The Venerable Fulton J. Sheen

Ten years after Pope John Paul II declared him a Servant of God, Pope Benedict XVI promulgated a decree June 28 declaring Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen “Venerable.”

Read more: http://www.ncregister.com/daily-news/archbishop-fulton-j.-sheen-declared-venerable/#ixzz1zH7eRwkD

Next Stop Beatification, which currently has the first alleged miracle for his cause. A baby who was named after the Archbishop was born lifeless near Sheen's hometown and  had no pulse for 61 minutes then came back to life after prayers asking for the intercession from the prelate.

Knowing Archbishop's Sheen flair for the dramatic, I thought there must be some significance in the 61 number in the miracle. Why not 56 minutes, or 67 minutes, etc...

Here is my thought:

Mark 6:1 starts talking about Christ returning to his hometown and goes on to say all that heard him preach were astonished.

This apparent miracle at the hospital took place in Peoria, Sheen's home town, the "all that heard him preached were astonished" defines Sheen's life.

Mark continues:
"From whence hath this [man] these things? and what wisdom [is] this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?" "The answer is," as Archbishop Sheen liked to say, that all of these things and this mighty work is coming through Sheen's intercession at the throne of Christ to confirm his path to sainthood.

Maybe the Irishman in the Archbishop is having a little fun with us.