Father Groeschel speaks last October during EWTN's Family Celebration at Northern Illinois University. (CNS)
Father Benedict Groeschel, whose whole life has been spent preaching the Gospel, suffered a minor stroke in mid-March, leaving him with some speech difficulties.
Father Benedict made the news public on his regular Sunday evening talk show March 29 on the Eternal Word Television Network, “Sunday Night Live With Father Benedict Groeschel.”
Appearing before a live audience, the 75-year-old Franciscan Friar of the Renewal noted that he had missed the show the previous Sunday because he had suffered a stroke overnight March 20-21. Another member of his community, Father Andrew Apostoli, also well-known to EWTN viewers, substituted for him.
Father Benedict’s speech was obviously impaired as he revealed the news, and he misspoke Father Andrew’s name as Father Augustine.
He also confused a recent story in the news when he said that the University of Notre Dame was receiving an award from President Obama.
But Father Benedict said that his speech difficulties improve as he continues to talk, and, in fact, by the time the one-hour program was over, he was speaking much more normally. He even poked fun at himself for getting Father Andrew’s name wrong: “I’ll never live that down.”
His guest on the program was author Immaculée Ilibagiza, whose book Left to Tell described her experience during the mid-1990s tribal conflict in Rwanda that left 800,000 people dead. Although the subject of the interview was her new book, Our Lady of Kibeho, and the Vatican’s approval of the apparition, Father Benedict and callers to the program also discussed Ilibagiza’s survival of the atrocities in Rwanda and the role her faith played in it.
As if to drive home the need for faith and hope during such times, Father Benedict, near the end of the program, repeated the news that he had suffered a stroke. He said he decided to go ahead with his program so that viewers who may be suffering in some way won’t give up.
Father Groeschel also announced that he was beginning a new series on the network.
— John Burger
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God Bless you Father, you are such an inspiration and I have listened to you for years,We need more Priests like you! Thank you for all you have done to help and inspire so many.
God bless you Father,you give us inspirations and it always makes me feel that a sinner like me, is not hopeless when it comes to God’s love. I do feel that there is still hope for me. I do hope you will feel better soon, because we still need you.God bless you Father.
Father Benedict
For years, I have seen you on EWTN television, always wondering if it really was you! The Father Benedict I served as an alter boy for at the Children’s Village in 1971! It was you, and Brother Timothy! OMG, I am in such shock that you have been so famous all this time, so close, and I remember you so well from when I was in that dreadful place. I was your alter boy! I remember serving the Communion so well. You and Bro. Tim helped set me on the path of righteousness and devotion that I have kept my entire life. Please please respond to me, even a couple words. I don’t expect you to remember me, but you were such a strong presence and memory for me. Do you remember the Childrens Village, Dobbs Ferry, 1971-72? My name is Kyle Rothgeb. May G-d continue to bless you!
I am wondering by whose authority the church readings for Palm Sunday has been changed. The reading states that the two on the cross with Jesus were revolutionaries and not thieves as we have known. Did not one of the thieves ask Jesus for pardon? And has been described as the good thief?
jm
Father Groeschel, your intelligence combined with a big heart makes you such a great inspiration each and every time I am fortunate to view you on EWTN. I am a quardripegic due to an accident Sept. (friday 13th), 1985. Lost my lawsuit and then divorced my wife, whch made me elligible for State paid college. I graduated in 2000 from UCI with a Bachelors and started a Masters, but a year into it an infection caused my admittance into a nursing home. After one year of horribe care and seizures my left hand was amputated along with 2/3rds of the right. When Mother Teresa passed the same week as Princess Di I said Heaven got a Pricess and the queen(Mother Teresa). Mother Teesa gave me the abiity to release any and all animosity towards all those who deserve judgement, I owe her and you father for all that insight and tools to live by. Yet I never met either of you, my heart full when I can hear your talks.
God Bless you Father!
Just discovered Fr Groeschel on Premier Radio in the UK. It’s great to listen to man who thinks and yet is also spiritual, and a supernaturalist (as CS Lewis puts it). I much appreciate your teaching directed to all people of faith not just Catholics. We Christians need to learn to live and grow and be light together.
Thank you Father.
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