Miracle that paved the way for Fulton Sheen’s beatification

George Kommattam - September 2026

A newborn had no heartbeat. Doctors could not revive him. His family began praying for the intercession of Fulton Sheen. Then, after more than an hour, something extraordinary happened: the baby's heart began beating.

In September 2010, James Fulton Engstrom was born in Illinois without a detectable pulse. Medical efforts to revive him continued for more than an hour. His parents, Bonnie and Travis Engstrom, were devastated.

Then the family turned to Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.

They prayed for his intercession, and a relic associated with Sheen was placed near the baby.

Then came the moment nobody expected.

James's heart began to beat.

He was resuscitated and survived. Doctors had feared that such a prolonged lack of circulation could result in severe neurological damage. Yet James went on to recover far beyond what had been anticipated.

For his family, the recovery was attributed to the intercession of Archbishop Sheen.

But the Church demanded more than a family's testimony.

The case underwent a rigorous investigation. Medical experts examined James's condition, the circumstances of his birth and his recovery. The case was then examined by the Church's theological authorities to determine whether the healing could be attributed to the intercession of Fulton Sheen.

On July 6, 2019, Pope Francis authorized the decree recognizing the miracle attributed to the intercession of Venerable Fulton Sheen.

That recognition paved the way for his beatification.

Born in Illinois in 1895, Fulton Sheen became one of America's most influential Catholic preachers. As a priest, bishop, author and radio and television evangelist, he brought the Catholic faith into millions of homes. Even after his death in 1979, devotion to him continued to grow.

Now, more than four decades after his death, the Church is preparing to celebrate his beatification.

On September 24, 2026, Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen will be beatified in St. Louis, Missouri, with Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle serving as the Pope's special envoy.

Behind this historic moment is the story of a little boy who had no detectable heartbeat, a family that prayed for Fulton Sheen's intercession, and a recovery that the Church ultimately recognized as a miracle.

One life was restored. One miracle was recognized. And the journey of Fulton Sheen toward the altars moved forward.

Venerable Fulton Sheen, pray for us.

(Image Courtsey:oursundayvisitor.com)

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