Lift Up Your Heart: A Guide to Spiritual Peace

by Fulton J. Sheen

Contains a brilliant analysis of the spiritual life. It is full of profound lessons and words of wisdom on sanctifying the present moment, the effect of conduct on belief, how to pray and meditate, and making up for the past. Paperback

Genres: Catholic, Religion, Theology, Christianity, Spirituality, Philosophy, Psychology

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1950

About the author

Fulton John Sheen was an American bishop of the Catholic Church known for his preaching and especially his work on television and radio. Ordained a priest of the Diocese of Peoria in Illinois, in 1919, Sheen quickly became a renowned theologian, earning the Cardinal Mercier Prize for International Philosophy in 1923. He went on to teach theology and philosophy at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. and served as a parish priest before he was appointed auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of New York in 1951. He held this position until 1966 when he was made bishop of the Diocese of Rochester in New York. He resigned as bishop of Rochester in 1969 as his 75th birthday approached and was made archbishop of the titular see of Newport, Wales.
For 20 years as "Father Sheen", later monsignor, he hosted the night-time radio program The Catholic Hour on NBC (1930–1950) before he moved to television and presented Life Is Worth Living (1952–1957). Sheen's final presenting role was on the syndicated The Fulton Sheen Program (1961–1968) with a format that was very similar to that of the earlier Life Is Worth Living show. For that work, Sheen twice won an Emmy Award for Most Outstanding Television Personality, and was featured on the cover of Time magazine. Starting in 2009, his shows were being re-broadcast on the EWTN and the Trinity Broadcasting Network's Church Channel cable networks. His contribution to televised preaching resulted in Sheen often being called one of the first televangelists.
The cause for his canonization was officially opened in 2002. In June 2012, Pope Benedict XVI officially recognized a decree from the Congregation for the Causes of Saints stating that he lived a life of "heroic virtues," a major step towards beatification, and he is now referred to as venerable. On July 5, 2019, Pope Francis approved a reputed miracle that occurred through the intercession of Sheen, clearing the way for his beatification. Sheen was scheduled to be beatified in Peoria on December 21, 2019, but his beatification was postponed after Bishop Salvatore Matano of Rochester expressed concern that Sheen's handling of a 1963 sexual misconduct case against a priest might be cited unfavorably in a forthcoming report from the New York Attorney General. The Diocese of Peoria countered that Sheen's handling of the case had already been "thoroughly examined" and "exonerated" and that Sheen had "never put children in harm's way".

Reviews

[John Seymour · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not sure of the book itself is five stars, or if it was exactly what I needed now. Which I guess makes it worth five stars. Published in 1950 and thus nearly 70 years old, it is, in spite of a few phrases made dated, for better or worse, by Vatican II, still incredibly timely today. This is, I would guess, the true mark of a spiritual classic.

[Manuel Alfonseca · Rating 4 out of 5]

ENGLISH: A book of religious inspiration, very useful for believers. It has provided me with at least a dozen useful quotes. It contains a quite interesting chapter about the deadly sins, as well as another one on prayer and meditation.

Published in 1950, it has become just a little outdated, as when it explains why the Church is opposed to cremation, which is no longer opposed since the sixties.

ESPAÑOL: Un libro de inspiración religiosa muy útil para todo creyente. Me ha proporcionado la menos una docena de citas útiles. Hay un capítulo muy interesante sobre los pecados capitales, y otro sobre la oración y la meditación.

Publicado en 1950, alguna cosa está atrasada, como la explicación sobre por qué la Iglesia se opone a la cremación (dejó de oponerse en los años sesenta).

[Mariangel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for the second time, I still found noteworthy passages that I had forgotten. Bishop Sheen's writing is clear and full of memorable quotes. My favorite chapters were "When the ego lets itself go", the one the 7 Capital Sins and "Making up for the past", where I liked his insights about the Communion of Saints.

[Chad Coates · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the spirit of this Christmas season:

“The Savior Himself had come into the world as a child, and growth in love of Him from that day on has demanded that we be humble enough to enter the low-slung cave where He was born. Proud men will not stoop; thus they miss the drama of the cave where a child is discovered to be Lord of the universe.”

I cannot begin to describe the Grace, genius or love that exudes from Bl. Fulton Sheen’s writing in this incredible book. Each page of Truth—however bitter it may be—is delivered with such graceful and gentle candor, that the reader cannot help but share in that Charity that beset Bl. Sheen’s heart.

I recommend this book to all who recognize the need to lift up their hearts—whether it be to others in fellowship, to God in prayer, or borne out of a necessity for conversion.

Indeed, Fulton Sheen is a man for all ages; but he truly is a man after God’s own heart, through and in which mine has been lifted in this reading.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best spiritual books I have ever read. I highly recommend it for anyone seeking to grow closer to God. Just, WOW! I will definitely be reading more books by Bishop Fulton Sheen.

[Christine Bengle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is definitely one of the best books I have ever read. It is one of those books that I will read again because there is so much to think about.

[TheRose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fantastic! It successfully combines philosophy, theology, psychology and common sense to tell people what they need to do to achieve true peace. Although written by an archbishop (you may have seen him on TV if you're older than 30), this book is not just for Catholics, this book is for everyone!

[Edward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best thing I've read since Eric Fromm. Very theologically/ philosophically strong but accessible

[Veronica]

I began it, and so this is the stage where I decide if it will be one of the books I read at Quiet Time--it is! I got a copy of this book written in 1952, and I already love that it talks of people as two groups: that know God and people that seek God. (Only we see it as seeking happiness, fulfillment, purpose, beauty, truth, love, kindness.)

Archbishop Fulton Sheen mentions that modern man does not seek God in nature, in reason, as much as before. Yet God always gives us ways of finding Him, even it is in our loneliness and misery.

Wow, I've been finding Him!

Now, I am learning how to lift myself up to go to Him first, rather than last.

[Sarah Tiufekchiev · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the most challenging spiritual reads I have encountered. I can’t say enough it is worth sticking through, but I would not suggest it unless you have some additional lighter spiritual material to balance it out don’t be afraid to read it slowly to really connect with it. It was genuinely worth every page!

[Macy Vollert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was FANTASTIC! I love the language Fulton Sheen uses, referring to God as a “Relentless Lover”, and how he comprehensively connects reason and faith.

One quote that really stood out to me was:
“Love makes us loathe the faults that hold us back from love.”

[Roger Collin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although written in 1950, Bishop Fulton Sheen captures all the problems that plague us today. There is no escape from God. He pursues us 24 seven. If we turn away, and try to fill our lives with ungodly things, disaster strikes. An amazing book.

[paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazingly beautiful and extremely quotable. Loved every page.

[Hung]

this is the book good for me in the novice

[Daniel Ortiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Took me a couple months to finish. Great book. Spiritual, theological, it’s got everything.

[eryk · Rating 4 out of 5]

This friendly book contains little gems such as this: "Sin is a disproportionate seriousness" :^)

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best spirituality books I have ever read. Fulton Sheen is a magnificent writer and a worldly priest. He writes with passion from the deepest recesses of his heart and soul, using great analytical powers. The chapter on chipping away at the "I" and "EGO" are especially interesting. The diametrical opposite of this book would be Ayn Rand's "The Virtue of Selfishness." As an experiment you should read both and see how you feel. I would bet that Fulton Sheen's sense of life would inspire and uplift even the most fractured of hearts.

[Barbie]

read once, started reading it again......