PEORIA HEIGHTS, Ill. — A local mother is sharing her story of how she says an Archbishop from central Illinois saved her child’s life.
In 2010, Bonnie Engstrom’s son James was stillborn. After praying for more than an hour for Archbishop Fulton Sheen to intercede, James had a pulse.
“It was when the doctors in the emergency room were calling time of death that his heart started to beat again.”
Within the past few months, Sheen’s remains were moved from New York to Peoria, and the Peoria Diocese is pursuing plans for his Beatification.
Engstrom shared her story with students at Saint Thomas Catholic School Wednesday.
“Fulton Sheen was from Peoria, so I think it’s really exciting that a local boy, a hometown boy can go on and do great things with his life and be influential for the entire world,” said Engstrom. “I feel like it’s a privilege and an honor to share this story as much as I can. I’m really excited for them. I hope that they go home and have something good to talk about at the dinner table with their parents tonight.
In July, Catholic Diocese of Peoria Bishop Daniel Jenky announced that Pope Francis formally approved the miracle attributed to Sheen. The Diocese is now planning for Sheen’s Beatification, which would take place in Peoria.
