61 Minutes to a Miracle. Bonnie L. Engstrom

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      Introduction

      Growing up on the South Side of Chicago, I had several constants in my life: Eisenhower was president. Pius was pope. Mom and Dad were in charge. And Fulton Sheen was on television. Like most Catholics of my generation, I felt almost as if Bishop Sheen were part of our family — after all, he was in our living room every week!

      When I became the bishop of Peoria in 2002, I was soon approached by the leaders of the Archbishop Fulton John Sheen Foundation, asking me to become the sponsor of the cause for Sheen’s canonization. Less than six months after taking my seat in the cathedral of Peoria, I was privileged to convene the canonical tribunal that would investigate Sheen’s life and legacy. I personally set out to reread every Sheen book I could get my hands on, having first read them many years ago. I truly became steeped in everything “Sheen” — not just his incredible spiritual and academic legacy, but also his Midwest roots, which I was reminded of everywhere I went. You can’t throw a stone in central Illinois and not hit someone who is related to Fulton Sheen! Further, I live in his childhood neighborhood. The cathedral, attached to my residence, was where young Fulton made his First Holy Communion and was an altar boy. The building that was his high school is a block away and is part of our diocesan pastoral center. His parents and grandparents are buried in our cathedral cemetery. And, of course, the high altar before which Sheen was ordained a priest and offered his first Solemn Mass still adorns our beautiful Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception.

      While the historical and theological investigations into Sheen’s life and teaching progressed, we also encouraged Catholics around the world to ask God to work a miracle through Sheen’s intercession. Letters poured in from around the world, detailing moving accounts of “little” miracles — many prayers answered, including healings of body and soul. As vice-postulator, Father Andrew Apostoli, CFR, was responsible for following up on these reported miracles. He would captivate me at our regular meetings with some truly incredible accounts. Eventually, we had multiple reported miracles that warranted a full investigation by Church authorities. Each one seemed more incredible than the last. If there are levels of the miraculous, it was almost as if “Someone” was shouting from heaven, louder and louder!

      Until …

      The account contained in this book relates a miracle of near biblical proportions. It is also a story of a family’s faith, the power of prayer, and the fruit of trustful surrender to God. As there are no “accidents” with God, I believe that part of the providential nature of this moving account is that it happened in Fulton Sheen’s hometown, within view of the spires of his cathedral-parish. I was honored to be the bishop tasked by the Church to investigate Sheen’s life of heroic virtue. I am amazed to be the bishop who had the privilege to preside over the diocesan tribunal that investigated this verified miracle.

      Only God performs miracles. Only the Church can declare a miracle. Only God makes saints, and in his own time. Fulton Sheen, help us!