Dear friends of Fr. Benedict,

From the Hospital:

Message for Easter Wednesday, April 14, 2004

Why, you ask yourself (and so do I), is it so hard to accept what God permits, not what He causes? If we think of the immense sorrow of the Blessed Virgin Mary, it is perfectly legitimate to ask why we didn't go from the Last Supper to the Ascension and miss all the terrible suffering in between. God knew what was going to happen; Christ knew what was going to happen. He shrank from the suffering that awaited Him and asked if God's will could change. That was His human nature. In His human nature even Christ appears not to be totally passive about what the Father wills. Therefore, it cannot be wrong to ask if some misfortune or cross that looms before us, or is already upon us, be taken away. Christ Himself does it during His agony in the garden. Beyond that, however, we must be determined always to see our suffering through, to carry the cross all the way, no matter what.

The interesting question is, Why should this be asked of us in our lives? We'll look at that question tomorrow.

Let us continue to pray for each other!

Father Benedict

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Dear Father Benedict, It was so wonderful to hear your voice with your Easter wishes, and to know that you are recovering more and more each day! We have been praying for you! I was introduced to your tapes Father Benedict by my boyfriend, who had the honour of hearing you speak at a seminar he was at. I am fairly new to the Catholic Faith, just confirmed this Easter. Listening to your tapes, have made a wonderful difference in my life. When I heard of your accident I was devestated. You have made such an impact on so many people in this world, my dream is to one day have the honour of meeting you! God Bless, Love-Alina and Tom, Ottawa, Ontario,Canada

Dear Father Benendict, Thanks so much for making an Easter message for us on the friars website! A special Easter blessing that was indeed, for us all. I know that thousands email you daily and they can't all be put on the website especially repeat messages such as mine, but I get inspired every time I hear a new message from you, and I have to send you another email!! I logon every day to check on your progress, and I still pray to and thank God daily for your steady progress. I purchased and watched your "Good Friday" video and thoroughly enjoyed all your words of wisdom. I especially liked what you said about the issue of combatting false Catholic teaching. Since I have been involved in RCIA for several years, the need for teaching true Catholic doctrine is paramount to me. I recommend your books and tapes and EWTN to each new RCIA group. I am making a Cruisillo weekend starting this Thursday night, so please pray for me to be open to the Spirit and to the love that our loving Father has for me. While there I will keep you in my prayers and ask for continued healing for you, especially for your elbow and shoulder. God bless and take care.-Nancy D., LEWISVILLE, North Carolina

Benedict Joseph: I am praying for you..I am in Puerto Rico..and still am preaching in our missions..Please take care..God bless you..Get well soon...May the Lord give you His peace..Your brother-Mario, Ponce, Puerto Rico

Father Groeschel, and to all your wonderful fellow priests, and members of your community. Your video is thrilling, and it is beyond description to hear your voice again. That voice, that has inspired so many, ourselves included, to seek the Lord first and foremost. We met you once, in Providence, RI, where you were speaking. During a break, you signed books in the lobby. I had brought my Ignatius Bible, and was thrilled to think you might sign it. As I approached you I said "Father, you didn't write this one, but will you sign it anyway?". I'm not sure you got the joke, but you did sign it. God bless you Father. What more can we say. We simply love you, and only want you to be well and comfortable. Kathleen and Frank.-Welch, Hill, Conn.

FATHER-LOVE SEEING VIDEO OF YOU..GOD BLESS..HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON.LOVE,-JOHN, BONNIE,JOHN FRANCIS,THERESA, N.MASSAPEQUA, New York

Dear Father Benjamin,I think you are one of God's favorite people. You sure have the connections! You have been a spiritual inspiration to this old Irish guy for many years. May Our Lord Jesus love you forever.-Daniel, Troy, New York

Dear Fr. Groeschel, This is the third time I'm trying to send you an e-mail. If you got the other 2 I'm sorry for the extra reading. But with all these messages popping up I don't know. So here goes... Thank you for your daily messages. ABC news says there are 150,000 new Catholic converts this Easter and I hope someday they can hear you too. So, no pressure but get well soon. PS The Friars arrived at the abortion mill early Saturday morning (about 2 o'Clock) just in the nick of time. Even for April it was soooo cold! I went inside with some other Helpers to warm up while the Friars prayed outside in their bare feet and sandals!-Brooklyn, New york

Dear Father Bendecit, We have corresponded before in the past. I'm your Jewish friend and admirer in Chicago, IL. I was saddened to learn that you have been in hospital since. I pray for your speedy recovery, for what we in the Jewish tradition, as you know well, would call a "Refuah Shlemah." I read the terrible things that were said of you in the "Dallas News" for the first time today. I will pray that the author of this smear finds a way back to God through authentic repentance. But more importantly I pray earnestly that you will be up and about very soon. I am convinced that like Esther in Tanakh, God has raised you up for such a time as this!-David, Chicago, Illinois

Dearest Father, I met you at one of your lectures on Mother Teresa. I was especially moved by your telling of Mother Teresa's moments of darkness. I am experiencing depression most often and today in confession I was told that "anger is a gift" and that suppression of anger can cause depression. I wish to do God's will. I wish to become a writer. Can you tell me something, even just one sentence that will help me to better understanding how my anger/depression can help me in fulfilling God's will? My writing seems to be so empty and meaningless. I have ordered your book 'Arise from Darkess'. Please pray for me- that I may come to understand why I have been detached and how I can serve my family in such dark moments? God bless your work. Always In Christ,-Terry, Sleepy Hollow, New York

Dear Father, You look wonderful! We will continue to pray for you, the friars, and your work. The internet is not such a bad thing after all... God Bless-Marisa, Manassas Park, Virginia

Send your greetings to Fr. Benedict

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