Dear friends of Fr. Benedict,

Today is Wednesday, January 28. Here is the latest update on Fr. Benedict.

Today Fr. Benedict spent much of the day resting. He continues to look well; yet is anxious to get home. Tomorrow Fr. Sylvester and Br. Peter will be heading back to Yonkers and Fr. Luke Mary and Br. Shawn Conrad will be spending a week at Fr. Benedict's side. Please continue to pray. Here are a few e-mail's which we will be sharing with Fr. Benedict tomorrow. God bless you!

"Dear Father Benedict, The boys and I can now read the daily updates with a sigh of relief for, even though we know there is a long road to recovery, it seems apparent that the Lord in his infinite wisdom has heard the prayers echoed round the world to allow us the privilege of having you remain with us to guide us in the steps of your father, Francis, toward our heavenly goal. The boys are all still offering daily sacrifices toward your comfort. We are making a scrap book of the updates etc. and little notes as they occur which will at a later date be given to June to give to you. All our love and continued prayers from Nyack. God bless you and know that you are every moment in my prayers. Love and Blessings." - A.M. and her boys, Upper Nyack, NY

"I am so happy Fr. Benedict is getting better by the day. Thanks to the doctors for their excellent work. I pray that Our Mother of Perpetual Help, Comforter of the Afflicted will always be with Fr. Benedict. Amen. I wish you speedy recovery to good health." - C.E., Lagos, Nigeria

"Hi Father Benedict, I'm Evan. We watch you on EWTN and we prayed for you with the people on EWTN. I'm praying for you and my brothers and sister and mom and dad are too. I hope you feel better soon. I'm 8 years old - I'll be 9 soon. I love you. Love, Evan 6 years old, Cameron 6 years old, Haley 5 years old, Fulton 3 years old, Sebastian 1 year old, and Heidi and JP." - Evan, Mishawaka, IN

"One of Father Glenn's messages reporting on you, Father Benedict, encouraged us to reach out to someone poor and needy. I work in downtown Washington, DC. This spurred me to grab a dollar and go out on a frigid, windy day to find a homeless person and give it to him on your behalf. The cold streets were virtually deserted. I walked about three blocks and then saw some blankets and plastic sitting on a sidewalk bench. I went up, peeked in, and spoke to the person. It was a woman. I tried to give her the dollar, but she would not take it. I told her I had a prayer card, too. She said, 'I do pray.' I offered the prayer card. When she reached to take it, I said 'You may as well take the dollar, too.' She pushed it all back. I said 'Okay. Just the prayer card. Here.' She took it, the prayer of St. Francis. I walked away, tears in my eyes at God's mercy in sending me to someone who refused money but was eager to pray. Thank you, Father Benedict. My prayers are with you." - M.R., Springfield, VA

"I have been going to your website every day for an update, and when I first saw the short video, my heart swelled with love and admiration for the way you have BEEN JESUS for all of us. I know we are all called to do the same and you are such an inspiration for me to extend the best of my love to all that I come in contact with. I pray that God's healing power will bring you to a full recovery very very soon. I cannot keep from wanting you to remain with us for a long time because we have so much to learn from you." - N.D., Lewisville, NC

"Dear Father Benedict, I was so sorry to hear about your accident. I am a 48-year-old Canadian who has been living as a Tibetan Buddhist nun for the last five years; but "ironically" during a recent pilgrimage to Bodh Gaya India had an encounter with Jesus Christ in the sweetness of the Christian people doing work with the poor and sick there. I vowed on my return to Canada I would answer a very strong call to come home to Jesus and to seek guidance to enter the Catholic communion. Your book on advent and the incarnation was where I started this journey toward reconciliation with Jesus. Bitterness and anger had forced me away from the church and yet the sweetness and witness of God's love in India (and in your book) broke my hard heart and sent me home to Jesus. Thank you so much for your book and talks on EWTN. You have been such a blessing to me on my healing journey. I pray for your swift recovery." - P.B., Cambridge, Ontario, Canada

"G'day Fr. Benedict, I've been following your progress and keeping you in my prayers. Heaps of people here in Australia are praying for you also - I don't think a day goes by without someone asking me if I've heard about your accident and if I know how you are doing. I'm certainly glad to see that it seems that your mission in this life is not over yet. We are all praying for your full recovery and I will especially remember you at the altar. God bless you." - Fr. W.E., Blacktown, NSW, Australia

"Dear Father, Oh how I pray for your recovery. I am 70 too and if I could take your pain and suffering I would so gladly do so. You have taught me so much. I pray for you each morning at Mass and at the 7 pm Mass on EWTN and tuck you in my nightly Rosary. If I lived near, I would come and be your private nurse." - M.G., Reynoldsburg, OH

Fr. Glenn Sudano, C.F.R.
Community Servant (superior)
Franciscan Friars of the Renewal