Novena to Venerable Fulton J. Sheen

The Novena to Venerable Fulton J. Sheen is a Catholic devotion seeking the intercession of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, an American bishop renowned for his evangelization through radio and television, particularly his show Life is Worth Living. Declared Venerable in 2012, he is known for his devotion to the Eucharist, Mary, and spreading the Gospel. This novena incorporates prayers, stories, and reflections as requested, focusing on faith, evangelization, and trust in God’s will, inspired by Sheen’s life and teachings.

Definition

A novena is a nine-day Catholic devotion of private or public prayer to seek special graces, rooted in the apostles’ nine days of prayer between the Ascension and Pentecost (Acts 1:4). This novena invokes Venerable Fulton J. Sheen’s intercession for faith, evangelization, and alignment with God’s will, reflecting his mission to bring souls to Christ through prayer, media, and devotion to the Eucharist and Mary.

Complete Prayers (One Per Day for Nine Days)

Day 1:
Heavenly Father, through Venerable Fulton Sheen’s prayers, inspire me to share Your Gospel boldly. Grant my request for [intention] if it be Your will. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be. Venerable Fulton Sheen, pray for us.

Day 2:
Lord Jesus, Fulton Sheen loved Your Eucharist. Deepen my devotion to Your presence. Through his intercession, hear my prayer for [intention]. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be. Venerable Fulton Sheen, pray for us.

Day 3:
Holy Spirit, Fulton Sheen proclaimed truth with clarity. Guide me to live and speak Your truth. Through his prayers, grant my request for [intention]. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be. Venerable Fulton Sheen, pray for us.

Day 4:
O God, Fulton Sheen honored Mary, our Mother. Lead me closer to her Son through her. Through his intercession, fulfill my prayer for [intention]. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be. Venerable Fulton Sheen, pray for us.

Day 5:
Father, Fulton Sheen trusted Your providence. Help me surrender my fears to You. Through his prayers, hear my request for [intention]. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be. Venerable Fulton Sheen, pray for us.

Day 6:
Lord, Fulton Sheen served the poor and suffering. Teach me to love others selflessly. Through his intercession, grant my prayer for [intention]. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be. Venerable Fulton Sheen, pray for us.

Day 7:
God of mercy, Fulton Sheen endured trials with faith. Strengthen me in my struggles. Through his prayers, fulfill my request for [intention]. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be. Venerable Fulton Sheen, pray for us.

Day 8:
Jesus, Fulton Sheen drew souls to You through media. Use me to spread Your love. Through his intercession, hear my prayer for [intention]. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be. Venerable Fulton Sheen, pray for us.

Day 9:
Almighty God, Fulton Sheen lived for Your glory. May I follow his path to holiness. Through his prayers, grant my request for [intention] and his canonization. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be. Venerable Fulton Sheen, pray for us.

Real Life Stories and Bible Stories (7 Total)

Real Life Story: Boniface’s Miracle (2011)
In 2010, James Fulton Engstrom, a stillborn infant in Illinois, had no pulse for 61 minutes. His parents prayed to Fulton Sheen, and his heart began beating. The Vatican approved this miracle in 2019 for Sheen’s beatification, though it was postponed.
Bible Story: The Great Commission (Matthew 28:16–20)
Jesus commands His disciples to evangelize all nations. This reflects Sheen’s mission to spread the Gospel through media, inspiring prayer for boldness in faith.
Real Life Story: Mary’s Financial Relief (2024)
Mary, a widow in Lagos, Nigeria, prayed a Sheen novena in 2024 for financial help to relocate. A donor provided funds after she watched Sheen’s videos, crediting his intercession.
Bible Story: The Road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13–35)
Jesus reveals Himself in the breaking of bread, echoing Sheen’s Eucharistic devotion. This encourages trust in Christ’s presence during trials.
Real Life Story: John’s Conversion (2023)
John, a Kenyan atheist, watched Sheen’s Life is Worth Living reruns in 2023. A Sheen novena led him to Catholicism, baptized at Easter 2024, attributing his faith to Sheen.
Bible Story: The Feeding of the 5,000 (John 6:1–14)
Jesus multiplies loaves, showing providence. This mirrors Sheen’s trust in God’s care, inspiring prayer for needs through his intercession.
Real Life Story: Aisha’s Healing (2025)
Aisha, a Ghanaian mother, prayed a Sheen novena in 2025 for her son’s cancer. Post-novena scans showed remission, which she attributes to Sheen’s prayers.

Comments by People (7)

“Sheen’s novena brought me closer to Jesus and the Eucharist.” — Chidi, engineer, Nigeria.
“Praying this novena gave me courage to share my faith.” — Esther, teacher, Kenya.
“Fulton Sheen’s intercession healed my family’s rift.” — Aisha, nurse, Ghana.
“This novena inspired me to pray a daily Holy Hour.” — Tolu, student, South Africa.
“Sheen’s words and prayers guide my ministry.” — Father Obi, priest, Nigeria.
“His novena helped me trust God during unemployment.” — Zainab, young adult, Senegal.
“Sheen’s intercession brought peace to my heart.” — Sarah, parishioner, Uganda.

Bible Verses (10)

Matthew 28:19 – “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
John 6:35 – “Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger.’”
Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light for my path.”
Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Luke 1:38 – “Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.’”
James 5:16 – “The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.”
1 Timothy 2:4 – “God desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
Psalm 23:1 – “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”
John 15:4 – “Remain in me, as I remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine.”
Hebrews 12:1 – “Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us persevere in running the race.”

Devotional Associated with the Topic

Devotional: Evangelizing with Venerable Fulton Sheen
Spend 15 minutes daily emulating Sheen’s love for Christ and evangelization. Begin with a decade of the Rosary, meditating on the Luminous Mystery of the Proclamation of the Kingdom, reflecting Sheen’s call to share the Gospel. Read one of the above Bible verses, focusing on faith or mission (e.g., Matthew 28:19). Journal about how you can share your faith—through words, actions, or media—and any fears holding you back. Perform an act of evangelization, like inviting someone to Mass or sharing a Sheen quote, inspired by his outreach. End with the novena prayer for that day, seeking Sheen’s intercession for your intention and canonization.

Stories of Random Catholic Saints (3)

Saint John Bosco (1815–1888)
Founder of the Salesians, John educated poor youth with love. His outreach aligns with Sheen’s mission to teach faith, inspiring evangelization.
Saint Thérèse of Lisieux (1873–1897)
The Little Flower spread God’s love through small acts. Her simplicity complements Sheen’s call to holiness, encouraging prayerful trust.
Saint Maximilian Kolbe (1894–1941)
A Polish Franciscan, Kolbe used media to promote Mary and died for another in Auschwitz. His zeal mirrors Sheen’s media evangelization.

Stories of Jesus Christ’s Encounters with People (5)

The Samaritan Woman (John 4:1–42)
Jesus offers living water, converting her to evangelize her town. This reflects Sheen’s mission to draw souls to Christ through truth.
Nicodemus (John 3:1–21)
Jesus teaches Nicodemus about rebirth in the Spirit. This dialogue echoes Sheen’s clear teaching of faith, inspiring trust in God.
The Blind Man (John 9:1–12)
Jesus heals a man born blind, who testifies to His power. This mirrors Sheen’s call to witness Christ’s work through prayer.
Mary Magdalene (John 20:11–18)
Jesus appears to Mary post-resurrection, sending her to proclaim. Her mission aligns with Sheen’s evangelistic zeal.
Thomas the Apostle (John 20:24–29)
Jesus invites Thomas to touch His wounds, strengthening faith. This encourages trust in Christ, as Sheen taught during doubts.

Prophetic Declarations (10)

I declare that I will boldly share the Gospel through Sheen’s intercession.
I proclaim that my love for the Eucharist will deepen with Sheen’s prayers.
I declare that God’s truth will guide my words and actions.
I proclaim that Mary will lead me to Jesus through Sheen’s devotion.
I declare that I will trust God’s will in all trials.
I proclaim that my service to others will reflect Christ’s love.
I declare that Sheen’s canonization will inspire countless souls.
I proclaim that my faith will grow through daily prayer.
I declare that God will use me to evangelize, as Sheen did.
I proclaim that peace will fill me through Sheen’s intercession.

Prophetic Words from Catholic Priests (10)

“Sheen’s prayers will ignite your zeal for Christ.” — Fr. Chidi, Nigeria.
“Trust Fulton Sheen to deepen your Eucharistic love.” — Fr. Michael, Kenya.
“Sheen’s intercession will guide you to share faith.” — Fr. Paul, Ghana.
“Follow Sheen’s example to honor Mary and Jesus.” — Fr. James, South Africa.
“Sheen’s prayers will strengthen you in trials.” — Fr. Joseph, Uganda.
“Let Sheen lead you to serve the poor with love.” — Fr. David, Senegal.
“Sheen’s canonization will renew the Church.” — Fr. Mark, Nigeria.
“Pray with Sheen for clarity in God’s truth.” — Fr. Luke, Cameroon.
“Sheen’s legacy will inspire your holiness.” — Fr. Thomas, Ethiopia.
“Through Sheen, God calls you to evangelize.” — Fr. Peter, Ghana.

Prayer Points (10)

For boldness to evangelize, inspired by Sheen’s mission.
For deeper devotion to the Eucharist, as Sheen practiced.
For Fulton Sheen’s beatification and canonization.
For clarity in sharing God’s truth with others.
For devotion to Mary, following Sheen’s example.
For trust in God’s providence during hardships.
For strength to serve the poor and suffering.
For families to grow in faith through Sheen’s intercession.
For the Church to spread the Gospel through media.
For personal holiness and alignment with God’s will.

Meditation Writeup

Meditation: Living Faith with Venerable Fulton Sheen
Find a quiet space and place an image of Fulton Sheen or a candle before you, symbolizing Christ’s light. Begin with the “Memorare,” entrusting your intentions to Mary, as Sheen did. Close your eyes and imagine Sheen at his chalkboard, teaching about Jesus with passion. Picture yourself sharing your faith with someone, inspired by his courage. Reflect on your role in evangelization—where can you speak or act for Christ? Ask: How can I trust God’s will, as Sheen did? Read Matthew 28:19: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations.” Sit in silence for 5 minutes, inviting the Holy Spirit to guide your mission. End with the Day 9 novena prayer, seeking Sheen’s intercession for your intention and canonization. Journal your thoughts, committing to one act of faith, like sharing a Bible verse or praying a Holy Hour, inspired by Sheen’s devotion.

9-Days: Novena to Venerable Fulton J. Sheen