Msgr. Jason Gray has no doubt that Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen will be beatified at the appropriate time.

As the new executive director of the Archbishop Fulton John Sheen Foundation, he is happy to do his part by raising awareness about the El Paso native’s cause for beatification and canonization, as well as promoting devotion to him. His appointment was announced April 19 by Bishop Louis Tylka, who is also the president of the Sheen Foundation.

Msgr. Gray succeeds Msgr. Stanley Deptula.

The pastor of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Peoria Heights and judicial vicar for the Diocesan Tribunal, Msgr. Gray has some experience with Venerable Fulton Sheen’s cause. He led the local investigation into the alleged miraculous healing of James Fulton Engstrom in 2010 that was attributed to the intercession of the sainthood candidate. It would be accepted by teams of doctors, theologians and Pope Francis himself, clearing the way for a future beatification.

What he wants people to know about Venerable Sheen is his “saintly example of dedication to the Eucharist, devotion to the Blessed Mother, use of Catholic media, and holiness of life and witness to prayer.”

“This should be an inspiration that every Catholic should draw fruit from, and we just want people to appreciate the example that he gave,” Msgr. Gray told The Catholic Post.

The legacy of Venerable Fulton Sheen is one of the Five Foundations upon which Bishop Tylka hopes to build a vibrant, mission-driven church in the Diocese of Peoria.

ANOTHER MIRACLE NEEDED

Born in El Paso on May 8, 1895, Archbishop Sheen and was the son of Newton and Delia (Fulton) Sheen. He attended St. Mary’s Cathedral Grade School and Spalding Institute, and he was ordained for the Diocese of Peoria on Sept. 20, 1919.

A pioneer in radio and television, he became a media evangelist with his popular television show “Life is Worth Living.”

A former auxiliary bishop of the New York Archdiocese, Archbishop Sheen led the Diocese of Rochester, New York, from 1966 to 1969 and spent his final years preaching retreats and missions. He died on Dec. 9, 1979.

His cause for beatification and canonization was opened in the Diocese of Peoria in 2002, His remains were transferred from the crypt at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York to St. Mary’s Cathedral in Peoria on June 27, 2019.

The beatification for Archbishop Sheen was approved by Pope Francis and set for Dec. 21, 2019, at St. Mary’s Cathedral. It was postponed, however, due to concerns among the bishops that a situation in New York made the beatification inopportune, according to Msgr. Gray.

What may not be widely understood is that since the beatification had been ordered by the pope, miracles attributed to Sheen’s intercession after that time in 2019 may be reported and investigated for the next step in the process, which is canonization, he said. One more miracle is needed.

“If anyone is aware of a miracle, they should report it to the diocese,” Msgr. Gray said. “Nothing would give me greater joy than to have the opportunity to undertake a second canonical inquiry and to examine a second miracle and submit that to Rome, hopefully for approval. That would be a great joy, to do that work once again.”

So while the Sheen Foundation is working to sustain the promotion of and interest in the cause, it is important to promote prayer for the beatification and canonization by praying for miracles, he said.

“That is another fundamental work we have right now is to make sure that people are praying through the intercession of the venerable Servant of God for a miracle that might lead to canonization,” Msgr. Gray said.

In addition to collaborating with Bishop Tylka, Msgr. Gray is working with Sister Lea Stefancova, FSJB, vice postulator for the cause. She is also an archivist for the Diocese of Peoria and a curator for the Fulton J. Sheen Museum.

Julie Enzenberger is the administrator for the Sheen Foundation.

To report an alleged miracle, call Sister Lea at (309) 671-1550. More information about Venerable Fulton Sheen is available at celebratesheen.com.