Dear friends of Fr. Benedict,

From The Hospital #12

March 25, 2004

When a calamity or distressing situation comes into our lives, such as an incurable illness, the birth of an incapacitated child, or an accident like I just experienced, faith and grace will help us to say "Thy will be done".

It takes plenty of help from God and our own willingness to believe to do this, but we often don't recognize what is implied. It means that day after day one accepts the distressful results of the illness or incapacity. Day after day a person with an incurable illness, an incapacitated loved one, or a chronic disease lives out the details of the statement "Thy will be done".

That is where God is truly honored - in the small details He brings out good from evil. This was a powerful message in "The Passion". In detail after detail we saw Christ accepting one horror after another all as part of His prayer "Not My will, but Your will be done".

Let us continue to pray for each other!

Father Benedict

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"Therefore those of us who still believe that you can "offer it up" have a great motive to try to put up with our sufferings." Oh Father if you only knew how Jesus is speaking to me through your mouth right now. I am dealing with some difficulties that are almost unbearable but what you just said speaks directly at how our Lord wants us to deal with things. Give it to him and let it go. Come to me all who are weary and I will give you rest. God bless you Father... you see???? Jesus ISNT done with you yet. That's why you came back to us. - Frederick, Douglasville, Georgia

Dear Father Glenn, I was just thinking...Fr. Ben's daily "Hospital Briefings" are so short yet so spiritually uplifting! Wouldn't it be great if the Friars and Associates could begin a ministry that would encourage Catholic hospitals (for starters!) to include a large-print copy of Father's Daily Message (without e*mails!) with every patient's breakfast or lunch trays? Wow! Imagine: receiving personal encouragement from someone actually experiencing YOUR pain! I think it's do-able! What do you think? P.S. According to the e*mail counter, it looks like Fr. Ben's tally is well over a million! While his beloved St. Therese is spending her eternity doing good on earth, will poor Fr. Ben STILL be reading e*mails??????? Pax et bonum! - Joe Zaleski, Shrub Oak, New York

Dear Father Benedict, It's such a consolation to know that even you struggle with the concept of offering up your sufferings for the benefit of the church. I've always wondered how putting up with acid reflux disease could possibly benefit anyone except the "Zantac" people. But now that I see someone such as yourself struggling yet doing it so well----it gives me courage to keep pressing towards the goal. Keep setting the good example. It gives the rest of us hope as well as meaning to our own sufferings. God bless you always. - Lorrie, Rochester, New York

Dear Fr. Benedict: I am glad to hear you are recovering. As a seminarian, your reflections on how to live as a disciple in today's world and be faithful to Christ and His Church have inspired me greatly. May the Suffering Servant continue to use you as His instrument of wisdom. - Frank, Maspeth, New York

Dear Fr. Benedict: Did you hear a loud noise coming from the West this morning? I was listening to Relevant Radio on my way to school in suburban Chicago when they announced that not only have you taken a few steps, that wretched trach is out!!!!!!!! YEEE-HAWWWWW!!!!!!! (Well, it's only fair, you probably can't holler too well at the moment *grin*) Thank you, dear Blessed Mother, and all the saints we've been pestering for the past two months about our precious Fr. Benedict! - Cynthia, McHenry, Illinois

Fr. Benedict, my husband & I say a Chaplet of Devine Mercy for you everyday at 3PM we are so glad that you can speak. God be with you. - Judy & Bob ,Paris, Tennessee

Dear Father Benedict.-¡¡Let us continue to pray for each other!! Mexican children will have our Via-Crucis on March 26, you are always in our minds. God Bless you "ALL" - Yoya, Mexico

Dear Father Benedict: I am praying for you and for God's will in your life. I once went to confession to you holding a worn out copy of De Caussade' book Abandonment to Divine Providence. I am on a new copy now (with a nicer cover) but I don't find it easy. You are such an inspiration to me to continue to persevere in prayer and to love God and His people as best I can. Thank you for everything. - Bill, Rohnert Park, California

Hi Father Benedict-I have taken to copying your words from the hospital into a book and asking the Lord to heal your right arm soon so that you may write your own words in your own book to share with us.May the Holy Spirit continue to inspire you with the words we need to read and hear.May all needed blessings and graces be granted to you.- Elizabeth, Derry, New Hampshire

Send your greetings to Fr. Benedict

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