Dear friends of Fr. Benedict,
Today is Sunday, February 22. Here is the latest update on Fr. Benedict.
"You don't understand, I'm Father Benedict's superior, you
have to let me 
in".
There I was standing in the lobby hoping I wasn't late for Mass, which was scheduled
to start ten minutes earlier. "You don't understand, I'm in Father's community".
"Sorry, sir, no one goes upstairs without permission". Well this scenario went
on for ten minutes. The vein on the side of my head was on the verge of bursting.
"Sir, I'm glad you're doing your job, but you're keeping away the wrong people!!"
This is how my long awaited visit with Father Benedict began today. No need to go through all the gory details, but in time we got Brother Daniel on the phone. The man behind the desk smiled at me finally satisfied and said, "No problem, you can go upstairs now". I thought to myself, "I wonder if everyone's life is as interesting as mine". Within minutes I was standing outside Father B's room, which had a paper sign that read "No Visitors". When I got into the room I glared at Brother Daniel and told him he was doing too good of a job! Then I saw Father propped up in bed with pillows. I forgot my annoyance at once, and hurried over to his bed. Although I was with Father in Florida for one week, he was always "out of it". This was the first time in over a month I can say we actually communicated.
Although he cannot speak with the trach, for some reason I was able to hear his words ever so slightly. He looked at me and said, "I'm alive, I guess it wasn't my time yet". "No Father, plenty of people made sure of that!" He looked at me and smiled.
Father's arm is in great pain. He asked Brother Daniel and I to adjust the pillow under his hand; he grimaced. The wound on his head is healing nicely; his leg I couldn't see since it was covered. Considering the severity of the accident, he looked quite good. In fact, he spoke to me about the accident. He whispered, "The car hit me at forty-five miles an hour", and then widened his eyes. "A van stopped for me, but a car went around the right side and hit me". Of course, Father remembers nothing after getting hit; in fact he was surprised when I told him Joe Campo and I were by his bed days after the accident. When I asked him with a smile if his life passed before his eyes or if he went through a white tunnel, he simply gave me his typical "no, don't be stupid" look. It was so good to see that look!
Fr. Gene Fulton and I stood by his bed and celebrated Mass while Brother Daniel served. Actually, Father concelebrated as he lie there with Cardinal Cooke's simple white stole draped around his neck. My eyes kept darting in his direction to see if he was engaged during the Mass; he was, especially during the elevation. His eyes were locked on the host. The Mass was brief but very beautiful. During the Prayer of the Faithful, Father Gene offered a few petitions, then paused for us to offer our own. Father B mouthed the words, "For the man who hit me". What a beautiful example of love.
Later before leaving Father told me the pain medication would make him dream. He said the dreams were so life-like, he believed they were real. One dream he had was of himself handing out food to the poor. I thought to myself, "Even in his dreams he's helping other people!"
I will be spending the next five days in New Jersey giving a retreat to the novices. Next Monday they'll be professing their first vows. Something to note: four of the novices are from France, one is from Lebanon, one from England, two are lawyers (one a widower with six daughters!). There are four others, each nicer than the next. I am a proud father! I will do my best to get a daily report to you during this week of retreat. Please pray for us.
When I asked Father if he had a message to give to you, he mouthed the words emphatically - "Keep praying!" So, let's do what he wants; let's keep praying!
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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Dear Fr. Groeschel, I am so happy to hear that you were brought to New York> I offer my daily prayers and Sunday Mass for your quick recovery. Even my husband, who claims to be agnostic, (can you imagine a good Catholic and an agnostic living peacefully in the same house?) has been asking about your conidition. Some time he even stays in the living room when I am watching your TV program on Sunday evenings. Maybe between the two of us we can convert him! May the Holy Spirit send his healing powers to your aid. - Diane, Fremont, Ohio
Dear Fr B. We are praying several times daily that your return to NY will help to hasten your healing. At evening rosary, Legion of Mary prayers, Mass, and at every blessings for our meals we ask Our Lord for His Loving Mercy on you. How wonderful to read all the e-mails daily that Fr. Glenn writes (with the help of others you love)! God continue to watch over you & Our Mother Mary to hold you close to her Immaculate Heart. - Elizabeth, Thurmont, Maryland
Comments/Questions: Thank you Father Benedict for the constant message of love and hope that you send to us. As I listen to the video clips on the website ~Your words are like balm for my wounded heart and soul. You always help me to remember that there is hope for me with Jesus and He loves me in spite of myself. Thank you for speaking and living His message of love. May God heal you to speak to the many that need you and Him. God's speed~God's will~God's love. - Mary, Mallard, IA
Father: I went onto the website today to confirm that you safely landed in New York. It is very strange to walk by your room in PCU and not see you and your gang there. I will continue to pray for you, and your continued recovery. I feel blessed that I was able to meet you, despite the circumstances. - Lisa, Kissimmee, Florida
To Father Ben and all his friends helping with prayer and with physical ministrations...Thank You. I love Father B so much that this situation has put me on my knees more than a few times (a rather infrequent happening). I am trying to make a change in my own life as a sacrifice, a deal if you will, and it is inspired by my prayer that God's Will will be done. I have hoped God would let us have you for a while longer. I am so happy we have been granted this request, now I am asking for more time with you. Someday, perhaps we may even meet on this earth . Right now, I'm just happy we are both in this life now. God bless you and ease your pain and increase your strength.- Larry, Warren, Michigan
Dear Father Benedict, May the Lord grant you His healing grace and peace! Since we heard the news of your accident last month, our seminary community has kept you in our daily prayers: at Mass, Holy Hour, and countless rosaries. You have always been so good to the Mount and have a special place in our hearts. Last weekend, we were happy to have so many of the friars and sisters here to help us with our annual "Mount 2000 and Beyond" Eucharistic prayer festival. I thank you for the special bond we have with you and your Franciscan community. We will continue to pray for you and your recovery. May your sharing in the passion of Christ this Lent be a source of grace and blessing for the you and for the Church! Fraternally yours in Christ, - Father Kevin, Emmitsburg, Maryland
Following the updates on your condition, reading what so many have said about you, seeing how much you are loved, I can only believe that you are one of God's special people (yes, I know we are all God's special people, but there must be those that share a special place and I know you are one of them). I know He will continue the miracle and have you back on your feet before too long. Patience!! and God bless you! - Eileen, Narrowsburg, New York
Dear Benedict -- Well, you've saved me a trip to Orlando, never one of my favorite spots, though I think your hiding place in New York will be more difficult to discover. / I will see the Gibson film only because of what you told me the last time we were together. But I sure hope you are right that it will not give comfort and strength to Jew-haters everywhere. - Rabbi David
Dear Fr Benedict. Trust, surrender, believe, receive... thats all we can do. So dearest Fr Benedict, I hand you over to Our Heavenly Father, and I ask Our most Loving and Blessed Mother Mary to wrap your weak and ailing body in Her Heavenly mantle and I ask Our Lord Jesus to pour out His Precious Blood on you and heal you if it be His Holy Will. God Bless you always. - Ann-Marie, Ireland
Dear Father Benedict, I have never seen EWTN but have surely heard about it, and have no doubt that a lot of Catholics gain wisdom & knowledge from it. I pray for your complete and full recovery and know that God will give you all the strength u need to overcome this. May God be with you always, Lots of love - Sandra , United Arab Emirates
