Dear friends of Fr. Benedict,

From Trinity Retreat

Monday August 2, 2004

I am sorry that I missed a couple of messages, and a number of correspondents let me know. Believe it or not I am very busy, although I have not fully recuperated. I wish that you all could have attended yesterday, August 1st as eight of our young brothers took final vows, which means that they have been with us for five years. Parents and relatives came from as far away as England, Germany and New Zealand. The remarkable thing about this group is their complete faith and dedication to Our Lord Jesus Christ. I would have to say that they are a splendid class of seminarians and lay brothers. What is all the more remarkable is that most of them had poor religious education growing up. Some grew up in difficult circumstances, yet the grace of God operated in them all. I warned them that our country appeared to be sinking into paganism, and that they might see persecution. Fr. Andrew and I reminded ourselves as always that this little community is a work of God and not our work .Tomorrow, I will tell you about the investiture of our sisters which takes place today. I only wish that this opportunity for a life of total dedication, would be offered as a witness to thousands of young people in our country.

Let us continue to pray for each other!

Father Benedict
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Dear Fr. Ben: How good it was to hear and see Fr. Glenn..he became such a friend to so many of us in those early shaky days when you're life was in the balance I'm sure..and I for one and so happy that Our Father ..agreed with us to let you stay for a little while longer..It was just too heartbreaking to let you go and our Father in heaven, I'm sure took into consideration how all of your brothers and sisters felt. Fr. Sudano ..oh my my...it is so obvious and crystal clear the great love of the brothers for Fr. Ben that just shines through you ...there is nothing new under the sun..my first thought was that the sign that Christians were known in the early Church was "See how they love one another"...well..that is so obvious within your brotherhood ..everything old is new again...If my heart could adequately express its sentiments, but alas i find no words to convey such..We just want to see you and hear you and listen to you..what a gift to the world and the church and to so many many you and your brothers are ...i just don't know what else to say..but thank God for you...over and over and over again. - Beth, New Waterford, Canada

Dear Fr. Benedict: I miss your sweet face and your beard on EWTN TV. I always seem to wake up between 2:00 and 4:00 AM, and if I am lucky, I can turn on the TV and there you are with your wonderful words of courage and inspiration. For some reason, you are reaching my heart these days as no one else has. I am a widow, 75 years old, and still trying to save my should and be ready to meet Jesus when I pass over, but I am falling short in so many ways. You give me hope. You've suffered, but you have Jesus beside you, all around you and within you. May God bless you and restore you to full health. - Mary Ellen, Corinth, Texas

Father Ben! I thought of you (as I always do anyway...) today when I read in the newspaper that a group of people protesting abortion in the state of Mo. were arrested for carrying pictures of aborted babies near a busy highway. Apparently, the charges were interfering with traffic control at that intersection....WHAT COULD BE MORE IMPORTANT??...Traffic control, or murder of babies??...It is in the reading of such material as this, that we must beg for God's forgiveness in this paganistic society in which we live. When people ask what can they do for their faith...to defend life is the most noble, christian act, one may offer. Thank you Father, as you have set an example by your defending of Life, and , also found yourself jailed for that heroic act. " We all have the opportunity to become saints". - Jackie, New York

Praise God for your recovery-I have listen to you for many years on EWTN- even taped many of your Programs from the 1990's - am now viewing them again-they are priceless to me-May God Bless And keep you alive for many more years. - Rosalie, Plaquemine , Los Angeles

Dear Fr Benedict, Among your many emails, I thought I would include another from us, just to let you know that we think of you and pray for you often. You hold an extraordinary place in our hearts. Our gratitude for your inspiration, fraternal love and help over the years is true and deep. With fraternal love and prayers, One little Community that you inspired into existence, and still struggles on in faith, - Fr Christopher, and the Friars of St Francis, AUSTRALIA

Dear Fr.Benedict, Thank you for your recent message on morality & the state of our country & the whole world. You still have the gift of preaching the truth that we all need to hear & are not hearing elsewhere. Thank you. - Kathleen, Mass.

Dear Fr Ben, I've been following the site since Jan 11th, each day I've seen the Holy Spirit work through some way or another to someone or another.It is amazing how something so horrible for you has become so wonderful and grace filled for all ofus.As we see the miracles of the grace of God work through His Spirit to us all. I praise the work of all the Friars but I especially praise your work as it has touched so many souls for many years without you knowing. You laugh about your tapes and books but they have enabled many a soul to reach out to God once more and no longer be afraid and to trust once more. That is truly a grace that God has granted you. Francis would be proud and you should be humbled. I must say you are probably the one person over 20 yrs that has enabled my journey to the Lord to be solid and not fraught w/so much garbage. God Bless your Celtic soul. From one Celtic soul to another. - Cathy, Baldwinsville, New York

Send your greetings to Fr. Benedict