Fr. Groeschel, Hit by Car, Still in Critical Condition:
Prayers for Recovery Come From Larchmont & Worldwide

by Cathy Hickey

Fr. Benedict from Franciscan Friars

(January 22, 2004) Neighbors and friends of all denominations are storming heaven in prayer for the recovery of Friar Benedict J.Groeschel, one of the founders of the Franciscans Friars of the Renewal and a Larchmont mainstay for more than 25 years. On Sunday, January 11, Fr. Benedict was struck by a car at the Orlando Airport in Florida, and the 70 year-old priest has been hospitalized in critical condition ever since. He had just arrived on the way to lead a conference in Florida and was crossing the street behind a parked bus, when he was hit.

Fr. Benedict’s injuries are extensive. While still on the critical list and heavily sedated, his condition has improved sufficiently for doctors to operate on a broken leg. The doctors are cautiously optimistic, according to updates from the Franciscan Friar’s website that also is showing clips from Fr. Benedict's talks.

While Fr. Benedict’s main address is Trinity Retreat, right next to Red Bridge, (and his favorite counseling venue is Manor Park), he spends a lot of time on the road leading conferences and retreats for priests and lay people all over the world. A regular on cable television, he is known for being holy, funny and extremely down to earth. People are always coming up to him in airports; they think they know him and consider him a friend, he has said.

He is also a fixture in the South Bronx, where the Community of Franciscan Friars is based. As well as fielding calls from around the world, Trinity Retreat has been besieged by calls from families in the South Bronx who have been his friends for three generations. “Please God don’t take him. We love and need his guidance so much,” is a constant prayer.

For more than 25 years, parishioners at Sts John and Paul Church, St. Augustine’s, Holy Trinity in Mamaroneck, and friends from all over Westchester have assisted Fr. Benedict by providing Christmas presents for children from poor families who would otherwise go without. The Food Bank of Sts. John and Paul also supplies hundreds of turkeys at Thanksgiving and food baskets at Christmas and Easter for his families.

Other families, many from the French American School and local churches, help Fr. Benedict with monthly meals for the men at the shelter run by the friars. According to Fr. Benedict, the facility is known as the “Hilton of the Shelters” because of the high quality of the meals.

“You wouldn’t believe how much e-mail we are receiving!” said Fr. Glenn Sudano, the superior of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. The virtual outpouring of affection…my God. The power of one holy life! “

Cathy Hickey has lived in Larchmont for over 40 years.

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