Today is Tuesday, February 3. Here is the latest update on Fr. Benedict.

"No pain, no gain". This well-known maxim might very well be the title of this week's chapter in Father Benedict's "book" which I would call, "A Drama of Hope". Br. Shawn and Fr. Luke tell me that Father did not look well today; "out of it" was one of the descriptive phrases they used. It appears the doctors want to exercise Father's lungs. They want him to breathe on his own without the use of the respirator. We now know how tricky this step is. The last time he attempted this, his blood pressure tumbled and his heart stopped! Yet, slowly, slowly, they are weaning him away from it, even sitting him in a "Lazy-Boy" style chair. Just moving from bed to chair takes a lot out of him and morphine is being used to control the pain. Did you complain today about some minor emotional ache or pain? I did - and I thought of Father B and stopped my whining right away.

Father Luke blessed Father's throat today asking the intercession of yet another saint for healing. Yes, the doctors know that getting out of the bed and off the respirator is exhausting and indeed painful; but gain is what they want to see. While we all want to see this, it's difficult to watch someone we love suffer. Father Luke reminded Father that many, many people were praying for him - he was too tired to smile.

I can only imagine how difficult it is for Father to be on the receiving end of people's kindness. He who is known by many to be so helpful now lies helpless. Yet, Father Luke reminded him that in his infirmity many graces are being given. Can you sense them? I can! Perhaps in the mysterious plan of God more people are being helped by Father's silent suffering than by his wonderful sermons. Although he would quickly wisk away any reference to him being a "victim soul", even he has told us that any time we suffer "through Him, with Him, and in Him" - great things happen because it is the very passion of Christ which gives all suffering new meaning and power. In itself, every infirmity is an evil, but with Christ it becomes grace! It's so simple to understand, easy to say, hard to accept...

David Miller, our teenage web master who gets this message to you late every night came home from school with a bad flu. As I type this, he is in bed. Yet, he will drag himself to the computer, and not complain because he is doing this for Father B. So you see, graces are given, and in this regard his pain becomes our gain.

When not by Father's bedside, the friars minister the love of God to all - in the hospital and in the parish in which they are living. The priest friars celebrate the morning Mass and afterward hear confessions while the brothers visit the schools and the sick. Tonight, in fact, all three friars are speaking at a parish young adult group. This Thursday there will be another "changing of the guard" - two friars leave and two friars arrive.

Well, it's time for me to leave. Thank you for your prayers. I'll be going to Brooklyn tomorrow to the Grassroots Renewal office. The young men have yet another video in production which they hope that you will find an inspiration and a consolation. I hope that you enjoy these wonderful e-mails as much as Father does. God bless you.

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

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Comments/Questions: Dear Fr. Benedict, I join all the members of Holy Child Parish on Staten Island, in offering our prayers, and sacrifices and struggles for your total and complete recovery. We have Perpetual Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and over 400 people a week are assigned an hour and many more just pop in. Be assured that you are remembered there. There's a relic of Padre Pio there as well. May our Lord, Our Lady, St. Francis, St. Benedict Joseph Labre, Servant of God Terrence Cardinal Cooke, Servant of God Solanus Casey, Blessed Teresa of Calcutta and all the Seraphic Saints interceed for your total recovery. With Love and Peace, - Fr. Tom, Staten Island, New York

Dear Fr., Our community here in Malaysia pray very much for your recovery. May the healing hand of our Divine Saviour and Lord touch and heal you from all pain. Our continued prayers for your speedy recovery. - Denise, Malaysia

Dear Father Benedict, We just listened to your video again for the 'umteemth' time. What a powerful voice for the Lord! My husband and I pray for you every day for a complete and full recovery. We have talked with you in person, heard some of your conferences, read a few of your books and listened to you on EWTN. We absolutely love your witty sense of humor, your articulate and down-to-earth communication about the gifts of faith, hope and love that the Lord gives if we but ask. We know you have a long road ahead but we see how far you've come, with the healing power of His Love through so many prayerful hearts and sacrifices. Thousands near and far are in your corner asking the Lord to continue to give you kindness and the best care around through the friars, doctors, nurses, physical therapists and others. God bless you, Father Benedict and may He give you the fortitude, patience and hope that you will need in the days, weeks and perhaps months ahead. We will all be there every step of the way, in prayer and spirit, just as you have been there for us. Mauro and Agnes - Agnes, Elkridge, Maryland

Dear Father - I am one of the many whom you have touched through the Holy Spirit. I will continue to pray for you and cant wait to see you back doing Gods Will. We love and may the Immaculate Heart of Mary Pray for you and keep you safe. - Paul, Clinton Township, Missiori

I am still praying for you Fr Benedict GOD BLESS - Joanne, Australia

Comments/Questions: Hello Father, Peace of Jesus be with you. I'm April and I used to go to your retreats in California when I was a Kid. Now I'm in Switerland with the Beatitudes. We are praying for you. You won't believe who I ran into here in Switerlan Charlie Maye. He's praying for you too. I'm going to ask the religious communities here to pray for you too. We love you Father. Be Strong. - April, Switzerland

Good evening, father. This website has brought us such peace as we await in prayer for your protection, healing, and next great adventure. We love you, and are praying with Cardinal Cook and Padre Pio for your complete recovery. God's blessings, - Patricia, Plano, Texas

Dear Fr. Benedict - Your humility, courage and great love for the Lord enourage my jouney as a Catholic. You are like a bright light shining out of the darkness which is so refreshing in our current society! A mere "Thank you" cannot begin to convey how you have touched my life nor thousands of others. I continue to remember you daily in my thoughts/prayers, especially at daily Mass. My 85 yr old mother who is a shut-in is also is praying for you! We love & miss you! Get well soon! - Christine, Mesa,, Arizona

Dear Fr. Benedict, I began listening to you on EWTN "by accident" about 2 years ago, and you touched me so profoundly that I can say that you are greatly responsible for me returning to the faith. I am not the only one -- I personally know of several other people that have said the same thing. Your message always hits home in its straight forward honesty, yet it is always tempered with your wonderful sense of humor and your deep love of our Lord. The news of your accident struck my heart and I immediately thought selfishly -- I could only think I am not ready to say goodbye -- I need to hear many more of your messages. Then I thought of how you would react to my reaction and I felt ashamed of myself. Of course, if it's God's will that you go home with him we'll have to be happy for you -- after all, that's the ultimate goal for all of us. But, I am praying that God doesn't need you yet -- I pray that you get well and don't have to suffer too much pain. I look forward to the day I can hear you joking about the nurses, and all the funny hospital stories you'll surely have. Maybe you'll even have a story or two about seeing Mother Theresa on "the other side of the light"! Peace be with you Father! - Cherie, Liberty, New York

Fr. Benedict, There are many of the faithful here in the Diocese of Venice praying for you. In 1987 we both were going through some challenging times: you were forming the CFRs and I was entering the Catholic Church after serving as a Lutheran Minister. You were assigned to me as my spiritual director. If it wasn't for your wisdom, discernment, and support, I would not have been able to endure the spiritual testing that I was experiencing. For 10 years I have had the grace to serve as a Catholic priest.You were there for me when I needed you. Know the me and my family are here for you in prayer. - Fr. Michael, Sarasota, Florida

Comments/Questions: Dear Fr Benedict, Your Brothers in Australia are praying for you continually. You are a Father not only to your friars in the USA, but also to this little community in Australia that was inspired by your courageous renewal. Thank you for all the wonderful help, support and encouragement that you have given us, not to mention the guidance and wisdom. We, the small reform community of Friars in Australia love you and give you to our Lord Jesus and His holy Mother, with all our hearts. Fraternal love and prayers, from Fr Christopher, Br Michael, Br Ruben and Br Benedict. - Fr Christopher, Australia

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