Dear friends of Fr. Benedict,

Today is Friday , February 6. Here is the latest update on Fr. Benedict.

Once again, I come to each of you with a grateful heart. I just got off the phone with Florida; Father Benedict is resting in his room after another successful surgery. The third and final hurdle was cleared - first the leg, then the arm, finally the shoulder. The doctors are "very pleased" with Father's progress thus far. He was brought into the operating room around 1:30 in the afternoon - brought back about 4:00. The procedure was longer than we thought; yet everything went smoothly without any hitches. A "pin" was inserted into the shoulder socket and ligaments looped around it. Now the doctors must let nature take its course. Physical therapists will keep things limber - but not without pain. Remember the last time your back went out or you pulled a muscle? Not fun.

Before surgery, Father celebrated Holy Mass with Father Joseph. Two nurses were also in attendance. There were no hymns, no homily, no candles, none of these - just Jesus hidden under wafer and wine and an invisible army of adoring angels. Once again, perhaps even more so than yesterday, Father was attentive and moving his lips as he prayed the entire text of the Mass by heart. He is slightly propped up in bed, and at Communion time receives but a drop of the Precious Blood on his lip.

Brother Sharbel gave Father a haircut and trimmed his moustache today. When Father indicated (without words) that he wanted his moustache just a bit shorter, he was humorously chided for being vain. Brother Thomas asked Father B whether he was just a bit too concerned about his looks considering all the pretty nurses taking care of him! Well, if looks could kill! As Father squinted his eyes in disapproval, the brothers howled! No doubt, the uproar would have caught the attention of the nursing staff who generally only hear Gregorian chant recordings and the murmuring sounds of the rosary coming from his room.

Brother Sharbel told me, "The next miracle everyone has to pray for is his breathing. Tell everyone Father Benedict has to breathe on his own without the respirator". He said it so matter-of-factly; it was like he was placing an order for hamburger. Well, your prayers have moved mountains thus far; why not ask for a miracle in a matter-of-fact way? Okay, Brother Sharbel, one miracle coming up!

This prayer is for kindergarten kids only (or for those who pray with the confidence of a child)

Until tomorrow, if God wills. God bless you.

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

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Dear Fr. Benny we are so happy to hear you are doing so much better. My husband and I and our 7 children have been praying for you since the moment we heard. We will continue to pray and offer holy hours, masses and rosaries for your swift recovery. And we are waiting for your newest book on "Suffering in a hospital setting". Sometimes it seems like nurses and doctors enjoy their jobs a little too much!!! We love you and hope to meet you one day. - Annette, Columbia Heights, Maine

Dear Father, Just a quick note to let you know that we continue to pray for you each day, whether at our prayers before meals or at bedtime. Our four children (8,6,4,2)have taken a personal interest in your recovery. When they hear your voice on the website each day, they come running, yelling out "It's Father Groeschel!" Their genuine concern for you is so touching. Be assured that many Our Father's and Hail Mary's are pouring out from the "mouth of babes". - Ramona, Orlando, Florida

Dear Franciscan Fathers and Brothers, We thank God for bringing Father Benedict. Although never met, my two children ages 9 and 7 continues to pray for Father Benedict at every evening prayer. They just created a "special intention" part following the regular prayer session for special situation - for now, it is intended for Father Benedict. Thanks be to God that, through Father Benedict's suffering, many lives and behaviors are being transformed and converted. God Bless. - Dzung, Brooklyn Park, Maine

Dear Father Benedict - On behalf of the staff and board of the HopeLine we wish you God's continued blessings and our prayers for a speedy recovery. You are a blessing to the people of the South Bronx! Please hurry back! - Marlene, Bronx, New York

dear Fr benidict hello my name is laura and iam 10yrs old and my sister rebecca is 4yrs old and we are praying for you to get well soon. Before we go to bed we always say the hail mary for you.We love you. - Laura, Port Chester, New York

Dear Fr. Benedict, Our prayer group has turned into an Oratory of Divine Love. It was previous directionless, but a member was led to your creation of these oratory prayer groups by the Holy Spirit and now we meet each week with a purpose and such a strong direction. We meet today and will offer our time for your recovery and naturally our continued prayers for your speedy return to the work the Lord has given you such a gift for...a teacher! What a gift your mind is - and your humor - and your directness. God bless you and all those friars!! We'll be seeing some at our 8th YOUTH 2000 in a couple weeks. - Cathy, Owensboro, Kentucky

last week I called father Glenn. After having a few months of transition in my life I was feeling spiritually lost. Father Glenn updated me on Fr. Benedict and directed me to the website. After daily briefings, prayer, and visits to the website my spirit is being revived with Jesus and I am feeling nourished. Thank You - Christine, New York

Dearest Father, Our prayers and thoughts are with you as we prepare to begin lent, know that your recovery will be a priority in our Lenten devotions and sacrifices. - Delores, Jacksonville, Florida

True to the messages Fr, Glenn wrote I am on my daily check up of your condition, seeing the miracle that God has worked for you today. Do not worry about our prayers letting up, actually I think that I was the day before you were taken off the critical condition that I felt the extra grace kick it to make my prayer more fervent for your recovery. There Psalm that say God lets men live to 70 and 80 for those who are wise coems to mind when I pray for you. Now I know what your thinking, but I mean the prayer in a good way. He He He. O.K. Father take care I must go to work, I will pray for you at three will you pray for me, please. - Rodnie, Edgewood, Maryland

Dear father benedict, I will continue praying for you. Please do get well soon...:) - Lekshmi, India

Father Benedict..you are loved by so many. Each morning before I head to the office I kneel and ask for the Lord to bless you and give you strength for the day, one day at a time. - Sean, Kosovo

Greetings from the "Land of Enchantment"! Padre Benedict, we and all of your friends in the Archdiocese of Santa Fe are praying to Our Lord and His Lady Mother for your continued recuperation. May the peace of our patron saint, San Francisco de Asis, be with you always. - Ricardo, Santa Fe, New Mexico

My Father Benedict, I have been listening, again, to your tapes. I was surprised the other day when I heard you say something about being hit by a car!!! A little divine revelation perhaps? I know that you are hurting and I know that you cant wait to be up and about again but the out cry for prayer has been so strong that it seems to have taken a life of its own. I love you dearly. You've given me new strength just watching the video that has been playing on the web site. I offer my morning rosary for you every day and think of you often. I know that Jesus is with you. May He bless you indeed!!!!! - Fred, Douglasville, Georgia

Fr Benedict, I am praying for you and all the friars every day. I had bought a case of the CD's you made with Simonetta(The Rosary is a Place, from the St. Philomena Foundation)to give as Christmas presents, as it turned out, I was away and did not get to pass them all out. So I am now giving them, along with a copy from the front page of the CFR website, to people that might not have heard of your accident and asking the pray for you. You know all your friends are already praying for you and will continue to. I cannot tell you how that CD has helped me to pray the rosary, it moves me every time I listen to it. I look forward to you and Simonetta making a recording with the Luminous Mysteries on it. Please pass my love and regards to all the friars! - Bob, Hilton Head, South Carolina

We are praying for you, dear Fr. Benedict! Because of your teaching, my husband and I were brought into the Church in a private Mass at St. Mary's Cathedral in San Francisco on Tuesday, February 3, at 4:00 pm. We are 71 and 76 and, although we have known the Lord for most of our lives and served him and taught others of him, it is now, by the Grace of God that we have become Catholic! Father, I broke my leg about and a half ago and was in bed for three months. I watched EWTN! I could not get up or talk on the phone or have guests because I had vertigo. I had to look straight ahead and just watch TV while my leg healed. Because of that time, and seeing you and hearing your teaching, and the because of the other great people on that network, my husband and I were exposed to the one true holy catholic and apostolic CHURCH! We thank you for your great part in this. Last Easter we read your books through the season every morning for devotions. We love you. We have followed your recovery and have prayed for you. We know we will spend all eternity with you but we would love for the Lord to bring you back for others who need to know the truth about the Church. You are bring so much Glory to the Lord every day as we read of your healing, You are a much loved man. - Terry, Half Moon Bay, California

Send your greetings to Fr. Benedict

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