Today is Monday, February 9. Here is the latest update on Fr. Benedict.

Thank you for visiting the Website. The mere fact that you are "checking in" on Father Benedict gives us great joy and a deep sense of gratitude.

Today was somewhat uneventful in the sense that Father spent much of the day dozing. We are so thankful that he is receiving such good care. We have all heard the saying, "good help is so hard to find". Well, great help is right at Father's fingertips thanks to competent and indeed caring professionals who are keeping a close eye on his progress.

Father had his chest X-rayed today; thank God the lungs are clear. The respiratory therapist comes by a few times during the day to listen carefully for congestion. Suction of fluid from the lungs is a necessary daily ritual despite the discomfort it must cause. Not a day goes by without Father mouthing the words, "When can I go home?" Just the thought of this is painful; yet what can we do but say, "patience" or "soon".

The wounds on Father's head are "healing nicely" the doctor tells us. Also, the respirator gauges indicated that Father is breathing more on his own. However, on this stretch of the road, one takes three steps forward then two steps back. Yet, for that one step, we are grateful.

If Father is awake and engaged tomorrow, the friars will employ someone who can assist them with their lip reading skills. I'm curious to see if this will be helpful and perhaps lower Father's level of frustration in not being able to clearly communicate. Yet, although Father cannot speak, he can listen. I myself have been able to speak to him as the friar's put the phone to his ear. In fact, this evening he received a phone call from a cardinal who prayed over the phone and imparted his apostolic blessing. On behalf of your friar friends in New York, "Thank you, Your Eminence".

Today I officially assigned a friar to be a "companion friar" to Father Benedict; his name is Brother Daniel Marie. Brother Daniel will be traveling down to Florida this week with Father Juniper Mary but then will unpack and stay. In fact, Br. Daniel will be at Father's side after he leaves Florida and returns to New York for therapy. He knows it is impossible to guess when, but God has His own calendar and clock.

Brother Daniel applied to join the friars a few years ago; yet, at the suggestion of Father Benedict, he took two years to work and go to school. After driving an eighteen-wheeler back and forth across the country, he decided to get a job where he would be less mobile and more helpful to people. So he decided to go for training then spend the year working - as a nursing assistant! God writes straight with crooked lines. He always has some surprise up His celestial sleeve!

When I asked Brother Daniel if he wouldn't mind packing up and leaving the South Bronx to become a companion friar for Father Benedict, he immediately smiled and said, "Father, I consider it a privilege, thank you for asking me".

Once again, here are a few wonderful e-mails we have received.

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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From the day we heard the news of your accident, the Helpers of God's Precious Infants, the Sisters Adorers of the Precious Blood and myself have included you in our prayers that God would grant you a return to reasonable good health. As you well know to share in the sufferings of Christ is an honor and a source of great grace. Peace comes with accepting the sufferings God sends us. Joy comes when one goes beyond acceptance of the sufferings to embracing the sufferings with love. I pray that you may experience both peace and joy. I will continue to remember you where it counts most, at the Altar of Sacrifice. Please God together we will soon both be praying outside the abortion mills, the modern day Calvaries of our times. - Msgr. Philip, Brooklyn, New York

I greet you in the faith and fellowship of our great God and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, whose we are, whom we love, and whom we serve. I am a Protestant Minister/Pastor (Church of the Nazarene) who loves you, is praying for your complete recovery, and never misses you on EWTN. You are in my prayers daily; you are a true blessing. - Rev. Jerry, Tappan, New York

Dear Fr. Benedict: Pax et Bonum. Together with the throngs of brothers and sisters, we join our love and prayers for you. We have followed very urgently your daily journey "in the woods", since the accident. Physically, I (Lyn) shared in some of your pain, fracturing my right shoulder at the end of December. I had been feeding hungry cats outside and tripped. Reflecting on the operation on your right shoulder last Friday -- the day especially remembering the Lord's agony -- we were reading that it was revealed to St. Bernard that the wound in the Lord's shoulder was the most painful of all His wounds. We both, together with all the LAMP Ministers, offer prayers for your successful recovery and painless (as possible) physical therapy, uniting all with Jesus. Please know of our love that that both of us (& Paul) remember you many times a day in prayer. - Tom & Lyn, Bronx, New York

Thanks to all the brothers, friars, and all who are working so diligently to keep us informed. I check on Fr. B.'s progress everyday. It's like a new form of daily prayer and meditation in my day. You are providing an incredible service to his (and HIS) faithful followers. God bless all you are doing and God bless Fr. B. and all of his doctors, nurses and caregivers. We love him and need him and the good Lord knows that! Love and prayers. - Stephanie St. Peters, MO

My name is Christina and I'm going to be making my First Holy Communion very, very soon. I'm so excited! How are you doing? I am six years old. I saw you talk at the Eucharistic Congress in Washington, D.C. in 2000. I am so happy that I am making my First Holy Communion and that you're still alive! That's pretty much a true miracle!! We have your books, your video tapes and I love seeing your pictures with your health reports. I'm wondering how you look right now, today. I am pretty much the happiest girl in my C.C.D. class. We learn so much good stuff. My favorite song is "Glory to God in the Highest". What's your favorite song? I really hope you're going to get better a lot! I'm going to offer my First Holy Communion and I'm also going to be praying lots of rosaries for you!! Bye bye :) - Christina, Charles Town, WV

Cliff, Chris and Chuck, As I told David yesterday...you are all doing such a wonderfully masterful work with this website...and these videos and music are ministering to us all. Thank you for using your talents so well. Keep it up!! LOVE it!!! - Chris, Manhattan Beach, MA

Daily, and many times daily you come to mind and always with a prayer for perseverance and healing. Thank you for the witness. Our Chaplains—so many of them whose souls you have also touched—join in my concern! - Edwin F. O'Brien, Archbishop for the Military Services

FR. G "Here I am stuck in the woods again" Yes but when your stuck look how many go out to help, trying to be the best they can be. When you choose Jesus look how many follow. Thank you, thank you, thank you, for we are not alone! - Gustavo, Sacramento, California

Send your greetings to Fr. Benedict

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