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Mornings with Fulton Sheen: 120 Holy Hour Readings

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Before the wild-eyed, garrulous and hortatory evangelists typical of today's television was Bishop Fulton Sheen (1898-1979), a Catholic priest who offered low-key but compelling commentary on the pioneering video airwaves of the 1950s. He made the covers of Time, Life, and Look (as the greatest communicator of our time); President Eisenhower proclaimed hmself a fan.

Sheen, a former farm boy from Peoria, married the common touch to scholarly epiphany.

And he had a sense of humor.

Now comes "Mornings with Fulton Sheen:120 Holy Hour Readings" lovingly compiled by Beverly Coney Heirich (Servant Publications).

A sample in the bishop's typically pellucid prose: "One day a woman said to Father John Vianney, the Cure of Ars in France, 'My husband has not been to the sacraments or to Mass for years. He has been unfaithful, wicked, and unjust. He has just fallen from a bridge and was drowned - a double death of body of soul.'

The Cure answered: 'Madam, there is a short distance between the bridge and the water, and it is that distance which forbids you to judge.'"

This book was a gift to me in so many ways. As a Protestant, I was amazed at the relevance Bishop Sheen's words held for my life. As a student, this book has been useful as a reference for quotes for research papers, etc. (Useful for speeches, too.) Each page holds a concise, insightful, and powerful Christian message to meditate on. When I do not have much time, I take a moment before bed or before I start my day to read one page. The book is organized so well for people who are pressed for time, and it will probably change your life for the better, as it has mine. If you want to know how God wants us to view the world, and if you need a powerful reminder of what your priorities really are, read this book!

I like Dr. Laura. She's a sassy Jewish radio personality who is fast becoming one of America's most trusted women.

When a friend gave me a book called Mornings with Fulton Sheen, the outspoken wit and mystic wisdom of a Catholic priest who died in 1979 reads as if written by Dr. Laura! In the early days of television, probably around the time of Dr.Laura's birth, Sheen was the most renowned clergyman in America. His friend, Milton Berle, was the best known comedian. The two giften men had competing Sunday night shows - friends and rivals for the hearts and minds of America.

Berle was known throughout the land as everybody's beloved Uncle Miltie. Sheen was featured on the covers of Time, Look, and Newsweek as "the greatest communicator of our time."

In ten simple steps, this small, elegant book reveals Sheen's ancient, absolutely fool-proof way to become the better persons we sometimes dream we might have been - or may yet become: spend one holy hour a day in Christian meditation.

Sheen scholar Beverly Coney Heirich uses a brief biblical history to show the essential difference between Christian meditation and Hindu meditation techniques such as Transcendental Meditation (TM), popularized by the Beatles at the height of their power.

According to this book, many meditation methods may produce some beneficial physical and emotional results; but only Christian meditation has power to deal with the fundamental discord that is the cause of human anguish.

In addition to simple steps for the beginning meditator, this book consists of Fulton J. Sheen's answers to many of life's hardest question.

That's where his salty wit and pithy wisdom reminded me of Dr. Laura on issues like sex education, suicide, beautiful women, depression, virtue, self esteem, commitment, health clubs, crooked politicians, and more.

Here's page 92, a page called EDUCATED GOODNESS: "Any system of education which fails to discipline the will also fails to train the character. Such teaching may succeed in making people into walking encyclopedias; it doesn't make them responsible citizens for a democracy.

"Education can never make a person better unless it teaches the true purpose of mankind -- and the difficulties that must be overcome to realize that purpose.

"Much education today is based on the Socratic error that ignorance of good is the cause of evil, and that all we need do to overcome evil is to give men information.

"If this were so, every educated man would be a good man, but we know this is not true."

Proverbs 28:2 "When the values of a nation crumble, everything crumbles, including its government; but with honest, wise, and godly leaders, there is stability."

At the bottom of each page, below a Jewish Proverb, the book has a place to write "My Secret Meditation."

Only 120 pages. A huge life-changer, if you care enough to try keeping a Holy Hour a day. No doubt about it.

I wasn't alive when Fulton Sheen was a big star on television, but after reading this book, I can see why he was so popular with people of all faiths or none. He was a wonderful story teller and that's what this book consists of mostly. Small stories, concrete examples that teach Truth and make it stick inside the head and change the way you look at people and circumstances in your life. People of all ages and of any faith ought to have this book on their bedside table. That's where mine is, and never mind if I spill a drop of coffee on it now and then. I don't think Fulton Sheen minds and neither does Jesus.

This wonderful resource will lend insight and depth to the time you spend in daily prayer. Each of the 120 chapters contains a thought provoking reflection and a related scripture passage. An excellent addition to your devotional library.

What an amazing book! I'm a Christian who has used Transcendental Meditation (TM) and practiced Yoga, but I had never heard of "the ancient and powerful practice of Christian meditation." Of course I knew monks meditate, but this book encourages purely Christian meditation for all Christians, and explains why the difference between Eastern techniques and Christian meditation (which Fulton Sheen said is not the same as devotions) matters a lot! "In meditation the ear of the soul is more important than the tongue. St. Paul tells us that faith comes from listening. In a daily Holy Hour, we wait for Him to speak--and He does!"

This book tells how to meditate on 120 of the hardest questions in life by connecting the heavenly wisdom of Fulton Sheen with down-to-earth action from the Book of Proverbs. I'm a reader and I've read books with 600 pages that haven't had anywhere near the level of practical knowledge and godly wisdom that I've gained from this small book.

Here are just a few of the questions the book asks and answers, each in a few words on a single page with a space to record what you hear from God: How can we teach children to work hard? What is the secret of the missing link? What is the only personal favor Jesus ever asked of His followers? What is the connection between beauty shops and worms? What can you learn from golfing with Jack Nicklaus? What is a five-minute health routine? What is the connection between dirty rivers and bed-hopping? What are the saddest words of all? What is the great fallacy of some types of sex education? How can I know for sure if I'm a true follower of Christ? What three surprises are waiting for me in Heaven? Why do so many acts of rape end in murder of the victim? What are three fool-proof steps to build self-esteem?

Mornings with Fulton Sheen was HILARIOUS and IT HAS A GREAT striking words. I STRONGLY recommend to buy this book, It is inspiring as well as encouraging to anyone who reads it.

I have never heard about Fulton Sheen's name before, as well as his writings too. There is one short stories that I like, this book is called Mornings with Fulton Sheen.

As I was reading these pages of this book "Mornings with fulton Sheen" it was about A tough man named John who is subject to sentence to die, after he murdered his wife. John doesn't like to talk to anyone in his cell room. Fulton Sheen shared his words to John. Amazingly, John turns to Fulton Sheen and begins to focus what Fulton Sheen has something to say to him..

Each pages I read is TRUE. He shares many hilarious stories and good advice. He speaks about himself, too. I can imagine, that after I read the pages of this book, I realized that all the writings speaks about ourselves, our neighbors, virtues, and most of all, OUR DEAR LORD!! I think, if you read this book, you may find a good quality of the stories and you may want to share this to your love ones. They too, will laugh..and ask for a copy of Fulton Sheen's too.

This book is beautiful in its simplicity. Bishop Sheen reminds us that achieving conscious contact with God is our most important spiritual goal, and that meditation is the means to that goal.

I can think of no better springboard to a life of daily prayer and meditation than the words of Fulton J. Sheen. Coupled with the wisdom of Proverbs, they offer today's troubled soul a large measure of satisfaction, a starting point to healing life's hurts.Patricia Kossman, Literary Representative - Estate of Fulton J. Sheen

Fulton Sheen's powerful and passionate delivery made him a national and personal hero of mine.

Martin Sheen