June 12, 2005
A Wonderful Experience
I just finished giving a retreat to 30 of our brothers at our little St. Francis Retreat in the Catskills. I feel at least 20 years younger! This was a wonderful group of mostly young men – deeply prayerful, deeply devoted to Our Lord Jesus Christ, and anxious to follow the gospel in their lives. I was more than I could have ever dreamed about.
Because of the limitations caused by my accident, I haven’t been able to spend any great length of time with the community. As a result of having our general chapter last week and the retreat this week, I have had many beautiful days with the friars. They are so prayerful, so enthusiastic, and so dedicated that I feel like I died and went to heaven (a dangerous thing for me to say under the circumstances)!
The other night, Fr. Conrad suggested we go out on the side of a high hill and pray as the sunset unfolded in front of us. It was a beautiful, gentle, rose-colored sunset and friars with guitars led some hymns and prayers. Then, as it became dark, we sang night prayer. It was like a scene out of a medieval tapestry.
I am so grateful to God for many things: for the unexpected extension of my life, for being able to function mentally after my serious accident and brain injury, for our two marvelous young communities of sisters and brothers, and for all the faithful friends who make our life and work with the poor possible.
I wish you could have been there. I waited 70 years for such an experience!
Fr. Benedict Groeschel, CFR
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comments: father benedict @ franciscanfriars.com
