In the final chapter of the retreat, Bishop Fulton Sheen reflects on the profound spiritual journey of Simon Peter, focusing on his fall, repentance, and ultimate transformation. Sheen explores Peter’s dual identity as both “Simon,” representing human weakness, and “Peter,” the rock upon which Christ built His Church. Peter’s denial of Christ, despite his bold claims of unwavering loyalty, highlights the frailty of human nature when disconnected from grace. Sheen identifies five stages in Peter’s fall: neglecting prayer, prioritizing action over spirituality, following Christ from a distance, seeking worldly comfort, and ultimately denying Christ altogether.

Sheen then shifts to Peter’s recovery, emphasizing three critical moments of redemption. First, the crowing of the cock serves as a moment of divine awakening, calling Peter to recognize his failure. Second, Christ’s merciful and loving gaze pierces Peter’s heart, prompting deep remorse. Finally, Peter’s tears of repentance signify his transformation and renewed commitment to his divine calling. Sheen illustrates how this experience deepened Peter’s humility, enabling him to grow into his role as a servant-leader of the Church, as seen in his later writings.

In conclusion, Sheen uses Peter’s journey as a universal lesson, encouraging the faithful to embrace humility, vigilance in prayer, and the grace of repentance. He reminds his audience that failure is not final but a step toward redemption and growth in faith. Peter’s story, Sheen asserts, stands as a testament to Christ’s infinite mercy and the transformative power of divine grace. This reflection serves as the culmination of the retreat, leaving listeners with a renewed sense of hope and a call to deepen their trust in God’s unfailing love.

In Part 14 of the retreat, Fulton Sheen reflects on the current spiritual challenges faced by the Church and the faithful, describing the present era as a profound hour of testing. He declares that Christendom, the societal influence of Christian principles, has come to an end, though Christianity and the Church remain alive. Sheen highlights symptoms of moral decay, including the breakdown of the family, dishonesty, and the normalization of immorality, all of which signify a decline from within rather than an attack from without. He emphasizes the need to resist conformity to the secular world, warning against the spirit of worldliness that tempts Christians to compromise their faith.

Sheen situates this decline within the historical rhythm of the Church’s death and rebirth, noting parallels with previous crises such as the fall of Rome, the Muslim invasions, and the Reformation. He asserts that the current challenge lies in combating the spirit of the world, which seeks to dilute Christian values. Despite this bleak assessment, Sheen expresses hope, viewing this testing as an opportunity for a creative and faithful minority to emerge. He likens this remnant to Caleb and Joshua, who trusted in God’s promises despite opposition, urging the faithful to embrace their identity as a “minority report” committed to upholding divine truth.

Concluding with a call to action, Sheen underscores the necessity of discipline, sacrifice, and a return to the “sword” of spiritual warfare within oneself. He ties this personal transformation to peace, arguing that societal peace cannot exist without individual peace with God. The central remedy he proposes is the Holy Hour, which he sees as an act of personal and collective reparation, empowering the faithful to persevere amidst adversity. Sheen closes with a poignant reminder that true victory has already been secured in Christ, though the world has yet to fully realize it.

In Part 13 of the retreat, Fulton Sheen reflects on the multifaceted roles of the Blessed Virgin Mary as the Mother of God, the spiritual spouse of the Church, and the ideal model of humanity. Sheen begins by emphasizing the decline in devotion to Mary and its correlation with the erosion of virtues like celibacy, chastity, and the sanctity of marriage. He portrays Mary as the eternal dream of God, conceived in His divine mind as the perfect and sinless new Eden, free from the corruption of sin. Mary is the ultimate ideal of virginity and motherhood, embodying the balance of giving and surrendering that defines these vocations.

Sheen proceeds to highlight Mary’s unique vocation as the Mother of God, exploring the mysteries of the Annunciation and the virgin birth. He explains how Mary’s “yes” to God made her the vessel of the Incarnation, giving Christ His human nature. This act of complete surrender and possession by God demonstrates Mary’s unparalleled spiritual intimacy with the divine. Sheen draws parallels between the physical conception of Christ in Mary and the spiritual conception of Christ in believers, emphasizing the importance of surrendering one’s intellect, will, and body to God in faith.

Finally, Sheen delves into Mary’s role as the spiritual spouse and bride of Christ, particularly at the foot of the cross. He describes the crucifixion as the nuptial union of the new Adam and the new Eve, where Mary represents the Church, the bride of Christ. This profound relationship underscores the centrality of Mary in the mystery of salvation and the Church’s identity. Sheen concludes with a call to deepen devotion to Mary, urging the faithful to rediscover practices like the Rosary as a way of fostering intimacy with both Mary and her Son. He insists that love for the Church and commitment to its mission are intrinsically tied to love for the Blessed Mother.

In Part 12 of the retreat, The Power of the Devil in the World Today, Fulton Sheen examines the pervasive influence of the demonic in contemporary society. He argues that the rapid moral and spiritual decline seen worldwide cannot be explained solely by cultural or sociological factors but points to an external, alien force—Satan. Sheen critiques the lack of discourse on the satanic within modern Catholic writings, contrasting it with insights from literature and psychiatry, which often better recognize the destructive patterns of the demonic. Drawing from authors like Dostoevsky and Nietzsche, he highlights prophetic warnings about societal disintegration and the rejection of God, emphasizing that evil thrives when its existence is denied.

Sheen identifies the essence of the demonic as the fragmentation of unity and the rejection of the cross. From a psychiatric perspective, he outlines its manifestations in the breakdown of families, pervasive violence, and the loss of personal integrity, likening these to the possession of the man in the land of the Gerasenes. Biblically, he ties the demonic to contempt for discipline, mortification, and self-denial, showing how Satan tempts humanity with shortcuts to power and pleasure, bypassing the sacrificial path of the cross. Sheen warns of double agents within the Church, whose actions erode its foundation, and stresses the urgency of vigilance against such influences.

In his conclusion, Sheen urges believers to put on the spiritual armor described by St. Paul in Ephesians, equipping themselves with truth, integrity, faith, and prayer to withstand the forces of evil. He emphasizes the need for renewed focus on Christ and the cross, as only through embracing the sacrifice and unity of the faith can the Church effectively confront the growing power of the demonic in the world today.

In part 11 of the retreat, Fulton Sheen delves into the story of Judas Iscariot, reflecting on the reasons behind his betrayal and the broader spiritual lessons it imparts. Sheen begins by emphasizing that Judas was not chosen to be a traitor but an apostle. Despite his privileged position, Judas’s fall stemmed from a gradual loss of faith, particularly marked by his rejection of the Eucharist when Christ announced it. Sheen highlights that this turning point caused a division among Christ’s followers and ultimately led to Judas’s betrayal. The betrayal is tied to Judas’s avarice and cynicism, but Sheen asserts that these were symptoms of a deeper spiritual decay.

Sheen recounts the dramatic events of the Last Supper and the betrayal in Gethsemane, underscoring Judas’s superficial loyalty. Judas’s outward appearance of respect, shown in his kiss, masked his inner corruption—a poignant reminder of how easily external piety can hide internal betrayal. Sheen uses this moment to illustrate a recurring pattern: when individuals lose their connection to Christ through prayer, the Eucharist, and the sacraments, they risk falling into spiritual ruin. Judas’s failure to seek reconciliation with Christ after the betrayal led to his despair and tragic end, serving as a stark contrast to Peter, who also denied Christ but repented and was redeemed.

In conclusion, Sheen reflects on the profound lesson of Judas’s life: anyone can sell Christ for worldly gain, but no one can buy him back. This betrayal, rooted in a failure of faith and love, serves as a warning and a call to deeper prayer, vigilance, and commitment to the Eucharist. Sheen challenges his audience to engrave this lesson on their hearts, recognizing the ever-present danger of losing sight of Christ in their spiritual journey.

Part 10 of the Retreat: The Power of the Resurrection

Fulton Sheen reflects on the Resurrection as a present and ongoing reality, emphasizing its transformative power in the lives of individuals and the world. He explores the parallels between physical birth, spiritual birth through baptism, and the final “birth” into eternity through death. Sheen likens the reluctance to embrace eternity to a child hesitant to leave the womb, stressing that just as physical birth introduces us to a world of beauty, so too does death lead to eternal joy. He frames the Resurrection as the ultimate assurance of another life, rooted in Christ’s triumph over death, which continues to inspire hope and renewal.

Sheen delves into the personal and societal implications of the Resurrection, illustrating its impact through stories of redemption and transformation. He shares compelling anecdotes of individuals overcoming addiction, sin, and despair through the grace of God, highlighting the Resurrection’s ability to breathe new life into the body, mind, and soul. This renewal extends to all aspects of life, including art, music, and even the Church itself, as Sheen illustrates with examples of lives radically changed by encountering Christ’s power.

In conclusion, Sheen contrasts worldly despair with Christian hope, grounded in the cross and Resurrection. He argues that belief in the Resurrection gives life meaning, turning even suffering into an adventure filled with purpose and joy. By aligning with Christ’s redemptive work, believers experience true peace and happiness, knowing that whether in life or death, they are united with Christ. Sheen challenges his audience to embrace the Resurrection as a transformative force, making life a journey toward eternal fulfillment.

In part 9 of the retreat, Fulton Sheen reflects on the continuous reality of Christ’s Passion, emphasizing that it is not merely a historical event but a present and ongoing reality. He explains that Christ’s suffering is completed in his head but continues in his mystical body, the Church. Drawing from Scripture, Sheen highlights the words of Christ to Saul, “Why are you persecuting me?” to show that the persecution of Christians and the suffering of humanity are deeply connected to Christ’s Passion. Through this lens, suffering takes on a redemptive and mystical dimension, uniting believers with Christ’s sacrifice.

Sheen elaborates on the conscious and unconscious participation in Christ’s suffering. Conscious participation occurs when individuals willingly offer their pain and trials in union with Christ, transforming personal hardship into a source of spiritual power and intercession. He emphasizes the privilege of being close to the suffering, recognizing the presence of Christ in their pain. Unconscious participation, Sheen explains, happens in the lives of those who suffer without knowing Christ explicitly, yet their suffering reflects his Passion. He calls for a changed outlook, urging believers to see Christ in the faces of the suffering and to approach the world with faith that transcends appearances.

Fulton Sheen explores the ongoing reality of the Incarnation, urging the audience to see it as a living event rather than a distant historical moment. He explains that the Incarnation began when the Virgin Mary consented to give God a human nature, uniting divinity and humanity in Christ. Through this union, Christ became the ultimate prophet, king, and priest, teaching divine truth, governing creation, and sanctifying humanity through his sacrifice. Sheen emphasizes that Christ’s mission didn’t end with his earthly life—it continues through those who dedicate their lives to him. Just as Mary said “yes” to God, priests, religious, and laypeople are called to offer their nature to Christ for his work in the world.

Sheen highlights how the Incarnation transforms those who embrace it, granting them identity and purpose. He challenges priests, religious, and laity to align themselves with Christ so completely that they lose their attachment to worldly values and become true instruments of God. This deep union with Christ allows his truth and sanctity to shine through them, whether in teaching, leadership, or personal holiness. Sheen warns that modern society’s crisis of identity stems from rejecting divine boundaries and norms. He argues that embracing Christ restores identity and frees individuals from the slavery of sin and self-centeredness.

In conclusion, Sheen underscores the importance of flexibility and availability to God’s will. He compares the human soul to a pencil in God’s hand—only when fully surrendered can it write his message in the world. The world is desperate for other Christs, and Sheen calls his audience to be those living witnesses. By meditating on Scripture, deepening their prayer life, and embracing their unique roles in Christ’s mission, the faithful can bring the living Incarnation to a world that yearns for divine love and purpose.