Dear friends of Fr. Benedict,

From the Hospital

Message for Sunday, May 9, 2004

Many of our good Christian friends are puzzled by Catholic devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of Christ. Yet Catholics who have gonethrough serious times and catastrophes are likely to understand very well the devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Whether the problems are their own or of those dear to them is irrelevant. From the beginning of the Christian era Catholics and Orthodox Christians have turned in prayer to the Mother of Jesus and have asked her for her assistance in the difficulties of life. I’m not so sure why. Even with little training we do this, but it certainly works. I’ve had lots of training, but like a simple child I turn to the Blessed Virgin Mary in times of trial and difficulty. I am sure I experience her intercession and motherly care. You don’t have to prove this to me. During my stay in the hospital I have prayed daily to our Blessed Mother for strength, intercession, and good example. I have a couple of Marian pictures up in my room. One of them is Our Lady of Guadalupe. I came into the room one day and two of the Mexican nurse’s aides were deep in prayer before the image of Our Lady. They were embarrassed when I came, but I told them I was delighted to see them there and I welcomed them anytime. I wish that I could spread this devotion among my fellow patients, some of whom seem very discouraged at times.

Let us continue to pray for each other!

Father Benedict

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Dear Father Benedict, Today it has hit me how far reaching this site is. You have touched the lives of people ALL OVER THE WORLD! What a witness you are for the Lord. I am reading letters from Belgium, Portugal, Mexico, and Africa, just to name a few. And as I read these letters and salutations, I am reminded how The Church speaks to ALL people. Jesus came for ALL. I am truly grateful for this site. It brings me daily meditations from you, Father Groeschel, and prayers of connection with my "fellow travellers" of Christ's Church. Truly a daily blessing....... I continue to pray for you and "the Church". - Janet, East Haddam, Cinncinati

Dear Father Benedict: I pray many Rosaries and Novenas of Divine Mercy for you daily. This past week I have increased the number of prayers I've said for you. I've also offered up a lot of mental agony I've endured this week, hoping that it will help you with the great trials you are enduring. I listen to your comforting messages on the website and I often catch your series on EWTN. Courage dear Father. YOU ARE LOVED. Thank you for praying for me. - Adrienne, Canada

Dear Fr. Benedict and the young men of Grassroots, what an awesome video (He chose to follow Jesus). Father, you are such an inspiration to all of us! The love that those young men from Grassroots have for you is tangibly felt through the videos they have made, and seeing these videos have made all of us, I'm sure, love you even more. May you continue, through God's grace, to teach us all how to follow Jesus more and more closely everyday of our lives. I send all our love and prayers from myself and The Oratory of Divine Love group here in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Yours in Christ, - Michelle, Canada

Dearest Father Benedict.....you love of our Lord inspires me so much. As someone who became a Catholic as an adult I have so much to learn. Bless you and may the Lord keep you safe in his arms. May we have peace in the world!! - Darlene, Wilton, Maine

Dear Fr. Benedict,
JOY! I watched the latest video stream on the Friars website and it so touched my heart with the joy that has been so present in you. Having only known you a few years, I could not know that the light in your eyes and your heart is one that has shined for a very long time. Not that you are so old but that your love of Chirst and his teachings is ageless and pure. What a lesson in faith and dignity you are. Thank you and May God continue to bless you as you have so blessed us all who know you. - Dara, Woodside, California

Dear Father Groeschel: I have been so blessed by your programs on EWTN, and I have read several of your books which have also been blessings for me. God speaks through you. I am a relatively new Catholic (2 years), and have learned a great deal from you which lets me know with even more certainty that the Catholic Church is where I belong. Please know that my prayers and thoughts are with you now.Sincerely, - Deb, Wichita, Kansas

Dearest Father Groeschel... praised be Jesus and Mary.
We continue to pray for you each day and to keep track of your recovery by the grace of this web site. When you first had your accident, I was devastated that we might lose you (selfishly I suppose we want you here with us in this valley of tears). I couldn't understand how your guardian angel didn't protect you or why God would permit such a great suffering for you. Now as we keep praying and keeping vigil these many months, my humble heart can in some small way understand that our wonderful GOD has shown us HIS MERCY in your slow healing, HIS GENEROSITY in saving your life, HIS BLESSINGS and TEACHINGS by your YES to continue teaching us how to suffer with love, with hope, with confidence, with trust. We have so much to be thankful for through your accident but now that I write this I realize it would take too many words to express it all. Thank you God for Fr. Groeschel and Thank you Fr. Groeschel, thank you for loving GOD so much and being a living witness. - Alice,Cape Coral, Florida

Good morning Fr. Benedict. Thank you for showing "The Body of Christ" in your film. Since I am fairly shut in, and recieve in "The Spirit" every day, it is always touching for me to see a physical picture of "The Host". Thank you so very much! P.S.(Is that Jesus' hand? It looks like it to me!!) Once again, thank you very much. - Marie, Wilton, Maine

Dear Fr.Benedict: We thank our Lord that we are so mysteriously and wondrously made...He made us to Heal...I recently read this thought:
"Take away my capacity for pain, and you rob me of the possibility for joy".
Father, you have MUCH JOY to look forwards to, thanks be to God! - Jackie, New York

Send your greetings to Fr. Benedict

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