Dear friends of Fr. Benedict,

From Trinity Retreat

Thursday July 15, 2004

We have been discussing respect in church and its sad decline among many Catholics today. It has been brought to my attention by a friend that I often cite Jewish people as examples of respect at religious services; they always go to synagogue well-dressed and deport themselves in a very fine way when they are there and while traveling back and forth. I also mentioned that the same thing is observable among poor people, whether Catholic or Protestant; they go to church well-dressed and pay attention to the Mass or to the Protestant service.
My friend reminded me that this is also true of Catholics who attend the traditional, or Tridentine, Mass. I have not been to many Tridentine Masses since the novus ordo went into effect thirty-five years ago, but I can vouch for the fact that everyone was well dressed, silent, recollected, prayerful, and paying close attention to the liturgy. There was no talking in church before or after Mass; it was very edifying.
Catholics who prefer the Tridentine rite are often subject to criticism and even disdain. The Church has given them the right to choose this older liturgy, which provided spiritual nourishment for many of us as we were growing up. It does seem to me that we should recognize their right to attend the traditional Mass, with its beautiful ceremonies and its stately and striking Latin prayers and hymns. At the same time we should applaud them for their reverent attitude at worship and prayer.

Let us continue to pray for each other!

Father Benedict
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I am glad to hear Fr. Benedict Groeschel is better. I will keep praying for him. I can't wait to see you on EWTN again like we have in the past. God Bless. - Margaret, Baltimore, Maryland

To all who made this messages possible, "thanks", we miss you. Let us continue to pray for each other - Yoya, Jalisco, Mexico

Dear Friars: I have a suggestion for the web site. I find the messages very uplifting and a fantastic way to evangelize. In light of that I would suggest having a forwarding key that would allow us to forward a message to other people. This will help us continue to promote the web site and more important send a message that will help folks reflect a moment on our Lord. We receive so many e-mails during the day that either stress you out or fill you with junk messages. it would be wonderful to be able to pass on the gift of Friars web site. It's the marketing in me I guess. I hope all is well with father and the friars. I will keep praying for all of you. Please pray for me. God bless, - Ernie, Miami Springs, Florida

Dearest Father Benedict, This is my first time on your web site and I am thrilled to be able to read your thoughts for the day. You are such an inspiration in our lives today. Being a mother of four children and praying for vocations gives me great joy to hear from a ROCK like yourself. We in Louisiana love you, God Bless and keep you healthy for us all. - Samera, in Los Angeles

Sometimes a picture says a thousand words, and although we had no message...the picture of Father Ben standing at the feet of the Cross of Jesus was a message in itself. A reminder that " we are to bring everything in our hearts and souls to the Cross of Jesus" and, therein, find our Consolation. The picture alone, paints the message, while we await the word. - Jackie, New York...and therein, find our Consolation.

Dear Father Benedict, I have enjoyed watching you on EWTN. I hope you will return to the "tube" regularly very soon! I also enjoy reading your daily messages. I'm sure they are an inspiration to everyone who reads them, no matter what their faith. I hope you will continue to write them. Your book "Quiet Moments" has been a comfort to me and I always take it along when I travel to New York, my old home town. When I visited this past Christmas I chatted with a number of members of your order at St. Patrick's cathedral. I pray that next Christmas you will be there too! You are in my prayers for health and healing, - Jane, Northbrook, Illinois

Dear Fr. Benedict, Peace and Greetings from the South Pacific!! I pray that the Lord will bless you and keep you all the days of your life and will send you His Holy Spirit for a full and speedy recovery. God Bless. - Gregory, Shortland Islands, Solomon Islands

Send your greetings to Fr. Benedict

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