Today is Monday, February 2. Here is the latest update on Fr. Benedict.

I am sorry I was not able to personally write to you last night. Once a month the friars take what is called solitude or hermitage time. While many people see the friars scurrying here and there like little gray mice, few people know that silence and solitude are an important part of a friar's life. The friars enjoy two one-hour periods of silent prayer each day; the first by ourselves, in the quiet of the early morning before much of the world is up and running, and the second in the evening before dinner in common before the Blessed Sacrament. One day a week is designated as a day of greater recollection, while one week a year the friar enjoys rest and recollection in a hermitage or some other suitable location like a monastery.

I called Florida as soon as I returned in order to get the latest update on Fr. Benedict. I know that so many of you, like ourselves, are concerned and are praying. Joe Campo told me that we are averaging 8 to 10 thousand visits to the Website every day! How grateful we are that so many of you are still fervently praying even when Father has slowly inched away from death's door. Until Father is wheeled downstairs to a step-down unit, his condition remains "critical but stable". Father has the operation on his shoulder pending. This will be done either tomorrow or sometime this week. I suspect the doctors want to be sure he can take the stress and strain of another procedure - even if in itself it is not dangerous. Remember, we are talking about a 70-year-old man who has undergone tremendous trauma. Yet, all in all, the friars are getting a positive read from the nurses who dutifully attend to Father throughout the day.

Fr. Luke reports another small but significant step - Father was taken out of bed and put into a special chair. I'm not sure how long he stayed in the chair, but after some time he was put back into bed. He is very fragile and pain medication was necessary. When I was sitting comfortably in front of the woodburning stove last night, my mind went to Father's discomfort, indeed pain. How I wish I could take his place.

Br. Shawn reports that there's some rejoicing in the ICU and apparently Blessed Mother Teresa may be to blame! Evidently, last week Br. Peter prayed with a relic of Mother Teresa over a young man who was brought into the trauma unit. His parents were distraught since their son was in a deep coma after a serious car accident. The doctors didn't give the parents much hope thinking that perhaps the stem of the brain might have been severed. Well, guess who just opened his eyes and guess who is rejoicing? Be it by natural or supernatural means, the word "miracle" was used; and not only by his mom and dad, but by his attending nurse! May God be praised!

So, while the drama of our friend and father quietly continues, other wonderful things continue to take place - in your heart and mine. One of our postulants told me this evening that his sister took in a homeless woman and her child in honor of Fr. Benedict. You don't know how pleasing this is to God; how powerful a prayer this is before the throne of God. I believe it was Archbishop Fulton Sheen who once said, "there's nothing sadder than wasted pain." Well, there's no pain being wasted here, believe me.

Until tomorrow night, let us continue to pray. As we get our throats blessed tomorrow, let us remember Fr. Benedict so we will soon once again hear his familiar voice calling us to the love of God and neighbor. God bless you.

Fr. Glenn Sudano, C.F.R.
Community Servant (superior)
Franciscan Friars of the Renewal

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Dear Fr. Benedict, The morning I heard of your accident I was so saddened. I couldn't stop my eyes from tearing up. I have been checking in every day, thanks to Fr. Glenn and David Miller, and when I hear of you getting better, caring about others, wanting to know their names and where they are from, my eyes are still filling with tears. Tears and a heart full of happiness. I continue to pray through Padre Pio for your full recovery. God Bless you Fr. Benedict. - Darlene, Chicago, Illinois

Dear Fr. Groeschel, Oy! If it weren't for Colombus, this would never have happened! My family has been saying the Mercy Chaplet as well as asking Fr. Casey and Cardinal Cook for their intercession. You may have some testimony of your own to give towards their beatification's. I hope to see your account on your next EWTN series. I wish you all the best, father. You have been a source of grace for me over the years. It hasn't always been an easy, comfortable grace. You often hit on my weaknesses and I find myself a bit irritated that you know so much about me. I think that you and Cardinal Newman compare notes on me; he seems to have me figured out as well. May Jesus, Mary and Joseph be with you. - Michael , New Hartford, New York

Father Groeschel, although raised a Protestant, I watch and look forward to your show every week. You are a true source of wisdom and inspiration for me and I pray fervently for your recovery. May the Lord Jesus bless and heal you so that you may continue to be a blessing to myself and others. - Charles, Overland Park, Kansas

I thank God that we see His response to our prayers for you. Even in your current situation, you are gathering people to the Lord in love and faith. God Bless You, Fr. Benedict. - Tom, Friendswood, Texas

Dear Fr. Benedict, I have looked at you on franciscanfriars.com. I pray for you every night. God will make you better every day I hope. - Peter (age 6) , West Hartford, Connecticut

Dear Father Benedict: Greetings from all of us here in the Diocese of Bridgeport. We remember you regularly at out daily Mass at the Catholic Center. We look forward to seeing you back at Trinity House. (We are praying for your cats, too :) - Fr. Frank

Dr Fr Benedict, Our prayer group based on your oratory of divine love is praying for you. - Sharon, Kelseyville, California

Dear Father Groeschel, I don't think that I could possibly wish you any more blessings than have already been bestowed on you. Obviously, our merciful Lord is not done with you yet. I do have a bit of humor I would like to share though. (No disrespect intended.) My very catholic girlfriend and I often comment, "I love that guy." "If he was young and handsome, and I was young and beautiful, and if I wasn't already married to a wonderful man, and if priests could marry, then I wish I could marry Fr. Groeschel." We get quite a laugh out of that one, but our very catholic friends of course are appalled. Thank you for allowing our Lord's words and actions to be echoed in your life, and thank you for having the great courage to share it with us. My life has been greatly blessed by your wonderful teachings especially, "A Reason to Believe." Mother Theresa will just have to wait a bit longer to have her buddy with her. Your sister in Christ - Lisa, Boise, Idaho

Send your greetings to Fr. Benedict

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