Lenten Meditations with Fulton J. Sheen

by Fulton J. Sheen

As a follow-up to the popular "Advent Meditations With Fulton J. Sheen," this Lenten pamphlet is also drawn from Archbishop Sheen's best-selling books. These reflections will lead you daily through the Lenten and Easter seasons. Each quote is paired with a complementary Scripture verse focusing on the themes of the season—sacrifice, repentance, suffering, prayer, humility, peace—and more.

Genres: Catholic, Religion, Devotional, Theology

46 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 20, 2012

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

[Christopher Blosser · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be sure, you're only getting brief excerpts from Sheen's books, no more than a few sentences or two, a paragraph at most. But it is enough and certainly provides food for reflection, encouragement, and yes: hope. Sheen is that good.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely book. Short meditations that really got you thinking.

2022-second read. Lovely and powerful readings for the Lenten season

[Ted Hinkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

LENTEN MEDITATIONS WITH FULTON SHEEN is a beautiful source of meditation, providing a daily reflection on a quote from Bishop Sheen, taken from his numerous publications, paired with an appropriate Scripture passage. "Even those who have some degree of sanctity find it hard, sometimes to remain on the cross until the end; ......at the challenge of the world,......after an hour......or even two hours and fifty-nine minutes. " LIFT UP YOUR HEART....Bishop Sheen. Used as a devotional Lent 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, sweet, and to the point. If you don't have time for a lengthy devotional every day this is the one for you. Good food for thought from an amazing man.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice power packed short daily devotionals.

Second reading: 2022 Lent with Jamie. Such a good devotional.

[Caitlin Streit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely meditations

The arch bishop is a constant source of inspiration even after all these years . Great man of faith .the church could use a man such as this now. His meditation takes to a closer deeper walk of faith and love during this Lenten season highly recommend.

[Tom Barmaryam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good book for Lenten meditation

[Cherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Provided great spiritual reading and reflection during the Lenten season.

[Jason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone should read Saint Fulton J. Sheen. He is a modern day Saint and there are few more wise or able to communicate than this man. I cannot get enough.

[Steven R. McEvoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I first bought this book to read it during Lent I was a little disappointed. Flipping through it all the selections were short. I was looking for something deeper or longer. But the book was a great surprise. It is intended to be read over lent, but I found I could not stop, so I have read it through twice now reading 2 devotions each day morning an evening. The book is a collection of 40 short meditation's each following the same format; a quote from Fulton J. Sheen, and a bible passage that speaks to the same theme. An example and one of the one's that really hit me is:

Day 32


Sanctify the Moment

Those who sanctify the moment and offer it up in union with God's will never become frustrated- never grumble or complain. They overcome all obstacles by making them occasions of prayer and channels of merit. What were constrictions are thus made opportunities for growth.

LIFT UP YOUR HEART

When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we speak kindly.
1 Corinthians 4: 12- 13

Though compiled to be used over Lent this devotional could be used for anyone wanting a 40 day retreat lead by Fulton J. Sheen. The brevity of the meditations means that they can be reread a few times throughout the day. I read them at morning and evening. But you could do that or even add a third reading. This was a great collection and jumping off point if you have not read Sheen before and if you have as a reminder. I look forward to reading this again and also the companion volume Advent Meditations with Fulton J. Sheen. It is a wonderful little book!

Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More. And soon reviews of other books by Fulton J. Sheen.