UPDATE: EWTN will air domestically a special Sunday Night Prime program — A Tribute to Father Benedict Joseph Groeschel, CFR —  on Sunday, Oct. 12, at 8:00 pm Eastern, repeated on Monday, Oct. 13, at 2:00 am and 9:00 am Eastern.

Sitting down with host Father Andrew Apostoli to honor the holy life and charitable ministry lived out by the beloved Father Groeschel with be members of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal Father Glenn Sudano and Brother Shawn Conrad O’Conner, and Sister Lucille Cutrone, community servant of the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal.

Specific details for Father Benedict Groeschel’s two-day wake and funeral Mass are now in place.

The Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, which he founded, have shaped the remembrance into a loving honor for a priest so loved and known by the poor and to others.

The first day’s wake will be on Wednesday, Oct. 8, at St. Adalbert’s Church. The wake will be held 12-9 pm at this former Polish parish at 420 E. 156th St. in Bronx, N.Y.

St. Adalbert’s is significant because it’s next to and connected with St. Crispin’s Friary, the place where the community of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal was founded 27 years ago with the permission of Cardinal John O’Connor.

“So many of the poor families and neighbors that Father Benedict served are looking for an opportunity to visit and honor Father and to pray for him,” Brother Angelus Montgomery explained.

Adalbert’s is the perfect place, since the community was founded here to serve the poor, and many of those served cannot get to the wake and funeral Mass, which will be held in New Jersey.

At the same time, many priests in New York who were taught by Father Groeschel while he was at Dunwoodie Seminary for over 40 years “will have this special opportunity in case they can’t make it to New Jersey,” Brother Montgomery said.

On Thursday, Oct. 9, another wake will take place at the Cathedral-Basilica of the Sacred Heart (89 Ridge St.) in Newark, N.J., from 4-7 pm. A prayer vigil follows from 7-9 pm, beginning with public recitation of the Rosary, followed by several eulogies. Father Robert (Bob) Lombardo, a founding member of the community, will give the homily.

“Father Benedict is a New Jersey boy,” Brother Angelus said, alluding to the fittingness of the New Jersey cathedral.

Unplanned, there appear to be other providential connections for having a wake and the funeral here.

Father Groeschel died on the First Friday of the month, a day dedicated to the Sacred Heart. On that day, he was brought a relic of Sister Miriam Teresa Demjanovich, with which he blessed himself. The next day, she was beatified as Blessed Miriam Teresa at the Cathedral-Basilica of the Sacred Heart.

As the fifth largest in the nation, the basilica will surely be packed for the funeral Mass on Friday, Oct. 10, at 11am.

Auxiliary Bishop John O'Hara of the New York Archdiocese will be the main celebrant. Father Andrew Apostoli, one of the original founding members of the community, will be the homilist.

“Bishop O’Hara has a long history and friendship with Father Benedict,” said Brother Angelus. “He is deeply moved to have the opportunity to celebrate the Mass.”

Bishop O’Hara will also be the official representative from the New York Archdiocese, since Cardinal Timothy Dolan is currently attending the synod in Rome.

Because Father Apostoli is not only one of the original founders, but “a dear friend; it is only fitting he would preach,” said Brother Angelus.

Newark Archbishop John Joseph Myers will do the Commendation.

The other founders of this Franciscan community will take turns leading the other services to honor Father Groeschel. For example, Father Bob Lombardi will preach at the vigil on Thursday night, and Father Glenn Sudano will preside at the private burial at the community’s Most Blessed Sacrament Friary, also in Newark.

While there was no official list of confirmed names of those planning to be at the Mass of Christian burial, several bishops and archbishops and scores of priests are trying to make arrangements to attend. Religious communities will be there too, beginning with the Franciscan Sisters of the Renewal and including the Missionaries of Charity and Sisters of Life.

EWTN's coverage of the Prayer Vigil for Father Groeschel will start at 6:45 pm Eastern on Thursday, Oct. 9  The coverage of the Mass of Christian Burial for Father Benedict Joseph Groeschel will start at 10:45 am Eastern on Friday, Oct. 10.  

Because Father Groeschel was such a recognizable person, not only nationally but internationally, there will be countless millions sure to be part of these historic ceremonies and Masses, thanks to EWTN. Be among them to pray for Father Benedict Groeschel. May he rest in peace.