The Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Prayer League

Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen was well known not only in the United States, but all over the world. His popular television series, Life is Worth Living, grew to an estimated viewing audience in America of over 30 million people every Tuesday night (1952-1957). His work as National Director for the Society for the Propagation of the Faith (1950-1966) brought him in touch with millions of people throughout the world. Young people, who never knew the Archbishop during his lifetime, are now coming to meet him through his books and tapes. As a result, many people today remain friends of the late Archbishop while other new friends are being made daily.

Since the process for his Canonization was opened by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints on September 14, 2002, many of the Archbishop’s friends are asking, “What can we do to help his Cause for Canonization?” The Prayer League of the Friends of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen was formed to allow these persons to participate in a variety of ways to accomplish the goal of the Cause, namely, to have Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen declared a Saint of the Roman Catholic Church if it be God’s Will.

1) DISTRIBUTE THE ARCHBISHOP SHEEN PRAYER CARDS

The Foundation has printed two prayer cards for use in the Cause. The first has a prayer for the Canonization of the Archbishop, who has been officially declared Servant of God. Prayer is the most basic need we have, since only God can raise up a saint! When a great number of people are praying intensely for this Cause, God will listen. Jesus encourages us, “Ask and you shall receive!” By distributing these prayer cards to family members, friends, parishioners and others, we can form a constant chorus of prayers ascending to God. Every member of the Prayer League should recite this prayer daily, and encourage others to do so.

The second prayer card has a prayer to ask God for favors through the intercession of the Archbishop. One of the requirements to canonize a person is that he or she must enjoy a reputation for intercession. God will work many signs (such as healings, or conversions of family members) to manifest the holiness of His servant. Members of the Prayer League can help the Cause by encouraging people who are in need of special favors, especially healings, to pray to God through the intercession of the Archbishop. If a person receives a favor they have prayed for through his intercession, the Prayer League member should encourage that individual to notify the Vice-Postulator’s office as soon as possible, since these testimonies are proofs of God’s favor for His servant. The Prayer League member can also help organize groups of people to join in praying with or for an individual who is seeking such a favor (e.g. organize a parish prayer effort for a seriously sick child).

2) DO WORK OF PUBLIC RELATIONS FOR THE CAUSE

3) HELP THE CAUSE WITH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Canonizing a saint is a very expensive process. It requires maintaining offices where the work is done, paying for the services of various officials (e.g. Notaries, Canon Layers, typists, translators, researchers), making travel arrangements for the various witnesses who will testify during the Diocesan Inquiry into the life and virtues of the Archbishop, as well as other expenses. Prayer League members can make their own personal donations to the Cause as well as contact people they know who would be willing to make similar donations. All contributions are tax deductible since the Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Foundation is a recognized tax-exempt organization listed in the Kennedy Catholic Directory. People may also want to leave a legacy to the Foundation to help it carry on its vital work.

4) PROMOTE THE WARTIME PRAYER BOOK CAMPAIGN

The Wartime Prayer Book Campaign has been the main fundraising campaign of the Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Foundation since 2004. The goal of the campaign is to distribute 100,000 copies of Archbishop Sheen’s Wartime Prayer Book to our military chaplains and troops overseas. For every $3.50 donation, the Sheen Foundation is able to send these books to our military free of charge (The normal retail price for the prayer book is $9.95 + tax). Part of the contributions toward this project goes to help pay off the different expenses associated with the canonization process. The campaign also helps to spread devotion to our Lord through Bishop Sheen and provides for the spiritual help that our troops need in their work on our battlefields.

Prayer League members are encouraged to distribute appeal letters, pamphlets and bookmarks about the campaign among their family members, friends and church-community. They are also asked to encourage support for the project from various organizations such as the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Daughters of America, other civic or religious organizations and even their local parish.

Prayer League members can also call their local Catholic radio stations to arrange for interviews with Fr. Andrew Apostoli, C.F.R., Vice-Postulator for the Cause, during Patriotic Holidays such as Memorial Day, Independence Day, Veterans Day, etc., in order to encourage people to spiritually support the troops by contributing to the Wartime Prayer Book Campaign. These interviews should be coordinated with the Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Foundation Main Office at 309-671-1550 ext 249.

Prayer League members can also arrange for Father Andrew Aposoli, C.F.R., to come and speak before a large audience to make a special appeal for the Wartime Prayer Book Campaign and also for Archbishop Sheen’s canonization cause. Preferably, talks should be requested at least 6 months in advance to allow for schedule adjustments. These should likewise be coordinated with the Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Foundation Main Office at 309-671-1550 ext 249.

Promotional materials are available from the Communications Office. For more information about the Wartime Prayer Book Campaign, visit: www.WartimePrayerBook.org. Requests for materials can be made via email at: Info@WartimePrayerBook.org

The Canonization of a Saint is an occasion for receiving extraordinary graces from God. Since Archbishop Sheen was already so well known and loved in his lifetime, one can only imagine what effect his Canonization, if it be God’s Will, would have on the Catholic Church and the world. It requires a lot of effort by many people as well as the necessary resources to carry on the process. Will you consider helping the Cause by becoming a member of the Prayer League of the Friends of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen? God love you!

Responsibilities of Prayer League Members

1. They are encouraged to pray daily the official prayer for Archbishop Sheen’s Canonization.

2. They are encouraged to pray daily one Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory be to the Father for all the intentions on the Archbishop Sheen Prayer List maintained by the Board Members, as well as for the needs and intentions of the other members of the Archbishop Sheen Prayer League.

3. They are encouraged to promote the Wartime Prayer Book Campaign to help raise funds for the Cause.

4. If possible, they should check the Foundation website to keep up-to-date with current events related to the Cause.

5.They should notify the Foundation of any activities they are planning in their area to promote the Cause (e.g. arrange for a talk by a board member, or sponsor a fund raiser). Then the Foundation can publicize the event on its website and thereby encourage people in that area to participate.

6. As circumstances permit, Prayer League members can volunteer their time and talent to helping with the work of the Archbishop Sheen Foundation.

Spiritual Benefits of Prayer League Members

1. They will be remembered in special Masses associated with the life of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen: May 8th (birthday); September 20th (Priestly Ordination), December 9th (death anniversary).

2. They will be remembered in a monthly Mass offered for all benefactors of the Cause. (The monthly date varies, so that it will be necessary to check the Calendar of Events on the Foundation website.)