These days Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity’s conversations are full of connections with soon to be beatified Fulton J. Sheen. One of the blessings of being a congregation of 157 years on November 9 is that you have more stories to tell. As shared earlier this summer, we made 1000 rosaries for the Mass at The Dome at the America Center in St. Louis, Missouri. Since that time we were serious to check out each of our libraries for any possible autograph of the Venerable Archbishop. Needless to say, it was obvious our Sisters have been reading and checking out his different titles. Our carefully typed card catalog reveals many a book by this prolific writer, but there is no personalized trace to him on the title page. No autographs at book signings to be had.
In the years the newly ordained Father Sheen was a professor at Catholic University of America 1925-1948, our Sisters were there too. Some of our Sister students were Mother Inez Phelan, Sister Denise Cardin, Sister Mary Lawrence Bauer, Sister Mary Helen Fagen, Sister Virginia Marie Roll, Sister De Sales Regan, Sister Modesta Raymond, Sister Teresita Kittell, Sister Marina Scheau, Sister Henrielda Cloutier, Sister Catherine O’Neill, Sister Mercedes Spaulding, Sister Julitta Hennes, Sister Rita Ellen Hoffman, Sister Rosaire Hart, Sister Joan Bergeron, Sister Rosamond Nugent, Sister Salome Antoine, Sister Orestes Kohlbeck, Sister Aquinas Kinskey, Sister Mary Bernard Killian, Sister Bernetta Brislen, Sister Rosalima Kloiber, Sister Martina Murphy, Sister Edith Dunn, Sister Hortense Rugowski, Sister Denise Cardin and Sister Pius Zoch. Tuition for Sisters was very affordable. It was free. Our Sisters were able to be educated to help others. They had dreams to teach our own Sisters at Holy Family College and others.
Being followers of St. Francis and keeping life simple, it made sense that none of our Sisters had personal copies of his books. It also was clear that his books on our shelves have that well-read look. Even a more recent find, My Uncle Fulton Sheen by Joan Sheen Cunningham and Janel Rodriguez, has a library card with a record of Sister names. Having an inside look at this up and coming saint from a relative’s perspective is certainly refreshing. Fulton Sheen’s support of his family and their love for him is a blessed read especially for any young woman who is discerning her own call from God and for her family.
When you hear Archbishop Sheen’s name dropped in our convent, you will always hear stories of the T.V. in the convent having a cloth over it. The Community was cautious about the influence of television on their lives as religious and knew they needed to balance everything in moderation. On rare occasions, like the death of a Pope or the death of President John F. Kennedy, it was uncovered for community viewing. Indeed, another time the Sisters actually watched television was the Archbishop’s From the Angel’s Blackboard series. Sheen’s show was thought worthy of the great unveiling and considered important for growing in faith personally and in teaching others. Thank you, Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen for your witness of rebuilding Christ’s Church.
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