Dear friends of Fr. Benedict,

From the Hospital:

Message for Easter Thursday, April 15, 2004

Why some of us have to endure great sufferings in life is an interesting question. Think of all the people in the twentieth century who died horribly in war - children, civilian populations, people in concentration camps. Why did that happen? Many of these people firmly believed in God. Many prayed to God that there would be peace and that they would not be caught in the huge conflagration of war. And we don't have to go back the beginning of the twentieth century; we only have to look at recent military conflicts or uprisings in the Near East.

The answer is partly that God gives human beings freedom and does not run the world like a puppet show. Another reason is that it is in overcoming evil, good is ultimately accomplished. It seems to us that everything should be good and that evil should simply disappear. That sounds like a good idea, but it is not what happens. So I sit here in the hospital with an evil - the right side of my body badly injured. It probably will lead to a shortening of my life, since I was an older person when I had this trauma. But is all of that so evil? No, it seems to me that in following God and trusting in Him or by turning to Him in dark hours, we can change evil into good. That is the mystery of the Cross.

Let us continue to pray for each other!

Father Benedict

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Dear FR Benedict, I pray to God for your complete and speedy recovery. I listen to your programs on EWTN fervently because they bring me closer to God. In a world beset by major problems, your programs are beacons of light and truth. All of our sufferings, as you always tell us Father, have a redemptive value in union with the crucified Christ. I am sure that your sufferings have a greater meaning in God's overall plan. So be of great joy and cheer Father, for your sufferings have not been in vain. Your brother in Christ. "pray for us o holy mother of God, that we made be worthy of the promises of Christ"..God bless you Father-Toro, Tampa, Florida

Fr. Groeschel. We wish you a quick recovery, and you are in our prayers. We enjoy all your programs and saw you in Ann Arbor, Michigan at Domino Farm's for one of your wonderful talks. We will keep you in our prayers always.-NANCY, TUCSON, ARIZONA

Dear Fr. Benedict, Continued speedy recovery we pray to The LORD through the Immaculate Heart of Our Blessed Mother! We rejoice in your progress! Alleluia....Praised be The RISEN SAVIOR! WITH DEEP REVERENCE & Profound Gratefulness, and wishing prayerfully all the highest blessings to you in your NAME Day this Friday,-Paula and family, North Riverside, Illinois

Dear Fr. Benedict: Let all of God's little lambs sing alleluia to Him now and forever! I will continue to pray for a miracle of healing for your right elbow and arm so that you can sign as many books as God wants you to write and sign. Praise God for His great mercy to you! Joyfully,-Mary, Wappingers Falls, New York

Dear Fr. Benedict, Our decon preached on Easter Sunday morning and he talked about how hard it is to be suffering during the Easter season. This is the time for us to be filled with joy because our Savior is alive. But those who are still suffering sometimes feel like it's still good Friday. So during the special time I will offer more prayers for you, for joy and hope and peace. On suday for Divine Mercy I will pray for you and your needs. God is blessing you even now. I look forward to the day that I can meet you. -Annette, Columbia Heights, Minnasota

I pray and wish the very best for you, in every way I can think of. Bless you forever in Christ.-CR, St Petersburg, Florida

Dear Fr. Benedict: What can I say that hasn't been said by so many in so many different ways..about how deeply your life has touched us..way down inside our hearts..and how selfish i felt i was and still am..praying please God don't take him not yet..let him stay..with us ..for a little while longer..when you were so sick..we need you so desperately..to teach us about Him..and His way..even from your bed of suffering..like so many, i pray daily, pop in to visit you on the website daily...and love your New York accent and they way you talk and teach..it cuts through all the malarkey we're so used to...Keep on, Fr. Ben..I know it's just a matter of time till everything is working good again..bone and muscle wise that is..and thank you for our Easter message and it brought tears to my eyes..i just look at u and start blubbering like Niagara Fall..that you were offering your Mass for me and my intentions...God is so very good and so visible in You..sincerely,Elizabeth, New Waterford, NS, CANADA

Dear Father, Several of the Sisters viewed the video of your Easter message, and plan to take it to heart. Know you continue to be in our prayers. Alleluia, & a blessed Eastertide.-Sacramentine Nuns, Scarsdale, New York

There is great hope in the promises of Christ: "I will not leave you comforless". As if you didn't know!-Bob Bellevue, Iowa

JMJ. Father, I thank Our Blessed Lord and Mother Mary that we still have you. I'm 71 yrs.old and I still learn from you about Holy Mother Church on EWTN. Love and prayers.-Maggie, Fredonia, Kansas

Send your greetings to Fr. Benedict

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