Novena to Venerable Archbishop Sheen
This novena may be prayed privately by priests and laity to intercede for a priest who is suffering accusation, injustice, discouragement, or any season of trial.
Known for his innovative preaching on radio and television, Archbishop Sheen always had a special place in his heart for priests. He is a fitting intercessor for priests enduring difficult situations, having experienced many trials himself throughout his life.
Day 1
Writings of Archbishop Fulton Sheen
Priests Or Priest-Victims?
How often are we like the Galatians, bent on returning to the Old Law, in the sense that we see ourselves as priests but not victims? Do we offer Mass as if we presented a victim for sin who was totally unrelated to us, like the scapegoat or the bird? Do we ascend the altar as priests and not as victims? Do we offer the Christ-Savior to the Father, as if we were not dying with Him? Is our priesthood a two-story house to indicate our apartness, our reluctance to be a victim for others?
On the first floor is a family suffering physically, disturbed mentally, lacking food and drink. On the second floor, we live. Through intermittent acts of charity, we descend to their misery from time to time to relieve it; but do we go back right away to the relative comfort of our own lodging?
Not so with Christ, the Priest. When He went into the depths of human suffering and sin, He never went back—not until all of its misery and guilt were relieved. Once He crossed that line, there was no thought of a return until Redemption was complete.
It is not as if our High Priest was incapable of feeling for us in our humiliations; He has been through every trial, fashioned as we are, only sinless. Letter to the Hebrews, 4:15
The Priest is Not His Own (pp. 18-19)
Scripture
Therefore, holy “brothers,” sharing in a heavenly calling, reflect on Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, who was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was “faithful in [all] his house.” But he is worthy of more “glory” than Moses, as the founder of a house has more “honor” than the house itself. Every house is founded by someone, but the founder of all is God. Moses was “faithful in all his house” as a “servant” to testify to what would be spoken, but Christ was faithful as a son placed over his house. We are his house, if only we hold fast to our confidence and pride in our hope.
Letter to the Hebrews, 3:1-6
Prayer
Heavenly Father, through the intercession of Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen, bless Fr. X in this time of trial. Let him not absorb the evil of the world in which he lives. Through the celebration of the Eucharist, let him offer himself up to you, joining your Son in his Paschal Sacrifice. Let him not be made bitter in this time of trial, but rather may the Blood of your Son wash away his sins and leave the sweetness of your consolation in his heart. Through this testing, give him the gift of perseverance.
Day 2
Writings of Archbishop Fulton Sheen
When the record of any human life is set down, there are three pairs of eyes who see it in a different light.
There is the life:
As I see it.
As others see it.
As God sees it.
Treasure in Clay (p. 1)
Scripture
Therefore, as the holy Spirit says:“Oh, that today you would hear his voice, ‘Harden not your hearts as at the rebellion in the day of testing in the desert, where your ancestors tested and tried me and saw my works for forty years. Because of this I was provoked with that generation and I said, “They have always been of erring heart, and they do not know my ways.” As I swore in my wrath, “They shall not enter into my rest.”’” Take care, brothers, that none of you may have an evil and unfaithful heart, so as to forsake the living God. Encourage yourselves daily while it is still “today,” so that none of you may grow hardened by the deceit of sin. We have become partners of Christ if only we hold the beginning of the reality firm until the end, for it is said: “Oh, that today you would hear his voice: ‘Harden not your hearts as at the rebellion.’” Who were those who rebelled when they heard? Was it not all those who came out of Egypt under Moses?With whom was he “provoked for forty years”? Was it not those who had sinned, whose corpses fell in the desert? And to whom did he “swear that they should not enter into his rest,” if not to those who were disobedient? And we see that they could not enter for lack of faith.
Letter to the Hebrews, 3:7-19
Prayer
Heavenly Father, through the intercession of Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen, bless Fr. X in this time of trial. Let him not absorb the evil of the world in which he lives. Through the celebration of the Eucharist, let him offer himself up to you, joining your Son in his Paschal Sacrifice. Let him not be made bitter in this time of trial, but rather may the Blood of your Son wash away his sins and leave the sweetness of your consolation in his heart. In spite of current difficulties, give him the gift of purity of heart.
Day 3
Writings of Archbishop Fulton Sheen
On the day of my Ordination, I made two resolutions:
I would offer the Holy Eucharist every Saturday in honor of the Blessed Mother to solicit her protection on my priesthood. The Epistle to the Hebrews bids the priest offer sacrifices not only for others, but also for himself, since his sins are greater because of the dignity of the office.
I resolved also to spend a continuous Holy Hour every day in the presence of Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.
In the course of my priesthood I have kept both of these resolutions. The Holy Hour had its origin in a practice I developed a year before I was ordained. The big chapel in St. Paul’s Seminary would be locked at six o’clock; there were still private chapels available for private devotions and evening prayers. This particular evening during recreation, I walked up and down outside the closed major chapel for almost an hour. The thought struck me—why not make a Holy Hour of adoration in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament? The next day I began, and the practice is now well over sixty years old.
Treasure in Clay (p. 196)
Scripture
Therefore, let us be on our guard while the promise of entering into his rest remains, that none of you seem to have failed.For in fact we have received the good news just as they did. But the word that they heard did not profit them, for they were not united in faith with those who listened. For we who believed enter into that rest, just as he has said: “As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter into my rest,’” and yet his works were accomplished at the foundation of the world. For he has spoken somewhere about the seventh day in this manner, “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works”;and again, in the previously mentioned place, “They shall not enter into my rest.” Therefore, since it remains that some will enter into it, and those who formerly received the good news did not enter because of disobedience, he once more set a day, “today,” when long afterwards he spoke through David, as already quoted: “Oh, that today you would hear his voice: ‘Harden not your hearts.’” Now if Joshua had given them rest, he would not have spoken afterwards of another day. Therefore, a sabbath rest still remains for the people of God. And whoever enters into God’s rest, rests from his own works as God did from his. Therefore, let us strive to enter into that rest, so that no one may fall after the same example of disobedience. Indeed, the word of God is living and effective, sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating even between soul and spirit, joints and marrow, and able to discern reflections and thoughts of the heart. No creature is concealed from him, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.
Letter to the Hebrews, 4:1-13
Prayer
Heavenly Father, through the intercession of Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen, bless Fr. X in this time of trial. Let him not absorb the evil of the world in which he lives. Through the celebration of the Eucharist, let him offer himself up to you, joining your Son in his Paschal Sacrifice. Let him not be made bitter in this time of trial, but rather may the Blood of your Son wash away his sins and leave the sweetness of your consolation in his heart. Free him from discouragement.
Day 4
Writings of Archbishop Fulton Sheen
First, the Holy Hour is not a devotion; it is a sharing in the work of redemption. Our Blessed Lord used the words “hour” and “day” in two totally different connotations in the Gospel of John. “Day” belongs to God; the “hour” belongs to evil. Seven times in the Gospel of John, the word “hour” is used, and in each instance it refers to the demonic, and to the moments when Christ is no longer in the Father’s Hands, but in the hands of men. In the Garden, Our Lord contrasted two “hours”—one was the evil hour “this is your hour”—with which Judas could turn out the lights of the world. In contrast, Our Lord asked: “Could you not watch one hour with Me?” In other words, He asked for an hour of reparation to combat the hour of evil; an hour of victimal union with the Cross to overcome the anti-love of sin.
Secondly, the only time Our Lord asked the Apostles for anything was the night He went into His agony. Then He did not ask all of them… perhaps because He knew He could not count on their fidelity. But at least He expected three to be faithful to Him: Peter, James and John. As often in the history of the Church since that time, evil was awake, but the disciples were asleep. That is why there came out of His anguished and lonely Heart the sigh: “Could you not watch one hour with Me?” Not for an hour of activity did He plead, but for an hour of companionship.
The third reason I keep up the Holy Hour is to grow more and more into His likeness. As Paul puts it: “We are transfigured into His likeness, from splendor to splendor.” We become like that which we gaze upon. Looking into a sunset, the face takes on a golden glow. Looking at the Eucharistic Lord for an hour transforms the heart in a mysterious way as the face of Moses was transformed after his companionship with God on the mountain. Something happens to us similar to that which happened to the disciples at Emmaus. On Easter Sunday afternoon when the Lord met them, He asked why they were so gloomy. After spending some time in His presence, and hearing again the secret of spirituality—“The Son of Man must suffer to enter into His Glory”—their time with Him ended, and their “hearts were on fire.”
Treasure in Clay (pp. 197-198)
Scripture
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has similarly been tested in every way, yet without sin. So let us confidently approach the throne of grace to receive mercy and to find grace for timely help.
Letter to the Hebrews, 4:14-16
Prayer
Heavenly Father, through the intercession of Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen, bless Fr. X in this time of trial. Let him not absorb the evil of the world in which he lives. Through the celebration of the Eucharist, let him offer himself up to you, joining your Son in his Paschal Sacrifice. Let him not be made bitter in this time of trial, but rather may the Blood of your Son wash away his sins and leave the sweetness of your consolation in his heart. Grant him fidelity in prayer.
Day 5
Writings of Archbishop Fulton Sheen
The Canon of the Mass enumerates three kinds of victims who by prefiguring the sacrifice of Christ, became models for all priests. They were, in order, the offerings of the just son, Abel; the sacrifice of our patriarch, Abraham; and that which the High Priest Melchisedech offered. Abel offered a blood sacrifice, Abraham a voluntary sacrifice and Melchisedech a sacramental sacrifice. A priest may be victim in each of these ways. Abel offered to God the choicest lamb of his flock, while his brother Cain offered only the fruits of the earth (GENESIS 4:3,4). God looked with favor on Abel and on his blood sacrifice, but He rejected the sacrifice of Cain, as though it implied that sin could be forgiven without the shedding of blood. The blood sacrifice of Abel is thus a model for the missionaries who are martyred for their faith, for the priests who are victims of anti-God persecution, and for all the faithful who suffer unto death rather than deny the faith.
The Priest is Not His Own (p. 22)
Scripture
Every high priest is taken from among men and made their representative before God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.He is able to deal patiently with the ignorant and erring, for he himself is beset by weakness and so, for this reason, must make sin offerings for himself as well as for the people. No one takes this honor upon himself but only when called by God, just as Aaron was.
Letter to the Hebrews, 5:1-4
Prayer
Heavenly Father, through the intercession of Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen, bless Fr. X in this time of trial. Let him not absorb the evil of the world in which he lives. Through the celebration of the Eucharist, let him offer himself up to you, joining your Son in his Paschal Sacrifice. Let him not be made bitter in this time of trial, but rather may the Blood of your Son wash away his sins and leave the sweetness of your consolation in his heart. Grant him the courage to face this and all future trials and tribulations.
Day 6
Writings of Archbishop Fulton Sheen
The sacrifice of Abraham serves as a model for the sacrifice of many in our days, those who endure all the stages of martyrdom under Communist tyranny yet are denied the formal crown of the shedding of their blood. It is for such especially that the figure of Abraham’s sacrifice was intended. For them was it emphasized that the sacrifice received its full reward even though the blood of the victim was not poured out (Letter to the Hebrews 11:1). This is the assurance for all who undergo a thousand martyrdoms by not being permitted to die by their persecutors, for those who are brain-washed and who spend their lives in prison or labor camps. They share in the promise and in the reward bestowed on Abraham because he was willing to sacrifice his own flesh and blood, his son, Isaac.
The Priest is Not His Own (p. 22)
Scripture
In the same way, it was not Christ who glorified himself in becoming high priest, but rather the one who said to him: “You are my son; this day I have begotten you”; just as he says in another place: “You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” In the days when he was in the flesh, he offered prayers and supplications with loud cries and tears to the one who was able to save him from death,* and he was heard because of his reverence. Son though he was,* he learned obedience from what he suffered; and when he was made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him, declared by God high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.
Letter to the Hebrews, 5:5-10
Prayer
Heavenly Father, through the intercession of Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen, bless Fr. X in this time of trial. Let him not absorb the evil of the world in which he lives. Through the celebration of the Eucharist, let him offer himself up to you, joining your Son in his Paschal Sacrifice. Let him not be made bitter in this time of trial, but rather may the Blood of your Son wash away his sins and leave the sweetness of your consolation in his heart. Fill his heart with your charity until his heart is like your Son’s.
Day 7
Writings of Archbishop Fulton Sheen
The third kind of priest-victimhood is that of Melchisedech. It is offered by all priests who live the mystery they enact sacramentally in the Mass. But how? By understanding the secondary meaning of the words of consecration. The primary meaning is clear and needs no elaboration. The mystery of transubstantiation takes place as we pronounce the words of consecration. There is, however, a secondary meaning, because we are priest-victims. When I say “This is My Body,” I must also mean: “This is my body”; when I say “This is My Blood,” I must also mean: “This is my blood.” “Thou, O Jesus, art not alone in the Mass,” the consecrating priest must pray in his soul. “On the Cross Thou wert alone; in this Mass, I am with Thee. On the Cross, Thou didst offer Thyself to the Heavenly Father; in the Mass, Thou dost still offer Thyself but now I offer myself with Thee.”
The Priest is Not His Own (p. 22-23)
Scripture
About this we have much to say, and it is difficult to explain, for you have become sluggish in hearing. Although you should be teachers by this time, you need to have someone teach you again the basic elements of the utterances of God. You need milk, [and] not solid food. Everyone who lives on milk lacks experience of the word of righteousness, for he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those whose faculties are trained by practice to discern good and evil.
Letter to the Hebrews, 5:11-14
Prayer
Heavenly Father, through the intercession of Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen, bless Fr. X in this time of trial. Let him not absorb the evil of the world in which he lives. Through the celebration of the Eucharist, let him offer himself up to you, joining your Son in his Paschal Sacrifice. Let him not be made bitter in this time of trial, but rather may the Blood of your Son wash away his sins and leave the sweetness of your consolation in his heart. May this trial lead him to a deeper hope in you than ever before.
Day 8
Writings of Archbishop Fulton Sheen
Conversion is an experience in no way related to the upsurge of the subconscious into consciousness; it is a gift of God, an invasion of a new Power, the inner penetration of our spirit by the Spirit and the turning over of a whole personality to Christ. If I begin to recall some instances of conversion during the course of my life, it will not be to shed any glory upon myself for I could no more make someone else a Christian by my own influence than I could turn a sawdust doll into a pretty little child of six. I am, nonetheless, grateful that the Lord used me to bring others to Himself I have always had a deep passion for helping others find faith.
Treasure in Clay (p. 262-263)
Scripture
Therefore, let us leave behind the basic teaching about Christ and advance to maturity, without laying the foundation all over again: repentance from dead works and faith in God, instruction about baptisms and laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment. And we shall do this, if only God permits. For it is impossible in the case of those who have once been enlightened and tasted the heavenly gift* and shared in the holy Spirit and tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to bring them to repentance again, since they are recrucifying the Son of God for themselves* and holding him up to contempt. Ground that has absorbed the rain falling upon it repeatedly and brings forth crops useful to those for whom it is cultivated receives a blessing from God. But if it produces thorns and thistles, it is rejected; it will soon be cursed and finally burned. But we are sure in your regard, beloved, of better things related to salvation, even though we speak in this way. For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love you have demonstrated for his name by having served and continuing to serve the holy ones. We earnestly desire each of you to demonstrate the same eagerness for the fulfillment of hope until the end, so that you may not become sluggish, but imitators of those who, through faith and patience, are inheriting the promises.
Letter to the Hebrews, 6:1-12
Prayer
Heavenly Father, through the intercession of Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen, bless Fr. X in this time of trial. Let him not absorb the evil of the world in which he lives. Through the celebration of the Eucharist, let him offer himself up to you, joining your Son in his Paschal Sacrifice. Let him not be made bitter in this time of trial, but rather may the Blood of your Son wash away his sins and leave the sweetness of your consolation in his heart. Grant him healing from this wound and all wounds he carries, so he may be your faithful servant always.
Day 9
Writings of Archbishop Fulton Sheen
Every full life is like a triangle. Not only are we made in the image and likeness of God Who is triune, but we are remade in the three purifications mentioned in Scripture: crosses, cups and tensions.
· Crosses come from without. The burden laid on the shoulders of Christ: “His government is on His shoulders” was not tailor-made. It comes not from His people but from Caesar. A cross in life is unrelated to the way we live. The Jews in the fiery furnace at Auschwitz and the starved and beaten in the Gulag Archipelago did nothing to deserve a cross except commit the crime of believing in God.
· Cups filled with bitter dregs come from God. “Shall I not drink the cup My Father gave me?” Was it not from Pilate, or Judas, or Caiaphas or the people? No, they were only the hands through which the Father passed the cup filled with the world’s sin, and which the Son had to drink even to the last dregs, lest one drop of the world’s iniquity fall to the earth and like Abel’s blood cry for further redemption.
· Tensions between persons come from within the Church, as with the believers Paul and Mark. Both were pillars of the Church, one carrying the Epistle, the other the Gospel. But they had a difficulty. And it was so sharp that Paul took Silas in one direction while Barnabas went with Mark to Cyprus. But all is forgotten when they were united in a reconciliation “profitable to the ministry.”
Treasure in Clay (p. 327-328)
Scripture
When God made the promise to Abraham, since he had no one greater by whom to swear, “he swore by himself,” and said, “I will indeed bless you and multiply” you. And so, after patient waiting, he obtained the promise. Human beings swear by someone greater than themselves; for them an oath serves as a guarantee and puts an end to all argument. So when God wanted to give the heirs of his promise an even clearer demonstration of the immutability of his purpose, he intervened with an oath, so that by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge might be strongly encouraged to hold fast to the hope that lies before us. This we have as an anchor of the soul,sure and firm, which reaches into the interior behind the veil, where Jesus has entered on our behalf as forerunner, becoming high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.
Letter to the Hebrews, 6:13-20
Prayer
Heavenly Father, through the intercession of Venerable Archbishop Fulton Sheen, bless Fr. X in this time of trial. Grant him joyful endurance.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, keep all priests within your heart always. Strengthen and comfort them through the power of your Cross, so that through their lives others may be led to holiness.
Venerable Fulton Sheen, faithful priest and preacher of Christ, pray for our priests.