Dear friends of Fr. Benedict,

From Trinity Retreat

Sunday, July 4, 2004

One of the hardest of all virtues to acquire is humility. Once you realize you have it, it’s lost. God gave me a little lesson in humility just this week. I never watch my programs on television, in fact I saw one twelve years ago at a rectory, where I was visiting and they had it on. I couldn’t believe that I was such a peculiar looking fellow. That was good for my humility, but I’ve never gone back. This time we had our new program “Catastrophe and Faith” and I thought I better watch and see how my delivery was since I haven’t done a program in six months. When we went downstairs into the basement of our retreat house to watch EWTN on our local station it had been replaced by a town council meeting of a little village here is Westchester. Well I thought, I’ll try again. The next day when it was on I found out that EWTN is not on our television station at that time, so God has sent me a message. “Don’t pay any attention to what you look like or sound like, just give the messages, they’re Mine, not yours.” It did make me feel stupid and maybe just for a minute a little bit humble. But don’t worry, I’ve got a long way to go before I really get humble.

Let us continue to pray for each other!

Father Benedict
_______________________________________________________________________________________________

Father, I am entering a Franciscan order in the Mariavite branch of the church. I have always known I wanted to be a franciscan, now at age 42 I am re-starting my journey. I am Catholic to the core and trust Our Lord and His Blessed Mother have led me to this order. I will keep you in my prayers as you have always been an inspiration to me. God bless and thanks for all the knowledge you have imparted on me. Regards, - Michael, San Diego, California

I'd just like to make a suggestion about updating the site because I have just come up with an idea. I was thinking that every month you could record your speaches and then put them on the website as "video" I mean, and then every month people could either download them or watch them straight off the website through the Apple Quicktime media player like you've been doing for your monthly greetings! (Just a thought though) PAX CHRISTI - Paul Francis Bennett, Sydney, AUSTRALIA

Hello again to our Grassroots friends: just a reminder to the Web Family: People have asked HOW they can help, or request info on your works of charity...The homepage of this site has ALL the info you requested. Just "click" and view all of the areas of interest. Donations will bring you into the Friars Sack, with the New York address for donations. There is a world of interest on the Home Page for everyone...they need only to take a minute to click on to the areas listed on the menu, to find all the answers! - Jackie, New York

Dear Father, greetings from Singapore. Although I am so far away, I've seen you on EWTN through the Internet. I've heard your series of talks on the crisis in the Church distributed through Crisis Magazine. I've appreciated your wisdom, clarity and humour. I would say, however, that very few of your publications are on sale here in Singapore. Thank God for the Internet, then! If you were to ask me, I would say that it seems fairly clear that something good has been started through these daily messages. It benefits people who are far away and who are busy and looking for a quick source of inspiration. In times like this, don't we need something to keep us from despair and lift us in faith and hope? The suggestions mentioned in the video sound good. After some time, they may be compiled and sold in book or booklet form for reflection. - Anthony, Serangoon Central, , Singapore

Dear Fr. Benedict, I cannot tell you how grateful I am that you are with us and that you so kindly and faithfully make the effort to send us messages of hope, inspiration, and wisdom despite the fact that you are undergoing a rigorous regimen of physical therapy and suffer a great deal of pain and fatigue. You and your many missions mean so much to so many. My life was literally saved because I "happened" upon one of your programs late one night several years ago,and the things you said got through to me. I was nearly taken down by depression and despair, but as I listened to your words I began to hope,then believe that their was great meaning and purpose to this life. I began to watch EWTN and your programs, as well those of others such as the inspirational Fr.Corapi regularly. I continue to grow in faith and your words, Scripture and the invaluable lessons I learn from EWTN sustain me. Each day with a joyful and grateful heart, I look forward to beginning the day by reading and contemplating your message. You bring so many of us, some who would never have made it without your crucial help, closer to God. Thank God for your uniquely illuminating words that seem to reach a broad range of people from laborer to intellectual. A gift by the grace of God. Please "hang in there". We, the family of the faithful, will continue to pray for you and for the success of your upcoming surgery. Please listen to the wisdom of your body made by God and rest as much as is needed. We are repaired and restored in repose. With love and prayers in Christ, - Elizabeth, Atherton, California

Dear Father, I wanted to share the dream I had last night--perhaps it will give you a chuckle, as it did me. I was at a conference in a big hotel with polished tile floors. I assume it was a religous conference, because you were there. I'm not sure why I was unwilling to go to the next session, but I was literally dragging my feet...which, by the way, just wore socks--no shoes! You, Father Benedict, were dragging me across the floor toward the conference room--and because of my socks I was sliding along beside you. Not a word was spoken, but as we reached the door I realized, wait a minute, his arm and shoulder are hurt--how can he drag me like this? Then I woke up--and had to smile, as I guess my subconscious was telling me that bodily mishaps will not be able to stop you from leading people to God (or dragging them, as the case may be!!). Our prayers will be with you for successful surgery. Peace, - Jean, Williamsburg, Michigan

Dear Fr. Benedict, How greatfull I am that the notice of your special presentation on EWTN was included with the messages. I, before, accessing this message have seen the program. Thank God, you look good, and I enjoyed your message. The program gave me an idea for this website. How about references to scripture about specific topics that visitors to the site may follow up themselves. Enjoyed seeing you, I as many others will continue to pray for a complete recovery and treatment for your arm and shoulder. Thank you again you certainly are a gift. God bless you and the friars. - Edward, Warwick, Rhode Islan

Send your greetings to Fr. Benedict