award-winning Catholic bishop, was a media pioneer, often characterized as America’s first televangelist, and author of over 70 published works such as Treasure in Clay, Three to Get Married, Lift Up Your Heart, Life of Christ, and The World’s First Love. He brought Christ to the masses and yet his date with destiny, the date to elevate him to sainthood, has been blocked.” We applaud the many years of tireless work of the Diocese of Peoria and the Archbishop Fulton Sheen Foundation, to bring about this important goal.

Dr. Howard stated Sheen’s universal impact and significance were demonstrated within the first 15 hours of the petition’s launch as signatures came in from all six inhabited continents. Ven. Fulton J. Sheen was scheduled to be beatified in December 2019, when just weeks before the anticipated Peoria event, the beatification was abruptly canceled with no explanation from Catholic officials. Everything required canonically by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints for Sheen to be Blessed has been completed since 2014. The legal drama over his body was concluded in 2019. At that same time, on 5 July 2019, Pope Francis issued a decree verifying a miracle through the intercession of Venerable Sheen. That cleared the way for a date to be set for the ceremonial Mass during which Fulton Sheen would be declared 'Blessed.' Pope Francis moved quickly at that point to schedule that Mass for 21 December 2019 in Peoria.

This is why I urge all who are reading this article to sign the petition to “Set the Date”. Sheen’s cause and significance extend way beyond a single diocese. Sheen’s cause is for the whole Church. Who better to reignite that spark and fan it into flame than the lay movement Fulton Sheen himself prophesied would save the Church in our times. If you are unfamiliar with him do yourself the favor of going to YouTube and type in Bishop Fulton Sheen. You’ll find many of his talks which are sure to inspire. Go to www.fultonsheenmovement.org to sign the petition. Thank you and “God love you”.