About Benedict Groeschel
Benedict Joseph Groeschel, C.F.R. (July 23, 1933 – October 3, 2014) was an American Franciscan friar, Catholic priest, retreat master, author, psychologist, activist, and television host. He hosted the television talk program Sunday Night Prime (originally Sunday Night Live) on the Eternal Word Television Network, as well as several serial religious specials. Originally a Capuchin friar, Groeschel cofounded the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (or CFRs), intended as a reform branch for the Capuchin charism stressing a renewed emphasis on poverty, service to the poor, Eucharistic and Marian devotion, and fidelity to Catholic doctrine. Groeschel served as lifelong Chairman of the Good Counsel homes for homeless pregnant women and their babies, which he described as a "work of God," cofounding these with Christopher Bell. This maternity home system offered an "open intake" model, i.e. one which turns no woman away for any reason whatever. Groeschel founded the Office for Spiritual Development of the Archdiocese of New York, as well as acting as Archdiocesan liaison for St. Teresa of Calcutta's Missionaries of Charity during Mother Teresa's lifetime. At the invitation of New York's Cardinal Terence Cooke, Groeschel acted as Associate Director of the Trinity Retreat House for clergy and executive director of St. Francis House. Groeschel served as professor of Pastoral Psychology at St. Joseph's Seminary in New York, as adjunct professor at the Institute for Psychological Sciences in Arlington, Virginia, and as an advisor for St. Michael's Institute in Manhattan headed by Dr. Philip Mango. Among Groeschel's close friends were St. Teresa of Calcutta, Mother Angelica, Christopher and Joan Bell, Dr. Philip Mango, Dr. Paul Vitz, and Dr. Alice von Hildebrand. Some recipients of the "Father Benedict Groeschel Award" awarded by Good Counsel each year have included, but are not limited to: Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan; Laura Ingraham; Michael Knowles; Larry Kudlow; Jeanne Mancini; Rev. Gerald Murray; Rev. George Rutler; William Simon, Jr. and Peter Simon.
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