Saturday, July 23 would have marked Good Counsel co-founder Father Benedict Groeschel's 83rd birthday and more than 100 lay and religious came out to Most Blessed Sacrament Friary in Newark, New Jersey to celebrate a memorial Mass and remember the notable author, teacher, preacher, and Franciscan.

"The readings for today are very appropriate," said Father Glen Sudano, CFR, who was the homilist at Mass and who also delivered a one hour reflection on Father Benedict at the Friary.

"Father Benedict, like Jeremiah, told the people to reform and that the injustices done to the widow, the orphan, and those who shed innocent blood, need to stop.  Father Benedict was a prophet who spoke clearly, concretely, and always charitably, speaking not so much about people, but about problems, even if those problems were caused by people.  He always kept the problem in the center of his discussion," Father Glen stated.

After the Mass, a lunch was served inside the Franciscan Friary and a large birthday cake was served.  "It looks delicious!" said Christopher Bell, Good Counsel's President who co-founded Good Counsel with Father Benedict back in 1985.

Father Benedict's remains are buried in a crypt underneath the courtyard of the Friary and attendees were able to walk down and pray near his burial site.

Father Glen spoke about three sayings Father Benedict often used.  When asked how he was doing, Father Benedict would reply, "fighting on!"  "Take the next good step," was the answer when asked how he was doing.  And finally, a favorite quote from his father, "I can't wait to hell to get to Heaven!

You can listen to Father Glen's homily here...

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