THE PRIEST IS NOT HIS OWN - Becoming the Father God Has Called You To Be. The Priest Is Not His Own is far more than a book for priests or for those considering the priesthood as a vocation. In these penetrating, deeply pondered discussions of the priesthood, Bishop Fulton J. Sheen has produced a work of lasting value, a book that will perhaps change many hundreds of lives, and certainly a book that will also interest readers who have no direct concern with the priesthood as a calling. Inspiration for this volume came while Bishop Sheen was writing his famed Life of Christ, and it was out of those "dark days, " as he describes them, that the thoughts of priesthood, illumined by the vision of Christ the Savior, were first formulated. Just as the earlier work was based on the thesis that Christ offered no other sacrifice but Himself, so in this new book, Bishop Sheen envisages the priest as a man sacrificing himself in the prolongation of Christ's Incarnation. Bishop Sheen writes of how all priests whether pagan or in the Old Testament offered victims distinct from themselves, such as lambs. But in Christ and the Christian conception, priest and victim are united inseparably. Drawing on his profound knowledge of Scripture, Bishop Sheen is able to describe the exact and true significance of the individual priest, and in vibrant detail, his constant, unending sacrifice-as victim. He writes, "God still thunders to his priests: I have set watchmen, Jerusalem, upon thy walls, that shall never cease crying aloud, day or night; you that keep the Lord in remembrance, take no rest, nor let Him rest either.. (Isaias 62:6, 7)In considering the priest's many obligations and roles, and his ever more gratifying fulfilment of them, Bishop Sheen has created a series of unsurpassed meditations. It is a very concrete guide to the many ways in which each priest can enrich his own spiritual life, as well as the lives of all those around him. The Priest Is Not His Own is the work of a great and beloved inspirational leader - a world-famous priest himself writing eloquently and insistently to his colleagues and to those who would join him in a calling he understands and has most brilliantly realized. Archbishop Fulton Sheen brings the life of the Priesthood of Christ into terms of sacrifice, suffering, and vindication. This book is amazing in that while it speaks primarily to the ministerial Priesthood, the lessons learned can be translated easily to the priesthood of the faithful through Baptism. The depth of this teaching of what a priest "is, " and not what a priest "does, " is amazing. Sheen's ability to speak of deep subjects directly, yet with poetic beauty, is mesmerizing. This is a must read for any Priest. There are many who would recommend reading this book even if you are not a priest. Some have bought the book for sons and grandsons so they would know what would be expected of them if they decided to become priests. When married men read the book substitute the word "Father" for "Priest". For single men reading the book but not contemplating the priesthood or religious life substitute the word "Man" for the word "Priest". Read from this different perspective will change your life and how you live it. This is how God is calling men to live lives of service to others. Read it if you dare - it is not for the faint of heart."

The Priest Is Not His Own.  Becoming the Father God has called you to be.

Love One Another During his presentations, Archbishop Sheen would offer his trademark words of benediction, "God love you".  Sheen explained that this phrase "God love you" means God is love, God loves you, and you ought to love God in return.  Along with his familiar parting phrase of "God love you", Archbishop Sheen was known for beginning his lectures with the greeting "Friends".  This salutation had a twofold meaning: he was referring to the scripture passage "I no longer call you servants . instead, I have called you friends." (John 15:15).  And, he wanted to make friends with men and women of all faiths, in the hope of gradually helping them to come to know the Lord Jesus Christ. With love as its central focus, this anthology begins with a collection of essays and prayers compiled by Fulton Sheen under the title 'Love One Another'.  (Published by P. J. Kenedy & Sons, New York in 1944.)  In these writings, Sheen speaks to Catholics, Protestants, and Jews regarding the fostering of friendships between various religious groups.  Additionally, he makes several practical suggestions on how to improve relations between people of varying backgrounds.  An array of reflections is presented for devotional inspiration, simultaneously laying out a groundwork in spiritual values proven to facilitate harmonious relationships.   The are some who have considered this work a 'must-read' for those sincerely interested in seeking the attainment of a genuine brotherhood of man.  Others may find in this collection, some prayerful and practical solutions to many of today's most challenging interpersonal problems.  Archbishop Fulton Sheen made it clear that the command given by Jesus 'to love your neighbor as yourself', is clearly an effective answer to combating the sin of intolerance. During one of his radio addresses in 1944, Archbishop Sheen fondly said, "I have always addressed you as friends, and you know that unseen friends are sometimes the best friends.  To say 'my friends', would be to claim a privilege.  But friends are the expression of a hope.  A hope that by listening to me, I may with traitorous trueness and with loyal deceit, betray you into the hands of the God of Love and Mercy."   Friends, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, and that you also love one another.  By this, all men will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another."   (John 13:34-35)

Love One Another

For God and Country      In 1941, the United States officially entered World War II.  That same year Sheen penned the book "A Declaration of Dependence."  In it, Sheen writes, "The Declaration of Independence, I repeat, is a Declaration of Dependence! We are independent of dictators because we are dependent on God. God is the necessary factor of our salvation. As a result, he is to be the center of our lives. His ways ought to permeate every aspect and area of our lives: education, employment, pleasure, mourning, socializing, etc. All is done in sight of the omnipotent Lord, and all we do should be done reflecting this knowledge. Our every interaction should be filled with the love of our Savior."      Numerous articles, radio reflections, and books would continue to be produced by Sheen throughout the war.  Given their importance and the impact they had on society in his day, it seemed appropriate to re-release one of Sheen's best seminal works, For God and Country (New York: P. J. Kenedy and Sons, 1941).      The reflections contained in this work are a collection of Sheen's Catholic Hour radio addresses that were heard by millions of listeners each week. These reflections are a series of short essays that addressed the many concerns of the listeners of his day during the war.         Sheen answers questions about the Anti-Christ, hope, the four columns, the cross, and the power of God.  His were some of the most clearly delineated investigations into the underlying causes of the war combined with an entirely sound and hopeful program for winning both the war and the even more important peace are found in them. These powerful reflections can be most heartily recommended for their wise counsel, sane and penetrating analysis, and logical conclusions.      Sheen writes, "There are two ways of looking at the war: one as a journalist, the other as a theologian. The journalist tells you what happens; the theologian not only why it happens, but also what matters. Our approach is from the divine point of view, first of all, because it is the only explanation which fits the facts; secondly, because the American people who have been confused by catchwords and slogans are seeking an inspiration for a total surrender of their great potentialities for sacrifice, both for God and country."      Sheen is firm in his conviction that real peace cannot be declared, it must be made. It is with peace-making and the fundamental conditions on which peace must be based that this book is concerned. In its seven forceful and readable chapters, it challenges the theory of many planners today who posture that military allies are necessarily political allies; it affirms that a common hatred can make nations allies, but only a common love can make them neighbors; it denies the primacy of action over reason, in the sense that the will of the state is that which makes a state right; and it contends that utility does not establish justice, but it is justice which makes utility.       With the same lucid and persuasive reasoning that has made him outstanding both as a writer and as a lecturer, Sheen continues to challenge people of goodwill to unite for the preservation of personal rights, freedom of conscience, human justice, and civilization itself - all of which are in danger in the present conflict. Here, one will recognize the urgency of Sheen's subject matter, and will find pillars of peace and promise in his far-sighted principles.

For God and Country

THE LORD'S PRAYER AND THE SEVEN LAST WORDS During the 1930s and '40s, Fulton Sheen was the featured speaker on The Catholic Hour radio broadcast, and millions of listeners heard his radio addresses each week. His topics ranged from politics and the economy to philosophy and man's eternal pursuit of happiness. Along with his weekly radio program, Sheen wrote dozens of books and pamphlets. One can safely say that through his writings, thousands of people changed their perspective about God and the Church. Possessing a burning zeal to dispel the myths about Our Lord and His Church, Sheen gave a series of powerful presentations on Christ's Passion and His seven last words from the Cross. As a Scripture scholar, Archbishop Sheen knew full well the power contained in preaching Christ crucified. With St. Paul, he could say, "For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified" (1 Cor. 2:2). During his last recorded Good Friday address in 1979, Archbishop Sheen spoke of having given this type of reflection on the subject of Christ's seven last words from the Cross "for the fifty-eighth consecutive time." Whether from the young priest in Peoria, Illinois, the university professor in Washington, D. C., or the bishop in New York, Sheen's messages were sure to make an indelible mark on his listeners. Given their importance and the impact they had on society, it seemed appropriate to reintroduce a number of these reflections from 1933 and 1935 on the Seven Last Words and The Lord's Prayer. Fulton Sheen wrote: Our Lord is the only King who ever stumbled to His throne. But that was because He is God, and God reveals His Power through the weakness of a crucifixion and His Wisdom through the foolishness of a cross. What message will the King deliver from His unkingly throne? Last words are always important but particularly the last words of Him Who gave His Life for the redemption of many! It will be recalled that one day, the Apostles approached Him saying: "Lord, teach us to pray." He answered their request by giving them the perfect prayer: the Our Father. Now the time comes for Him to say His own "Our Father." As there were seven petitions in the "Our Father" He taught us, so there are seven petitions in His own last prayer. They are known as the Seven Last Words. We shall meditate conjointly on our "Our Father, " and His "Our Father."Our Father Who art in heaven. / Father, forgive them for they know not what they do. Hallowed be Thy Name. / Amen, I say to thee, this day thou shalt be with me in paradise. Thy Kingdom Come. / Woman, behold thy son. Thy Will be done on earth as it is in heaven. / My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?Give us this day our daily bread. / I thirst. Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. / It is consummated. Deliver us from all evil. Amen. / Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit. The Lord's Prayer and the Seven Last Words have been referred to as "Two Bridges Connecting Heaven and Earth". In the pages that will follow, Archbishop Sheen will help us to understand this in a more deep and meaningful way.

The Lord's Prayer and the Seven Last Words

God Love You - The Best of Fulton J. Sheen Each paragraph has been selected from over two dozen books written by him for the particular help and guidance they can bring to the reader.  These brief, incisive selections from Archbishop Sheen reveal the mind of a brilliant man and a true pastor of souls. In this anthology, you will find a treasury of guideposts wherein Sheen highlights the role of the virtues, the passions, and the value of personal introspection. He engages the reader using his unique blend of sensitivity and humor. During one of his radio addresses in 1944, Archbishop Sheen fondly said, "I have always addressed you as friends, and you know that unseen friends are sometimes the best friends.  To say 'my friends', would be to claim a privilege.  But friends are the expression of a hope.  A hope that by listening to me, I may with traitorous trueness and with loyal deceit, betray you into the hands of the God of Love and Mercy."   Friends, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, and that you also love one another.  By this, all men will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another."   (John 13:34-35)

God Love You - The Best of Fulton J. Sheen

World-renowned evangelist, Emmy Award winner and New York Times best-selling author Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen presents a collection of engaging sermons, encouraging the reader to understand that the seven deadly sins can be overcome. Throughout this series of talks, Archbishop Sheen will provide some valuable insights on how to overcome the various forms of sin and vice. Using the Seven Last Words spoken by Jesus from the Cross on Calvary as a backdrop, Sheen will address matters concerning various addictions and patterns of habitual sin. He will use his inimitable writing style, with immediacy, yet conveying joy and comfort in the subject matter. These meditations on the Seven Last Words correlated to the seven deadly sins make no pretence to absoluteness. The Words are not necessarily related to the seven deadly sins but they do make convenient points of illustrations. HELP IN OVERCOMING THE SIN OF ANGER"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."HELP IN OVERCOMING THE SIN OF ENVY"This day thou shalt be with Me in Paradise."HELP IN OVERCOMING THE SIN OF LUST"Woman, behold thy son! (Son) Behold thy mother!"HELP IN OVERCOMING THE SIN OF PRIDE"My God! My God! Why hast Thou hast abandoned Me?"HELP IN OVERCOMING THE SIN OF GLUTTONY"I thirst."HELP IN OVERCOMING THE SIN OF SLOTH"It is finished."HELP IN OVERCOMING THE SIN OF COVETOUSNESS"Father, into Thy Hands, I commend My Spirit."This book has only one aim: to awaken a love for Our Lord and to give the reader an understanding of how the Seven Last Words can be used as a remedy to help one to overcome the seven deadly sins of anger, envy, lust, pride, gluttony, sloth, and covetousness. If it does that in but one soul, its publication has been justified. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen was a man for all seasons. Over his lifetime, he spent himself for souls, transforming lives with the clear teaching of the truths of Christ and His Church through his books, his radio addresses, his lectures, his television series, and his many newspaper columns. The topics of this much-sought-after lecturer ranged from the social concerns of the day to matters of faith and morals. With an easy and personable manner, Sheen could strike up a conversation on just about any subject, making numerous friends as well as converts. During the 1930s and '40s, Fulton Sheen was the featured speaker on The Catholic Hour radio broadcast, and millions of listeners heard his radio addresses each week. His topics ranged from politics and the economy to philosophy and man's eternal pursuit of happiness. Possessing a burning zeal to dispel the myths about Our Lord and His Church, Sheen gave a series of powerful presentations on Christ's Passion and His seven last words from the Cross. As a Scripture scholar, Archbishop Sheen knew full well the power contained in preaching Christ crucified. With St. Paul, he could say, "For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified" (1 Cor. 2:2). During his last recorded Good Friday address in 1979, Archbishop Sheen spoke of having given this type of reflection on the subject of Christ's seven last words from the Cross "for the fifty-eighth consecutive time." Whether from the young priest in Peoria, Illinois, the university professor in Washington, D. C., or the bishop in New York, Sheen's messages were sure to make an indelible mark on his listeners. Given their importance and the impact they had on society, it seemed appropriate to reintroduce these reflections once again on overcoming the seven deadly sins.

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