Dear friends of Fr. Benedict,

Today is Wednesday, February 25. Here is the latest update on Fr. Benedict.

God bless you and thank you for your visit.

Father B didn't get much sleep last night. Thank God it wasn't because of pain. In fact, he's now off the powerful pain medication, feeling fine, and is much more alert during the day. However, please pray that these next few days away from the pain killers will be gentle on Father. A few more specialists stopped by for a visit and everyone was pleased with what they saw. We were hoping that physical therapists would get him out of bed and into the chair today, but for some reason that didn't happen. Sitting up in the chair is evidently good for the heart. So, we'll see tomorrow.

Father was very happy that he's getting good grades. The physical therapist who works on his arms and legs was very happy with his progress. "Slowly" appears to be the popular word among his doctors, nurses and therapists. It is a word Father B is considering adding into his dictionary!

Father Benedict has told the brothers more than once that things will be changing for him. Less traveling and more writing is the probable scenario. I have already introduced the idea to Father of him wading into this Website by possibly posting a daily or weekly message/meditation. He does this with the "Oratory of Divine Love", small prayer groups inspired by Saint Catherine of Genoa and revived by Father Benedict. Let's wait and see what God wants.

Father Gene Fulton, Father Benedict's co-worker at the retreat house, celebrated Mass in the hospital room today. Of course he gave Father B ashes as he did to a good number of doctors and nurses. Br. Daniel was both somewhat amused and impressed seeing so many hospital professionals with white coats and clipboards - and ashes!

Tonight, the movie "The Passion of the Christ" opens throughout the United States. Of course, the Passion has had a continuous showing on the walls of Catholic churches for some centuries now. Those of us who see this movie will no longer mindlessly walk past the Stations in church. We will, I'm certain, also be taking special note of that crucifix which often hangs unnoticed in our home. Then there's the rosary. Am I the only one whose mind wanders while trying to meditate on the Sorrowful Mysteries? Well, from now on, this certainly will not happen because now seared into our minds will be the blood, sweat, the tears, the shouting crowds, the bloody crown, and the heavy cross.

Lord, may this movie meditation of your love for us always be present within us. May our tears soften, in some mysterious manner, the hardness of our hearts. Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our own passion and death. Amen!

Until tomorrow, if God wills. God bless you.

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Dear Father Benedict, I was deeply saddened to learn of your accident. It appears that Satan will stop at nothing in his attacks on the faithful. Ihave read and listened to much of what you have published, and have shared those readings, tapes and CD's with friends. Two of my favourites are An Urgent Appeal and A Reason to Believe. I remember you and all who are sick or suffering every day in my Daily Offering and in all my daily prayers. May our Lord return you to health, and richly bless you and all the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. Yours in Christ. - Steve, Canada

There will be some fresh LOBSTERS waiting for you and Fr. John in NEWPORT!!!! Peace, love, and prayer - Leo, Newport, Rhode Island

Dear Benedict, Welcome home to New York! It was truly a privilege and blessing to visit with you last month in Orlando and to concelebrate Mass in your hospital room. We Paulists and the many people I have met on missions and retreats have been bombarding heaven for your recovery. May the good God also bless your novices now on retreat in New Jersey with Fr. Glenn. You are spiritual father and mentor to so many of us, and our nation's greatest contemporary evangelist. We need you more than ever. Love-Fr. Bruce Nieli, C.S.P.

Dear Father Benedict: Pax et Bonum. I know you will be alright now, I just know it...how could you not when you have catholics, protestants, jewish brethren, and even us Eastern Orthodox praying for you?? All your suffering will save souls, we are sure....in fact one of our Russian Orthodox (Old Rite) monks is stationed at Mt. Angel Abbey in Oregon and I have notified him of you and said all from the Abbey (Benedictines) are praying for you as well. We daily remember you at the Divine Liturgy, our fasting, struggles and prayers. Your love for the poor, and you mirror St. Francis along with your Brothers, Fr. Glen and your whole community is an example to all denominations how to love with the very Heart of Jesus....we KNOW you shall recover completely and thank the Lord and the All Pure Theotokos for your recovery....we love you dear Father in Christ Jesus...Fr. Matthew and brotherhood of Russian Orthodox (Old-Rite) Monks of North Dakota. - Fr. Matthew, Voltaire, North Dakota

My husband and I are praying daily for Father Groeschel. We are Baptist, but we love EWTN and all the programming, especially Father Groeschel's program. We pray that the mighty healing power of God will continue to be with Father Groeschel to restore him fully! Thankyou for your work. May God continue to bless all the wonderful work that you dear brothers and sisters do in His name.- Tom & Amy, Cullman, Alabama

Dear Fr. Groschel; From the staff of the El Nino Gift Shop in Irondale, Al., Judy, Pat, Eileen, Lainie, and me, Jack. Please know that we, and most, if not all, of the E.W.T.N. staff are praying for you. All of the prayers from people around the world seem to have worked. We pray for a return to good health for you. We can not afford to lose a powerful priest such as you. God will see that you will recover and be given your good health back. We hope to see you soon here at E.W.T.N. May God bless you! - Jack Coppola and all of us here at E.W.T.N., Irondale, Alabama

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, Indiana

My soulmate Elizabeth from Atherton, California told me of your accident and of your continued recovery. Jesus loves us and I will thank him forever for all he's done and continues to do in my life. I was once an over-intellectualizing searcher and self- answering agnostic and it led me ultimately to the abyss of self-destruction. I was saved by the out-stretched hand of Christ but I had to grab it with one of the two hands that I were keeping me from the final descent. I had to let go and have Faith that I would not tumble into the depths for good. I didn't and today I walk with God at my side each and every day. With him I am mighty and full of life again. And Elizabeth came back into my life. Ain't life grand?! Thank you for your work in the world. Please get well soon. - Earl, New York

Praise God, Praise Jesus and thanks be to all the saints in heaven, Father Benedict has traveled back to NY. The tears are falling on this key board as I write. I know you traveled on Friday, but I had such a strong feeling for you at Mass tonight Father Benedict. I want you to know that I am praying for you, lighting a holy candle and offering up all graces for your recovery and return to ministering to the flock. I pray also for all your brothers and flock that they are given a peace and the rest they need, now that they have you close to them in NY. On Ash Wednesday our confirmation students, all 50 will be going to Mass, receiving ashes and having reconciliation. We will all pray at the Holy Tabernacle and during Mass for Father Benedict and his brothers and sisters. God Bless you all, and I will be praying night and day for all of you. - Kathy, East Haddam, CT.

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