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Events that happened Today in Church History
 
Today is the 22nd anniversary of the death of Pope Paul VI, 262nd successor of Peter, whose pontificate lasted 15 years. It was Paul VI who brought the Second Vatican Council to its conclusion on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception in 1965. In 1975 he celebrated the 25th Jubilee. He also instituted the Bishops Synods and allowed clerical dress other than cassocks to be worn by priests. Unfortunately, many abused that privilege, becoming ashamed to wear the Roman Collar. He will forever be famous for his masterful encyclical Humanae Vitae which was scorned by so many and began the split within the Church between those who remain loyal to the teachings of the Church and those who choose to disobey and follow their own will and who spawned the insidious "spirit of Vatican II" instead of the true intent of the Second Vatican Council Fathers. Like his predecessor Pope John XXIII, Pope Paul VI's cause for beatification has been introduced. For other time capsule events that happened Today in Church history, see MILLENNIUM MILESTONES AND MEMORIES
 Even the greatest must pray!
They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but the words of Bishop Fulton J. Sheen have been known to launch a thousand images in one's mind, one of the ways this late luminary did so much to evangelize the faith. Because of the urgency of the times and because few there are today who possess the wisdom, simplicity and insight than the late Archbishop who touched millions, we are bringing you daily gems from his writings. The good bishop makes it so simple that we have dubbed this daily series: "SIMPLY SHEEN".
" Silence helps speech; retirement helps thinking. A contemporary of Abraham Lincoln tells us that
he spent three weeks with Lincoln just after the Battle of Bull Run: 'I could not sleep. I was
repeating the part that I was to play in a public performance. The hour was past midnight. Indeed, it
was coming near to dawn, when I heard low tones coming from the room where the President
slept. The door was partly open. I instinctively walked in and there I saw a sight which I shall never
forger. It was the President, kneeling beside an open Bible. The light was turned low in the room.
His back was turned toward me. For a moment I was silent, as I stood looking in amazement and
wonder. Then he cried out in tones so pleading and sorrowful: 'O God Who heard Solomon in the
night that he prayed for wisdom, hear me; I cannot lead this people, I cannot guide the affairs of this
nation without Your help. I am poor and weak and sinful. O God, Who heard Solomon when he cried
to You, hear me and save this nation.'"
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