Dear friends of Fr. Benedict,

From the Hospital

Message for Saturday, May 8, 2004

It’s amazing how your life can be completely interrupted in a single second. That’s what happens when you have an automobile accident, stroke, or heart attack. Life can also be interrupted over a period of time by a family crisis, a personal difficulty, or a family scandal. We always think of an interruption as the end of the world, but that is an illusion. Life is a journey, and it’s going to eternal life. Whatever gets us on the road and keeps us there following Jesus to eternal life is good. In the Gospel Our Lord warns people not to put too much stock in what they own, or what they accomplish; He speaks to the rich farmer who died, or the rich man whose other brothers were very rich, and He compared them to the poor beggar. It’s important to look at catastrophes and tragedies as a reminder that we don’t have here a lasting city, but we seek one that is to come. That way nothing can deter us from eternal life.

Let us continue to pray for each other!

Father Benedict

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Dear Fr. Benedict: The newest video on your website is truly awesome, and after reading the comments posted today about what a handsome young friar you WERE, I imagined God looking down and saying "And what a handsome young friar he still IS!". We know God's time is not our time, and the eye of God sees infinitely beyond the realm of the human eye. From the day you were conceived...grew as a precious, thoughtful, young child...were formed into a handsome and holy priest...and ultimately arrived at the rehab institute on this day in May 2004, I think God must have looked at your life as one beautiful, bright, fresh cup of blessing... a divinely wrapped gift that has much yet to be savored. Your beauty has not faded in the least with age or trauma. It is simply able to radiate more brightly now in a way the naked eye was less able to see in the past. With God's continued grace and blessings may your true and lasting beauty continue to grow! You remain in my thoughts and prayers.
-Mary Ann, Powell, Ohio

Dear Father, You said your life was taken off track. Dear Father it was not. This is what Jesus wanted. Maybe to help other souls by your suffering. You see the thing is about God that if you try to be a saint he will eventually really make you one. I often think in my own life Oh, my God, why this? Then just look at the cross. This is the guy you are following what else did you expect?- Rosemarie, Lowell, Mass.

I have watched the utterly compelling and utterly beautiful film many times. Fr. Benedict, it is the sound of YOUR VOICE- not even that lovely music- that is what captivates. It is the sound of holiness. A small miracle happened to me today: I heard from the Dean of the Episcopal Cathedral in San Francisco (a friend of mine, whom I had asked to view this website). He said he knew you, Father, from New York studies days. He had apparently not known of your accident. He told me that he sent you an e-mail! I am deeply thrilled by this, as he would not ordinarily be expected to have much to do with (ahem!) someone like YOU! :> You might be a bit too stern, I would think. Oh, Father Benedict, how beautiful is your voice! You are in my daily prayers, always in my heart and thanksgiving. I love you very much.-Marianne, Ames, Iowa

Dear Father Benedict,
Lord, have mercy. When I went to Youth 2000, in Des Moines,a few years ago with the Confirmation class, I stared at the candles and said to myself, "Where have I seen this before?" I just stared and stared and suddenly it came to me that it was on the back cover of the book I had bought, by you, on Eucharistic Devotion, History and Psychology. Today, I was watching the video staring at the pictures, and ,naturally, tears were rolling down my cheeks. I can't help it, I'm Italian. Anyway, it struck me again. Those pictures looked familiar, and then I remembered. I saw them, years ago on my book covers or in the back where they sometimes put a short biography. It was then that I felt the length of the journey. I am awestruck at how long it has taken me to start to understand. I have to admit, I just took your word for it at the beginning, and just went on faith. I am still learning. Thank you so much for all that you have taught me. I was so broken at one time and I can feel the difference Jesus has made in my life. It was a long time ago,(in human years), that I made the decision to follow Him, I have never regretted it. However, I would never have been able to take that first, small, baby step out of the darkness if I hadn't by Divine intervention happened upon your books. Again,thank you. I continue to pray for your recovery. May God bless and keep you always.-Charlotte, Chariton, Iowa

Dear Fr. Benedict.- Mexican children loves your daily reflections. They will write and share with you soon their experiences,.. especially a girl of 12 years old whom participated in our Via-Crucis,.. and after 3 years,she is out by a miracle and your prayers of a Cancer. Let us continue to pray for each other. Yoya Guadalajara,-Jalisco, Mexico

Dear father Benedict, I want to say that my prayer is also for you and the brothers and the sisters. Although that I life a rather "poor" Catholic life and I have many doubts
I see in you a good roman Catholic Priest because you speak the truth (as pope John Paul II does) and for many of us this is hard to hear. Get beter soon and I hope some day to meet you or to meet brothers or sisters of your Francsiscans of the Renewal!!!- Henri, Heverlee, Vlaams-Brabant , BELGIUM

Querido Padre Benedict: Que Dios lo bendiga por tanto que nos da a todos los Catolicos de este mundo!! Oramos por Ud. y esperamos que, con cada dia que pase, se sienta mejor!!! Rogare a la Virgen de Guadalupe por que pronto todo esto haya pasado. "To Jesus through Mary"! Ave Maria! lo quiere,-SOFI , cubana viviendo en. ORLANDO

Dear Viedo Staff,
Your last viedo for me was the best yet!!! You out did yourself!! We have often read that one picture is worth a 1000 words....in the case of the last viedo ...100.000 words for me. God bless and many thanks. You really made my day.-Mary, Owensboro, Kentucky

Dear Father Benedict, I am Raser I hope you feel better. I am six and I prayed for you and I will again.I liked what you said. I love Jesus and you. love,-Raser, Bigfork, Montana

Praise God for you Fr. Benedict. We met by accident. It was by your accident that I was more deeply introduced to you and I want to know more about you and what you preach as a result. You are remembered in my prayers. God Bless You. Praise be Jesus.-Pinole, California

What a wonderful film on Friday, May 7! The other films that have appeared on this site from time to time have also been remarkable tributes to Fr. Benedict. Please consider consolidating them and putting them on one VHS tape or DVD. You have chosen the most beautiful music to accompany these films and I am sure all of us who "visit" with Fr. Benedict on a regular basis would like to know where to purchase the music. Thank you so much for allowing God's gifts to you (film making, film producing, etc) to shine on us all. It is apparent that you not only love film making but that you love Fr. Benedict. I, for one, appreciate your efforts and bless you.-Anne, Richmond, Kentucky

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