Dear friends of Fr. Benedict,

Today is Saturday, February 21. Here is the latest update on Fr. Benedict.

"It was a miracle". I was somewhat shocked hearing these words over the phone this morning. I said, "Say that again?" "It was a miracle, no doubt; it was all the prayers." I was very happy to hear this and more happy to pass this on to you who have been praying! These words are not the words of a priest, religious, or church lady; they are the words of Father Benedict's personal physician. If anyone knows the situation, he does.

Now that Father is settling into his new "home away from home", we had to have a huddle to figure out how to keep the crowds at bay. Being away in Florida was perhaps lonely, but certainly Father would not be disturbed. Thank God, this Website has been able to handle the thousands of messages he has been receiving. If this were ten years ago, we would be competing with the Post Office in the North Pole in December! Yes, every message is recorded, and can readily be printed for Father's browsing during his recovery in rehab. For every E-mail printed on this webpage, there are scores of others. If you don't see your message printed; don't worry, we have them and Father B. will read them!

Father's doctor told me that our short-term goal is to wean him from the respirator and soon fit him with a smaller trach. He also said that Father might be a bit anemic, so he may be given some nourishment intravenously. He also appears to have a slight fever, but this does not seem to be a concern. However, he also wants to wean Father off the pain medication which makes him so groggy. Although there will be some discomfort, in the end it's better for Father to regularize his sleeping habits. Awake with some pain during the day, asleep in the night. Today, Br. Daniel Marie told me Father slept much of the day. He mouthed these words to me yesterday: "Tell everyone 'thank you'".

Those of you who are in the tri-state area, may I ask you not to "pop in" for a visit. Please do not call the retreat house asking for permission for a visit. I went out a bought Br. Daniel Marie a shiny, brand new nightstick. If he sees you poking around the hospital corridors looking for Father B., I gave him permission… Only kidding (I am from Brooklyn)! You get the picture. Please, pray, send a message if you haven't done so already, be patient, and don't call the retreat house, but do check the Website for updates.

I have been pushing Joe and the young men from Saint Francis House to "get that video done"! You may know that a Church-sponsored study on clergy abuse will be released next week. Just in time for Lent. I don't understand why this was done, but I'm not in charge. Nevertheless, this will be ammunition and amusement for the media. "Don't run for cover", Father B. would tell us - "Stand up for Christ!" Why not arm yourselves with Father Benedict's new "Good Friday, The Wounds of Christ and the Wounds of the Church" video - better yet, order two. It only takes two weeks or less to deliver, so if you order now it will be there in plenty of time for Good Friday.

Speaking of Good Friday, next week the friars and the sisters will be viewing the movie, The Passion of the Christ" with priests, religious, and some laity in New Jersey. I am not ashamed to tell you that I am afraid to go. To see someone you love very much mocked, beaten, whipped, then nailed to a cross…. I am not looking forward to this, yet accepting it as a penance for my sins which put this whole sad plot together. Friends, bring two handkerchiefs, it's going to be rough, but you know what? It is just what the doctor ordered. Like a bad puppy we all have to have our face pushed in the poop. After seeing this movie maybe we'll understand why Padre Pio would weep during Mass and why Saint Francis went blind due to his constant crying. Some scholars say it was because they had "sensitive Italian sensibilities". As some of our Texas brothers would say, "hog wash"! They wept (not cried) because they "saw" in their mind and imagination what we will see on a movie screen. None of us will ever pray the Sorrowful Mysteries of the Rosary the same way - ever!

So, see the movie; and see it right away. Hollywood only understands the first week of box office sales. No doubt, we'll have to see it more than once. I fear the first time my eyes will be closed. Please God, not my heart.

To order Father's Good Friday video, please go to www.grassrootsrenewal.com

Until next time, if God wills. God bless you!

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

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Praise be to our merciful Lord, Jesus Christ! Our prayers have been answered, How New York has missed you Fr. Benedict, You most certainly have felt the brushing of our Lord's garments upon you as he enveloped you with his healing touch healing your wounds. Our Blessed Mother, day by day, comforted you with her gentle strength. She watched over you with her sons, your brothers in Christ, the wonderful hospital staff and spiritual guides, so many too mention. How blessed and loved you are Fr. Benedict. I will be making many Lenten sacrifices in praise and thanksgiving for your safe return and continued healing. Thank you God, thank you Mary. - Lynn, Bethel, Cincinnati

Dear Fr. Benedict, I am glad to hear that you are back in your home state. Being so close to home, I'm sure that you will have many more friends and associates coming to see you. I will continue to pray for your strength and recovery. I ask for your prayers for my 84 year old mother who is suffering with kidney stones, poor kidney function and severe anemia. Even with all her problems, I think she is doing better than you, but I know that she could use your prayers. Thanks. Keeping you in my prayers. - Linda, Mathist, Texas

I'm so glad to read that you're HOME. In the words of Dorothy from the Wizard of OZ "There's no place like home" Hopefully your recuperation will now go 100 miles an hour. First thing every morning I come check for your progress and offer up prayers for you, your quick recuperation and return to writing more books and tapes. I'm sure what you've been through will give you wonderful insight to more books to help guide us through our own hard times. Thank you for being there (here and there and everywhere) to teach us God's ways. - Bea, Nogales, Arizona

Thank the Lord you got to go back to New York, this is the beginning of complete recovery for you and I hope and pray...a quick 'miraculous' recovery. I pray that you may endure the pain but may that pain be eased and may you soon have vibrant health. You have been an inspiration to the many caring people all over the world and I can hardly wait 'til you can talk and express verbally your feelings. I heard you say you like the stars, so I think of you every night and pray that in no time you will be able to spend time gazing at the stars and enjoying the evening sunset. I am looking very forward to reading your book on Saint Augustine and hope to order it next month. I believe that the words of Saint Mother Theresa...Do not wait for leaders, reach souls, one person at a time...was definitely what happened when you brought the world together and helped many people realize the importance of prayer and love. Faith, Hope and Love...and the greatest of these is Love. Thank you for being such a loving inspiration and look forward to hearing your fabulous sense of humor, wit and incredible guidance in the very near future. - Diana, Canada

I sat and cried as I read the Good News that Fr Benedict is in New York. God is so good to all of us that Fr Benedict is on the road to recovery and is at "home" now! Thanks to all the people in Florida that were so good and caring to him. I will spread the "news" to the people in our Crosslake Immaculate Heart Church. Many prayers of Thanksgiving are being said now. And I sure tears of happiness will be shed also. Blessings to all. - Patty, Crosslake, Minnesota

Dear Father:Was so sorry to hear of your accident.I am a Protestant but enjoy your show and am blessed by it.I pray to God for your recovery so you may continue your special ministry. You are a special servant of our Lord. God Bless you Father - Gary, New Port Richey, Florida

Father Benedict, Blessings on you again today. Do you think this website, which begins our day so beautifully, could be your apostolate as you recover? You could scan the globe from your chair. The Mystical Body of Christ is so visible in these emails, I despair of it ending too soon in these troubles times. - Jo Ellen, Arcola, Illinois

Dear Father Groschel The news of your accident saddens me. As yet we do not receive EWTN on this small island in the north Caribbean Sea which has a very small Catholic Community. Thank goodness for the e-mail connections through which I heard of your accident. My thoughts and prayers for your safe and speedy recovery are offered up to the Divine Heart of Jesus every day. I enjoyed your programs on suffering - God is using you in a most powerful way - may this acceptance of and initing with Our dear Lord as we are approaching the period of Lent be meritorious for all those in the world who are suffering pain, disappointment, frustration, imprisonment of one kind or another. God will truly bless you and without your truly realizing it, your present condition will benefit more souls in the world today. We all love you dearly and we know that that love is returned. May God continue to bless you and restore you to health to continue in your service to Him. - Margaret, Anguilla

A quick hello. I just know that Mary has heard all our prayers for you. It's true what Fr. Glen said about levitating. Now I truly understand what Jesus meant when He said that if we leave all and follow you, Our heavenly Father will grant you 100 times more on heaven." Only you have been given an early start. You are deeply loved. It will be good to see you home again. - Lorrie, Robbinsville,New Jersey

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