Dear friends of Fr. Benedict,

From the Hospital:

Progress report on Father Benedict

Easter Monday, April 12, 2004

This time I am writing my own progress report. On Easter Sunday it was exactly three months since my serious accident. I am happy to say that during those three months I have been able to learn to walk again. On Good Friday I took 150 steps-of course, with a walker and the aid of another person. This is perhaps one of the most challenging parts of recovery. My health has improved considerably; when you have an accident as I did, which leaves you at the doorstep of death, many systems in the body are disturbed. For two months I was unable to eat, speak, or drink any liquids. Those two months were a real purgatory, which I will never forget. Now I am free to do all these things and even to go outside and sit in the sun.

I expect shortly to go to a nationally known program for physical rehabilitation for several weeks. While there, I hope to regain the full use of most of my limbs. My right elbow is still quite sore and problematic. I pray to Our Blessed Mother of Lourdes and Saint Bernadette for a little series of miracles that I will be able to use my right hand again. Otherwise, I won't be signing any more books.

Not only do I receive physical therapy at the skilled nursing home where I am but I also receive many visits from physical therapists and even a physician in the area who volunteer to take care of me as an apostolic work. I am very grateful for your prayers and ask you to continue to pray for the restoration of my arm, if it be God's will. God bless you all.

Let us continue to pray for each other!

Father Benedict

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Dear Father Benedict: Christ is Risen Indeed! Greetings from Oregon. I met you at Our Lady Of Peace Retreat House several years ago. I've had many miracles of Grace in my life since then. I now have 3 young sons 7, 5 and 3. Our 3 year old, Sean, has Down Syndrome. When he was first born I was close to despair. Now Our Lord had changed my heart. He is a joy. I see more of God's wisdom in this every day, one day at a time. Our family is truly blessed and have been blessed by you as well. Also got to hear you at Holy Rosay Church in Portland and your talk on Holy Mother Church and the crisis really helped my husband and me. You are in our prayers as well as your community. God Speed and Get well soon. Please pray for us as well.-Nanette, Silverton, Oregon

Hello Father, It is beyond any words to descride how wonderful it is to "see" you at this site in video. I am so thankful there are updates and that you are staying in contact with us through your sufferings. It is a good reminder that we should still keep praying for you, for your continued spiritual strength through this trying time. We await the time when we will see you on EWTN giving glory to God for your complete healing! We love and pray for you Father B. Get well so you can come visit us here in New Mexico and try some "authentic" New Mexican food (note it is not "mexican")-The Flynns, Rio Rancho, New Mexico

Dear Father Benedict; You are as so many have said an insturment of The Good Lord. When I hear you speak of Jesus and his love and mercy I realize that it is possible to follow Jesus and be his disciple. Even if and of course imperfectly. I have found tremedous Hope in Jesus because what He does through you. Amen Alleluia.-Fr. Brian, Seymour, Conn.

Fr. Glenn, Happy Easter to you and Fr. Groeschel. How good it is to see Fr.G. on video giving his Easter greetings. I was struck by the fact that he seems somewhat short of breath and notice that his chest is moving incorrectly. I wonder if he has a "flail chest" and should something be done about this. If it is possible to stabilize his chest wall he might be less short of breath. While you are at it a glass of Guinness nightly might help his anemia. This was normal treatment in Irish hospitals for many years. God bless, Christ is Risen, ALLELULIA, ALLELULIA, ALLELULIA.-Teresa, Markham, Onotario, CANADA

Dear Fr. Groeschel, HE IS REISEN. TRUELY RISEN ALLELUIA ALLELUIA!! I am so happy to be able to read your letters daily. I pray for your continued recovery. So many times I have wanted to share your letters with others. I don't know how to do it but your webwiz person could set it up---- if you thought it worth while. I would like you to think about making your letters available to be emailed directly to others from this site. God Bless you.- Domenica, Glen Ellyn, Illonois

Fr. Benedict, you are truly an inspiration to me, and I pray for your health every day. Your courage and conviction during this time is beautiful, you will continue to have Christ by your side, and his loving Mother Mary. I also did see the movie The Passion of the Christ and thought it was a very good depiction of Christ's life and love for us all....I will continue to pray for your recovery....God Bless.... -Jennifer, Yonkers, New York

Easter blessings from Florida. We were to be your chauffeurs during your stay at the OLPH retreat center and were so shocked when we heard of your accident via EWTN. We did have the opportunity to meet Fr. Mariusz however and drive him to the Tampa airport. What a privilege that was and we enjoyed our visit with him. Please tell him hello for us. We check on your progress every day and continue to pray for your complete recovery. God bless you Father! Love and prayers - Pat and Leon, Fort Ogden, Florida

Thank you so much for your Easter message. It is so wonderful to see you. Your courage and hope are such an inspiration for all of us. May God continue to bless you and heal you. You will remain in our prayers.-Pat , Stephanie and Katie, Murrysville, Pennslyvania

May the peace and promise of Our Glorious Risen Lord sustain us all throughout our lives and for all eternity! (Sssssh! Don't remind Father Benedict about this yet, but this coming Friday, April 16th, is the feastday of St. Benedict Joseph Labre --Father Groeschel's own NAMESDAY! Let's overwhelm Father Ben with prayers, blessings, and best wishes for his continued "miraculous" recovery! Maybe Joe and Dave can even do something "special" on the website! P.S. For more info on St. Benedict, a truly remarkable and unusual saint whom Fr. Ben himself refers to as "that blessed crazy-man", logon to "www.catholicencyclopedia.com".-Joseph, Shrub Oak, New York

Fr. Benedict, the Friars, Joe Campo and the gang, May Our Lady wrap you all in her loving mantel and may Our Lord Jesus shower each of you with Easter Blessings! I continue to implore Our Dear Lord Jesus to lay His healing hands upon you Fr. Benedict and restore you to health. If I may be so bold as to ask you to pray for Harry and Loretta. He lost his job recently. They have three children. Thank you so much and God Bless. All for Jesus, Mary and Joseph- Carol, San Antonio, Texas.

Send your greetings to Fr. Benedict

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