Dear friends of Fr. Benedict,

From The Hospital

March 11, 2004

Today is an anniversary for me - the second month after my accident. It also is an important day because I began to be able to speak. This makes life easier and in many ways, more enriching. Speech permits us to not be locked up in our little room of self.

We just had Mass offered by Father Luke, a young friar of our community. We welcomed someone from down the hall, Professor Alice von Hildebrand, a distinguished Catholic writer and the wife of the late Dietrich von Hildebrand. Alice and I have been close friends for many years and you may have seen our series on suffering on EWTN. She reminded me of a very important line which I had forgotten. It was a statement by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen: "Nothing is worse than wasted suffering". Of course one is tempted to ask, "Why did this accident occur?" While I am being tempted to ask this, I am looking at a picture of Saint Padre Pio who said "Don't ask why, ask what - what am I supposed to do?" That's rather obvious except one must admit a deficiency of virtues and throw oneself before Christ crucified and the Holy Spirit.

We all suffer. Some suffer well, some poorly, some bitterly, some in union with Christ, some in union with Our Lady and the Saints, some in union with God as they know Him, some only in union with the other people in the hospital, and some all alone - but we suffer. How much better it is to suffer even poorly and inconsistently in union with Christ. Let's keep praying for each other.

Father Benedict

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Fr. Benedict, you rock! So many people would have given up by now! But ohhhhhhhh no! Not you! You just kept/keep persevering. And I thank you for that! I've been going through a rough time lately, but now I'm going to try to get myself to think, "Well for goodness sake, if Fr. Benedict can stick it through, by golly so can you! Press on!!!" So thank you for not giving up! (Besides, this also means that I will soon be able to ask you all of my apologetics questions! Hahaha.) You pray for me, I pray for you, and it's all good! : ) P.S. God is so good, isn't He? - Allison, Liverpool, New York

Oh Father' I am so thrilled!!!! There are tears in my eyes as I thank God for your life. You have brought so much to so many. God bless you and keep you. - Mary, Tucson, Arizona

May God bless you Fr. Groeschel. You have been instrumental in my return to Christianity. I wil continue to pray for you. In His Peace. - Joe, Pennslyvania

Dear Fr. Benedict, My mother and I heard one of your mornings of reflection in Kearny, NJ about one year ago. You mentioned then that you personally don't like to use computers but fortunately you have lots of helpers who keep you updated about the Internet. My mother doesn't like computers at all. Well, at the same time you had your accident, my sister had surgery and my mother came to New Jersey to take care of her and her three children. She told me about your accident, and I found this wonderful website with Fr. Glen's daily updates. My mother has been able to benefit by having me print them out and take them to her every day. So GET WELL SOON, Fr. Benedict, so my printer doesn't break from all this use! I hope my mother and you see that computers aren't ALL bad! Incidentally, I hope you publish these daily update and many of the emails someday. It's been a really unique time, and a wonderful communion of the saints has been realized! - Sarah, Kearny, New Jersey

Fr. Benedict, You are in my prayers. I consider you one of my teachers and was so saddened by your accident. I have purchased many of your tape series and have one on order through Crisis magazine. I pray that you have a speedy recovery so you can continue to work for Our Lord in His mission. God Bless - Mary, San Diego, California

Dear Fr. Benedict All the GREAT prophets had "a time" in the desert...and this is one of your times. I know what God is doing in you. He is speaking to you and revealing secrets, intimating His Cross, and insights found in no other way possible. Many of us are insecure not seeing you bobbing about in the usual "upbeat fashion"--but you ARE --you ARE--just our perception is askew. Oh PLEASE tell us when you CAN--All the WONDERFUL things God has taught you. I too am in a most unusual "desert", and you are on the top of my list of prayer. God is preparing us for the NEXT rung of service, and it will take CLOSE,TIGHT, INTIMATE ties with HIM,..the LORD---. God BLESS even MORE awesomely,--this Lent--and time of inner growth and renewal for YOU--as Jesus touches you. My prayers are always with you,... I'm praying you'll be well enough for this year's SCRC. Your little sparrow.- Mary, Seattle, Washington

Dear Father Benedict I wish to thank you for your teaching and you are one of my favourite. I' m going to continue praying for you , take care of yourself, and may your situation be manifested in all things that are one with the presence of The Holy Spirit. God bless you and bless all the staff of EWTN. - Marie, Malta

Dear Fr. B., Monday Carol and Mary visited Trinity Retreat to preventitively de-flea and de-tick the cats that are guarding the food stores from mice. Got two and missed two. They were not amused. Carol's CCD class continues to pray for you. Sorry, you'll miss Mary's confirmation, but God has different work for you that day. - Regards, Carol, Mary, Greg and Anne , Hastings-on-Hudson, New York

Dear Father Benedict, I woke up at 2am last night worrying about the bills,the kids.Then I thought of you in the hospital and I began to pray the rosary. Be assured of my continued prayers even in the middle of the night. Love ya. - Christine, Alta Loma, California

Send your greetings to Fr. Benedict

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