Benedict Groeschel, recovering from stroke, may really slow down this time
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- April
- 6
Also on the health front:
I spoke earlier today to Father Benedict Groeschel, the beloved Catholic writer/speaker/EWTN host who lives at Trinity Retreat in Larchmont. He suffered a stroke in mid-March and has had some speech difficulties since then.
He sounded pretty good, mostly like himself, speaking quickly and making jokes. He had a little trouble coming up with certain words, but had no trouble getting his points across.
“I’m struggling on,” he told me. “I have a little trouble with my speech, but I’m struggling on.”
Groeschel is almost 77 and has continued to work at a crazy pace since he was hit by a car and nearly killed in 2004.
After the accident, he told me that he would really slow down. He has curtailed his retreat-giving travels, but has remained on the road quite often.
Now, he sounds like he’s ready to stay put and work less.
“I’d rather walk out than be carried out,” he said.
Groeschel said that even if he cuts certain things out of his schedule, he’ll continue to teach at St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers, where he has been on the faculty for nearly 50 years.
This entry was posted
on Monday, April 6th, 2009 at 11:19 am by Gary Stern.
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Category: EWTN, Father Benedict Groeschel, St. Joseph's Seminary, Stroke, Trinity Retreat
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The world of religion, we don't have to tell you, is vast. The purpose of this blog is for Stern to note, flag and comment on some of the more interesting religious developments on the scene – weighty and quirky, somber and laughable, far away and just down the road. He won't interpret Scripture, take sides in conflicts or judge anyone. But he will take advantage of the journalist's license to observe.
Thank you for the news on Fr. Groeschel. It is good to know he is doing well.
Fr. Groeschel, You have been a good and faithful servant. Thank you for all the good stories, good theology and blessings we have received over the years from you. You have been faithful coming into our living rooms – how many years? we think of you as our friend and we continue to pray that you will be used by the Lord.
Thank you that we knew you spoke the truth and we could trust you.
May God hold you in the palm of His Hand.
Janice Brown. Palm Desert, CA
God Bless you Fr. Groeshell, With the world especially in America defining our Catholic Faith and catholics in general, It is so comforting to have witnesses like you Father, and many of the priests on EWTN, who speak of the Faith with truth and conviction.
May God Bless us with Priests and Bishops who have the courage to profess the truths of the Catholic Church.
God Bless you and Keep you. We love you.
Lucy Wheeler,
Mt. Airy Maryland
father groeschel…..we love you! also…fyi…everybody! google “the 13th day the film” and watch the trailer. what a beautiful and powerful catholic movie this is!
I watch his Sunday Night Live show that is aired every week. He has improved greatly since the mini stroke and only stumbles verbally, very few times during the show. At 77 he probably needs to slow down a little, but I’m sure he will never give it all up, he is too much of a teacher and preacher for that. Thank God for his wonderful insights.
Fr. Benedict,
What a wonderful teacher and friar you are… so engaging with the truth… so human and real… yet holy in a solid sort of way… I withold too much praise in the interest of prudence and relevant humility agendas…. please pray for me and my family in great need of prayer… I feel in eternity we will have a few conversations.
Your Friend In Him,
Richard W.
I am so sorry to hear this sad news about our friend in Christ Father Benedict Groeschell for whom we prayed this morning during the Living Rosary before Mass.
Father, we love you so, and pray for you every day! The Lord in is His goodness just has to keep you with us, we need your inspiration! You seem so much better these last few weeks, we pray God to continue your good health.
God bless you!
Alice & Bob Seidel
Father Benedict,
My prayers…my thoughts…my heart are with you right now! May Jesus wrap His ever-loving arms around you (as apparently He always has!) and make you stronger than ever!
God Bless!
Julie Axe
Father Groeschel, You are an amazing example and remind me of Pope John Paul who refused to let illness stop him from appearing. Like him you teach us that God is with us and working in us no matter what.
I watch Sunday Night Live always and you are doing great and give such courage to all with any health challenge.
I also love your series They Could Be Saints! God bless you, Jesus heal you, and may Mary place her mantle of protection around you and intercede that you be given back full speech!
thank you father groeschel, when I commuted one hour and forty five minutes each way to work to support my large family I made excellent use of the time by listening to your tapes. I actually published a book, Sons of Thunder, a wake up call to Catholics and Christians to battle the culture of death. Its on amazon. thanks again.
I know the recent loss of a beloved good friend priest from the Bronx on March 13th may have been difficult for him, as it was for all of us that knew him. Thank you Fr. Groeschel for having him on your program last year on April 13th. We pray for your restful recovery.
I just want Father Groeschel to know that I have been watching him for years on EWTN and I pray for his full recovery. He is very special and quite brilliant and I know that he has touched many hearts and minds.
I met Father Groschel at La Salette Shrine in Attleboro, MA several years ago and purchased his book ‘The Virtue Driven Life’ and ‘The Cross at Ground Zero’. He is such a blessing to our Church.
May he live many more years teaching Christianity with his very being.
God Bless you and keep you Father Groeschel Always
I know how much this means to you Father Groeschel…..and everyone needs to know about it. Everyone please google….”the 13th day the film”. Watch the very short trailer….Father Groeschel….it is all you would hope it to be! Father…this Catholic movie really is so powerful. Thanks for everything…..even this movie info. xo and peace.
Always include the priests in prayers. Some we know & others we hear of their missions & trials. Our love and best wishes for Fr. Groeschel in recovery.
We are so disappointed here in N. VA. but understanding, in view of Father’s health. For quite some time,
we’ve been anticipating Fr.’s visit to our parish this Thursday evening, but just found out that he had to cancel.
The Church was packed the last time he came, and we expected no less this time, drawing from all over the area. He’s like your favorite (priest) uncle coming to visit, full of wonderful stories and wisdom … giving us a real slice of life, but always coming back to the Real Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist and devotion to the Blessed Mother. Thank you, Father, for your past visits, we hope we can see you again soon, sometime, whenever you’re up for it. In JMJ, Steve
O Most Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary, pray for us, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
hello, I have just written last month to EWTN to inquire of Fr. Benedict concerning my situation with the church which still has yet to be settled impartially. I didn’t know he had a stroke. No wonder I have not been answered yet. I hope he gets well soon. Otherwise, how will I get that much needed help that i am seeking that I can trust nobody in my own area for?
Fr. Groeschel your brothers were at the Orlando Regional Hospital in January 2004 staying with you in your recovery. At that time my son, Gary, was also in there froma car accident. He had been in a coma for 3 weeks when your brothers asked if they might bless him with some items that belonged to Mother Thersa. Of course, I agreed and the day after he was blessed he awakened from his coma. I am so thankful for this, but my som is not. He has a Brain Injury and problems with his speech and walking and he blames me for letting him live. He has turned to God, but unfortunately believes that God will do everything for him and he is to no way help himself out. Maybe a few words from the brothers or Fr would help.