Fulton Sheen to be beatified, September 24, 2026

   

 Below is an excerpt from the introduction to Praying in the Presence of the Lord with Fulton Sheen , edited by Michael Dubruiel, originally published in 2002. 

Excerpts from the book will be published in this space over the next few weeks, in honor of Archbishop Sheen's beatification on September 24, 2026. 

Reflection (2)

 Spend some time reflecting on the following:

1. Imagine that through some mistake while you are alive the report goes out that you have died, How would your life be summed up in your obituary in tomorrow's paper? (You may find it helpful to write Out your own obituary.) Ask God for the grace to know what you need to change in your life,

2. Imagine that you are an observer at your own funeral. Who attends? Is there someone whose absence bothers you? Is there anyone that you are surprised to see there? What are people talking about as they reflect on your life? Again ask God for the grace to know what you should learn from this exercise.

3. Imagine that you are standing at the judgment seat of God. Imagine God loving you and welcom-ing you into His presence. How does this make you feel? What does God’s love reveal to you about your life? Is there a task that God asks you if you have completed? Ask God for the grace to take up the unfinished business of your life.

Prayer

Lord, open my eyes to see what it is that you want me to do, Give me the grace necessary to focus on what it is that I am to do in my life. Help me always to seek your will in all that I do. Amen.