A Zeal For Lost Souls
By Theresa Smith
Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen had a zeal for lost souls.
We, too, can help lost souls return in these ways:
The Holy Hour
- Archbishop Sheen called this the Hour of Power. On
his ordination he promised to spend a daily hour in the presence of
the Blessed Sacrament. He kept that promise for over 60 years. He gave
practical advice to motivate us. He suggested we have a cup of coffee
first! “You do not want the Lord to ask, ‘Could you not stay awake
for one hour?’ ”
Father Andrew Apostoli, worker for the Archbishop’s
cause for canonization, said, “Fulton Sheen’s works (books, talks,
programs) are timeless because they were prepared in the presence of
the One Who is timeless.” Begin a regular holy hour and prepare
letters, cards, calls, etc. to your loved ones in the presence of One
who loves them even more than you do.
Our Lady
- One of Sheen’s greatest hopes was to hear Jesus say,
“I’ve heard My mother speak of you.” With a mother’s heart, Mary will
speak to Jesus about your loved ones. Pray the rosary and let Our Lady
console you. Sheen called Mary “The Woman I Love.” Let’s make her the
woman we love and trust, too.
Sacrifice
- Sheen would go to extremes to bring a soul home to the Church. If it
required staying up all night in prayer, sacrificing, or donating
money, no price was too great to save a soul. We who pray for
prodigals understand their value. We know that soul is loved by the
Lord who longs for him/her to come home. Let us, too, commit to loving
that soul home, regardless of the cost.
Truth
- We may not have access to the media to reach our
prodigals, but we can love with Sheen’s intensity and bring the lost
to Christ. Spend time learning more about your faith and you will grow
in holiness and be better able to answer questions from your
prodigals and speak the truth in love without anxiety.
Personal Struggle
- Sheen was open about his own struggles with pride and
vanity when surrounded by adoring fans. He helped bring home many
souls but never counted them because he feared he would begin to
think he made the conversions happen, not the Lord. God may work
through us, but He is the one responsible. Accept any conversion with
joyful gratitude. If you are struggling with pride, begin each day
with a prayer for help and then let the Lord lead.
Love -
Love these souls! You may not see the results in this
life, but your efforts are never wasted. Unite your pain to the cross,
your love with Christ’s heart, and your life to His truth.
Archbishop Sheen, pray for us. As was his customary
closing, “Bye now and God love you.”
Theresa Smith is Director of Adult Faith Formation & Family Life
Ministries
at St Patrick Parish, Kansas City, Kansas |