Dear friends of Fr. Benedict,

From The Hospital #6

If you have followed my preaching and writing over the years, you know that the most significant part of my application of the Gospels to everyday life has been the acceptance of God's Will and Divine Providence. I've tried personally to live this out, but I had no idea that in my later years I would be confronted with so great a challenge as now faces me.

Apparently, by a medical miracle, I am still alive - having really been considered dead. One can't miss the conclusion that when this happens, God still wants us here. Consider how many times in the course of life we are in danger of death and not even aware of it!

I don't know what God has in store for me, nor do you know what He has in store for you; yet a conviction that must guide us both is "Your will be done". This conviction should be the ultimate intention of all of our prayers - along with finding our peace in the acceptance of that will. Certainly to pray like this is a gift of the Holy Spirit.

Let us continue to pray for each other!

Father Benedict

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Dear Fr Benedict, Once again I make my daily visit to the Friar's site to check on one whom I consider a good friend. I am an Eastern Orthodox priest from Birmingham, Alabama and now serving in Calgary. I have probably 25 of your tapes and have read most of your books and followed you on EWTN and WEWN shortwave for twenty years. Your faithfulness has been a great consolation to me and your clear teaching on the spiritual and psychological life have truly helped to form my unworthy soul and I thank God for you and your order and all the good they are doing. Continue to get well and know that you are in the prayers of many. Glory Be to Jesus Christ!- Fr Ignatius, Canada

Concerning Fr. Benedict's miraculous deliverance from an almost certain death:THANK YOU JESUS!!!GLORY AND PRAISE TO YOU LORD JESUS CHRIST< KING OF ENDLESS GLORY!!! -Maria, Celebration, Florida

Dear Fr. Benedict, You mentioned in your note yesterday of your gratitude. Although you have suffered in the past two months, and still need to fight to continue to recuperate, your illness has been a blessing to us. Something that I for one am grateful for. This is tremendously selfish on my part; however, your illness has been a part of a recent change in my life. You and your work were a small blip on my radar screen of life - until you had your accident. Then your life became a part of mine. I would read the daily updates with anticipation of your continued improvement. You became a part of my daily prayer life. And now you are once again educating me - I have begun to read your writings and listen to your tapes with a new zest. I hope that you will bless us with a book on your suffering, as you have begun to do with your daily posts. This will only enrich our lives all the more and make us better Christians. As a doctor I take care of many patients a day - but none can teach me your perspective, as a man who said yes to the Lord and the Franciscan way. In Christ's Peace and Love, -John, Congers, New York

I thank you for sharing your God-given gifts to help people like me. It has helped me to trust God's plan and His love especially in dealing with my dear daughter, suffering from a schizo-affective disorder and substance abuse. Our Lord be praised for your good work and thank you for helping me. May God bless you always. You are in my prayers always. -Kathleen, Anderson, Indiana

Dear Father Benedict, Greetings from Rhode Island. I just wanted to thank you for carrying the cross for us, as did Jesus. I am certain that you are saving many, many sous through this special ministry. Praised be Jesus that you are speaking to us again!!! May Jesus and His Blessed Mother comfort and strengthen you, dear Father. -Geri, Cumberland, Rhode Island.-Geri, Cumberland, Rhode Island

Dearest Father Benedict~ Praised be Jesus Christ now and forever! The knowledge that you are able to speak again and have made such marked improvements during these two months of suffering and recovery is consolation indeed. Perhaps even greater is the consolation that comes from your witness, whether in silent suffering, or through your teaching apostolate, that you are always speaking the Gospel, and as St. Francis admonished "using words when necessary!" I am so thankful for you, for the Friars, and for all the great works you do to extend God's love into this world. Please be assured of my continual prayers for you and the community, and may you remain under the mantle of Our Lady of Guadalupe-Bill, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Dear Father Benedict - We, members of the Oratory of Divine Love of Berkeley Heights, thank God for your continued improvement. We miss you and continue to pray for you. The Oratory continues to be healthy and strong, and is a big part of our spiritual journey. We look forward to being with you soon. Love and God Bless.- Geri , Charlie and Theresa , Mary and Jack , Eileen Prendeville, Jackie , Mary Ann , Joan , Mary , Evelyn , Berkeley Heights, New Jersey

Dearest Fr. Benedict, What a joy and a blessing to read your messages from the hospital. It is indeed a miracle! What an inspiration to hear your words of gratitude and appreciation for your present situation. Anyone else would have probably given up; but, not you. You knew you still had much to live for and much work to be done. How blessed we all are to still count you among the living. Be at peace, and continue to heal at God's pace. Be patient, and be ready for your next assignment! We love you and continue to pray for you.- Alice, Tullahoma, Tennessee

Send your greetings to Fr. Benedict

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