Dear friends of Fr. Benedict,

From the Hospital

Message for Monday, May 10, 2004

Since I have been in the hospital, at least as long as I can remember, I’ve been able to have Mass in my room offered by one of the friars, or a visiting priest who is a friend. What a beautiful experience it is to have the Mass every single day. I don’t appreciate it enough. Sometimes you’re sleepy, a bit distracted, or you don’t quite feel up to the whole experience of the Mass, but Christ comes anyway and you are drawn in to His sacrifice. Most people in the hospital would never have the chance to have a daily Mass. How grateful I am that Christ comes in His most remarkable and miraculous way to my room everyday. Not only do I participate in His sacrifice but I also receive the strength of His sacred banquet. “I am the living bread come down from heaven,” Christ says. Indeed, when you’re there in the hospital and illness and death are around you, that means a great deal. “I am the living bread.”

Let us continue to pray for each other!

Father Benedict

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Dear Fr. Benedict, Joe Campo & The Grassroots/St Francis House crew,
I just had breakfast with Joe and the guys this morning and am amazed at the tremendous change with all the guys at the St Francis House who run the Grassroots Renewal Project, Praise God! What a marvelous job you have all done! As a previous resident of the St Francis House in Brooklyn (Fr Benedict’s "favorite" project) I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Lord and our Blessed Mother for your continued progress and strength. You’ve always taught us to press on and still you lead by example first. Mostly all of my precious memories stem from the years I spent living in Brooklyn (especially when you surprised me on my birthday with a cake and a special blessing) and of course none of those memories would be possible if it weren’t for you. The man I am today is a direct effect of your choice to follow Jesus, and if I could take your place in the hospital, I would, although I doubt I could ever suffer as gracefully as you father. Thank you. Love and Prayers always,
-Patrick, Middle Village, New York

Dear Father, Please get well and get back to work...we miss
you at our house on EWTN. I was moved to tears by the video
on the renewal web site. Thank you and your are in my prayers. Love, the Freeman's-Bill, Sue, Billy jr, Jeremy & Justin, Middle Island, New York

Dear Father Benedict,
WHY do we pray to Our Blessed Mother in time of need? One reason is because she is the IMMACULATE CONCEPTION....and we are her ADOPTED children. Therefore no matter what sins we have committed or our loved ones...no matter how much we are tempted to dispare, we can take confort in knowing that as her ADOPTED children we share is her TOTAL obedience and PERFECT love of God and the NEVER ENDING LOVE of a mother for her children. Secondly if Our Blessed Mother NEVER abandoned her son Our Lord in His crucifixion, she too will NEVER abandon us or our loved ones! What more could we her children ask for? This is why we turn to Our Blessed Mother in times of need, trouble, discouragement, helplessness , adandonment, sinfullness, and dispare. I love you my dear friend, Fr. Benedict and when old scratch brings his discouragment...smack him in the face with your heritage of being the son of the Immaculate Conception. Happy Mother's Day Mary and please ask God to bless Fr. Benedict and my Franciscan family always.-Mary, Owensboro, Kentucky

Dear Father Groeschel: Thank you and your Franciscian family for the for the video and message that you have posted on the internet. I am disabled and unable to attend church regularly. Your wisdom
and spiritual guidance has fostered myprayer life i begin my day in prayer before your message and i end my day the same way. Thank you too for turning your misfortune into a map to HEAVEN for all of us who were so badly in need of direction as we make our faltering steps on our journey to eternity. ALL BEST WISHES!-Caroline, Monroe, Conn.

Dear Father Benedict,
Still praying Divine Mercy for you. I have faith Jesus will heal you as good as new. This new video is awsome, The Holy Spirit surely blessed this one. It makes me sob tears of thanksgiving and joy everytime I watch it.-Adam F, Beaumont , Texas

Dear Father B,
I woke up after having 8 hrs. of open heart surgery only to find out I had a MRSI. This is a staph infection that resists all antibiotics. I remained in the hospital for 4 weeks, receiving IV treatments. They left my wound open and to this day, I still have a disease called osteomylitis as a result. I had plenty of time to clear everything in my life out, attempt to detach from self, and ask the Lord to take over with His Will, not mine. We thank Him. There is always someone with a much worse situation than ours. We offer our pains and sorrow for that person. Praise The Lord and we thank Him for His Passion. Amen.-Steve,Newburgh, New York

Dear Fr. Benedict,
I'm so happy that you are doing so well. I've been saving all of your daily messages to us, you're words are so full of wisdom and so helpful to me and others. I wanted to save them for future reference when someone I know needs help to get through difficult times. I know your messages will help. You've helped me so much since my husband passed away in Feb. Thank you and God Bless You.-Bonnie, Arnold, Miss.

I just have to say that I absolutely love the new video of Father Groeschel! It's such a pleasure to see him in his younger years! Please give us more, show us some pictures of him as a boy. I remember a story he told from his childhood, when he looked into an old woman's window, and she was looking straight back at him! I forget why he said he looked in the window, but the woman scared him so badly he ran all the home. And I believe he said it was at that time that he decided to be a priest - at 7 years old. I think I have the story half correct. Please let father know that we are all praying for him everyday. And please keep up the good work with the videos of him! God bless you all.-Deborah, Philadelphia, Penn.

Dear Fr. Benedict,
We, at the Office of Vocations of the Diocese of Camden, are praying for you. We ask for your blessings upon us, all our seminarians and religious in formation.
Office of Vocations,-Diocese of Camden, New Jersey

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 Fr. Groeschel, We praise God for your progress thus far and continue to pray for your continued healing. We printed out a picture of you, Fr. Apostoli, Fr. Bernard & other Friars and have it on our refrigerator to remember to pray for you. Tonight I will offer my Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament for you Father. Thank you to all who bring your messages to us and produce the beautiful video clips.-Cindy & Family, Westfield, New Jersey

Send your greetings to Fr. Benedict

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