Dear friends of Fr. Benedict,

From the Hospital

Message for Tuesday, May 11, 2004

As I read through a selection of the mail and e-mails that we receive in response to these daily thoughts from the hospital, I’m amazed at the number of people who speak about the fact that my problem has been the cause of their conversion. I don’t really understand this. If I was shot by the Communists or beaten up by the Klu Klux Klan, I could understand it, but I was hit by a car after buying Mexican food for the two people who were traveling with me.
Somehow or other my pain and suffering has been an opportunity for a lot of people to think life over a little more seriously. I’m very grateful for that and every time the incapacities of being in the hospital and gradually returning to strength bother me, I remember the number of people who have written that this has been a cause for grace in their life. I don’t have any idea how it has been, but that’s God’s business. God will use anything to cause grace, and if he uses my illness to cause grace in the life of others, it’s certainly worth it. I’m glad to hear from you even though I can’t answer your letters.

Let us continue to pray for each other!

Father Benedict

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Dear Father Groeschel and Franciscan Brothers,
My sister has just found out that she has uteran cancer. She has 4 sons, two are eleven years old (twins) and two older. Will you be so kind as to pray for her healing? I have given her the hope-filled book 'Arise from Darkness'. I am hopeful that she will read it. Love,-Becky, Beaverton, Oregon

Dear Fr. Benedict, Hi its Peter. I'm sorry that you're in the hospital. I think the guy that hit you feels really bad that he hit you. age 4 Love Peter, Little Compton, Rhode Island

Dear Father Benedict, It is so wonderful to hear your voice again in the videos. The boys have done such a beautiful job with it. Thank you father for all of the lives you have changed for the better by your YES to Jesus. Through your love, your wisdom, your suffering- your very self we have all learned how from you. May Jesus continue to bless you as you recover. Know how loved you are by the sheep of the flock. May Mary our Mother keep you wrapped in her mantle. Take care Father Love-Mary, Marietta, Georgia

HI FR Ben, It's me the Irish woman from upstate NY. I have to say it amazes me how God has worked through all of this tragedy. You have been an instrument of His again to Heal the sick and broken hearted.and you have touched them in ways you will never know. But it was only because you became one of them and fully understood what they went thru. You have allowed God's grace and Trust to work through you as no other could and by teaching us that it can be done w/ such faith and hope it has enableed many to believe agian . Thank you for the opprotunity to learn and grow w/ you and believe again . From one Celtic soul to another-Cathy, Baldwinsville, New York

Dear Fr. Benedict, I Hope you feel better. age 5 love.-John, Little Compton Rhode Island

Dear Father Benedict and "Crew", Thank you for posting these stories today. The song from "Fiddler on the Roof" comes to mind: "Sunrise, Sunset, Sun rise Sun set, swiftly pass the days. One season following the other, laden with happiness and pain". Would that we all would talk to our Father in Heaven the way that Teva did. Jesus taught us how and the heavenly Gifts of His Person are reflected in each of us, His children, at prayer, at work in a bed of pain or at play, and in our Rest in Him. Thank you, and Thank you for the personal gift of love that you and all who are deeply committed to our Lord give to Him, personally, and to us, His Church. God bless you. Let us continue to pray for each other.-Mariellen, Mclean, Virginia

Fr. Groeschel,
I loved your writing last week about the old Catholic habit of offering one's suffering for the conversion of others. I remember my mother's saying that to us for the souls in Purgatory. It is truly a gift and blessing from God to do that act of charity for one another. Going through tough times of failing health or financial distress, the one constant for my wife and my family has been the unconditional love that our Savior has for us and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Thank you, Father for writing every day - I print your writings and bring them to my wife. We are praying for your complete recovery. God Bless You!-Patrick, Manhasset, New York

Dear Father Benedict,
I wrote you once before, much earlier in your recuperation, extolling the beauty of the gift of suffering which Our Lord has given you, and how He must favor you to allow you to assist Him in the salvation of so many souls. The sentiment may have seemed a bit too much, too soon...but time has only reinforced it. I recall you once saying that you hoped that you would one day get "a nice, slow cancer" so that you could chronicle your experience for others. See how kind God is to have given you that opportunity without the cancer! Many souls are being helped by your generous response. Thank you. Be assured of the continued love and prayers of this little sheep of the flock.-Shirley, Birdsboro, Penn.

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 Fr. Benedict, Caroline had it right on the money, you are giving us a map to Heaven. I love you dearly and I am so grateful for the huge influence you have been and are now in my life. I had the privelege of attending Retreats at Trinity, thanks to your vision and love, and I am so very grateful. Please Please remember to send your Guardian Angel to St. Padre Pio, every day, and more as you need to. I am sure that St. Padre Pio is eagerly waiting for you to talk to him and become even closer friends. I am sure he loves you greatly. And so do I.
Love in Our Lady,-Joan,
Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina

Dear Father Groeschel:
You have been in our thoughts and prayers throughout your recovery. Your daily messages have been a been a source of inspiration to us, especially my wife, who has been dealing with a severe chronic pain condition for several years now. I was surprised to see that someone mentioned you once were assigned to Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Ardsley, NY. That was my mother's parish as a child, and I also went there when I was very small. When were you there? God Bless you and keep you. -Chris and Diane, Pawcatuck, Conn.

Dear Father Benedict, Our weekly rosary and Fatima prayer group keeps your continued healing in our prayers. As part of our Fatima group we have used your weekly writings on the website. Bein part of a prayer network for my parish I know how much prayers mean to those who are in need of love and support during times of need. You have been there for us for so many years with your, writings,videos, and talks on EWTN. We hope Father that you are feelings how much we want to be there for you. May God bless and give you continued work for many more years. Love, Geri and the Marian Prayer Group.-Geri, Marion, Iowa

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