Dear friends of Fr. Benedict,

From Trinity Retreat

Monday August 23, 2004

Today is a special day in my life. It was thirty-one years ago, on this feast of Our Lady that Cardinal Cooke asked me to open a retreat house for priests. I was completely astonished. We were driving together to the Missionaries of Charity to celebrate their patronal feast. Because I had made up my mind to try to follow God’s will in my life, I had to say that I would ask the Cappuchins for permission to do this work.
It had always been my hope to spend my life with the poor, living and working with them. This assignment, which would bring me to Larchmont, was as far from that goal as possible. I said to myself, it would be only for a few years. Here I am in Larchmont thirty years later, and a bit wiser. If you tell God that you will try to follow His will it doesn’t mean that you will get what you want. Thank God I’ve always been able to work with the poor part-time, but never full-time.
There is an old saying: “If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.” As a result of that conversation over thirty years ago, most of my life has been working for priests. I never became a pastor in the inner city, but now as I can see the end of life approaching I can say that I did not do my own will. When I come up to the Last Judgment and they don’t seem to be so pleased I can say, “I tried.” If you look back on your life and you think you have accepted God’s will, be glad and rejoice. If you feel that you have not done God’s will then start doing it today. Your life will have much more meaning and you will not be frightened in the hour of death.

Father Benedict

Note: A group of friars are going to start collaborating on writing these daily messages as of tomorrow. Although just out of the hospital I am suddenly very busy with retreats, books, and a new series for EWTN in the fall. I will write the column once a week. I am sure that you will enjoy the columns written by the other friars. Every Sunday I will be writing the column.

Let us continue to pray for each other!

Father Benedict
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Dear Father Benedict I wish to thank you for your teaching and you are one of my favourite. I' m going to continue praying for you , take care of yourself, and may your situation be manifested in all things that are one with the presence of The Holy Spirit.
God bless you and bless all the staff of EWTN. - Marie, MALTA

Fr. Benedict, just a brief message to let you know how much you are loved and prayed for. Ever since your accident, I have been thinking about you, and asking God to help you get better soon. I recently joined an online rosary group. Every morning, we pray for your quick recovery. These are people all over the country, from Massachusetts to North Dakota, to Canada, and everywhere else. One of our intentions is for your quick recovery. You are so much loved.Get well soon, and make more great programs on EWTN. You are reaching people all over the world. Your friend in Jesus Christ, - Sue, Massachusetts

you have meant so much to me, a lapsed Catholic who had been away from the church until 3 years ago when Our Father in Heaven called me back.....my love and prayers are with you...God Bless and Return you to us, you are not yet finished here....prayers and petitions...please lord Bless and Heal our wonderful Father. - Maria, Santa Monica, California

Dear Fr. Benedict, I heard you speak in Liberty, Kansas last year! I want you to know that I had never heard The Angelus prayed before you prayed it that day!! I came back to the church about 3 years ago. Now I pray The Angelus everyday! Thank you for saying that beautiful prayer! Rest in God's peace! - Kathy, Lenexa, Kansas

Dear Fr. Benedict, In reading tonight's message, as I have done every day since your accident, you don't know the joy in my heart to read a message direct from your lips. Yes "Praise God" This has no doubt been a testament to the power of prayer. I have prayed for you every day since your accident and will continue to do so. I want you to know that you have helped me get control of my life long problem of a particular sin that kept me from the sacraments. Knowing that if my prayers for you were going to be answered and effective I had to stay in sanctifying grace. So with daily Mass and frequent confession I'm now living in Joy. I know this all due to the power of God, but I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for being the catalyst for this to happen in my life. I wish and pray that recovery speeds along...Praise God. - Rhode Island

Send your greetings to Fr. Benedict

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