Father Benedict J. Groeschel

Beloved Franciscan priest, Father Benedict Groeschel was born Peter Groeschel in Jersey City, New Jersey on July 23, 1933. He was the oldest of six children of parents Marjule and Edward.

Peter Groeschel attended grade school at St. Aloysius in Caldwell, New Jersey and high school at Immaculate Conception Seminary in Garrison, New York. He entered the Capuchin Order on July 6, 1951. After a year of Novitiate he was given the name Benedict Joseph on September 1, 1952. On June 20, 1959, at the age of 26, he was ordained a priest.

One of Father Benedict's first assignments was chaplain at the Children's Village home for emotionally disturbed youth in Dobbs Ferry, New York where he would serve for 14 years. The results of his counseling, teaching prowess and the manner in which he treated his subjects grabbed the notice of many, including Cardinal Terence Cooke, then Archbishop of New York. Cardinal Cooke asked Father Benedict to initiate and direct a program for spiritual development for the Archdiocese, a position he still holds today. He also began a program for troubled priests at Trinity Retreat Center in Larchmont, New York, where he continues to serve as director.

As a Capuchin priest he obtained a Masters Degree in Counseling from Iona College in 1964 and a Doctorate in Psychology from Columbia University in 1971. In 1974, Father Benedict was named Provincial Difintor of the Province, as well as serving as delegate to the general chapter of the Capuchins.

In a bold move during 1987, Father Benedict and seven other Capuchins left the order and began a new religious community called The Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, dedicated to an authentic following of Jesus Christ, following in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi. In almost 20 years the community has grown to over 100 Friars and Sisters and serves in New York City, London and Comayagua, Honduras.

Father Benedict has been spiritual director to many, religious and lay individuals. As spiritual director to Christopher Bell, the two co-founded in 1985 Good Counsel Homes for homeless pregnant women and children. Father Benedict continues as chairman of Good Counsel's board of directors today and has seen the agency grow from one home to five, with a sixth due to open soon in Hoboken, New Jersey.

Father Benedict is the author of more than 30 books and has recorded more than 100 audio and video series, some of which have been turned into television programs for the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN). Father Benedict currently hosts a weekly EWTN television show, "Sunday Night Live with Father Benedict Groeschel" that airs 7 p.m. each Sunday.

In January 2004 Father Benedict was involved in a critical accident when he was struck by a car outside of the Orlando International Airport in Florida. He remained in Intensive Care for several months and had multiple operations for fractures of his leg and arm, as well as being treated for a Heart Attack.

Many consider his recovery to full-time ministry miraculous. By the end of 2004 Father Benedict was back out speaking and even attended a Good Counsel reception where he was honored.

Today he remains a well sought after teacher, preacher, retreat leader, author and spiritual director.