Speaker Details

Fr. Benedict Groeschel, CFR

Fr. Benedict J. Groeschel, CFR, is the Director of the Office for Spiritual Development of the Archdiocese of New York. He founded and is on the staff of Trinity Retreat, a center for prayer and study for the clergy. John Cardinal O’Connor appointed him promoter of the cause of Canonization of the Servant of God Terence Cardinal Cooke in 1984.

Previously Father Benedict was chaplain of the Children’s Village in Dobbs Ferry, New York, for fourteen years.

Father Benedict obtained his doctorate in psychology from Columbia University in 1971 and is professor of pastoral psychology at St. Joseph’s Seminary of the Archdiocese of New York and a visiting professor at the Institute for Psychological Sciences, Arlington, Va. He has taught at Fordham University, Iona College, and Maryknoll Seminary. He is also chairman of the Good Counsel Homes and the St. Francis House, which provide residence and programs for the homeless young mothers and homeless youth.

In May 1987, along with eight other friars, Fr. Benedict formed the community of Franciscan Friars of the Renewal under the patronage of Cardinal O’Connor. This community, which now has over 140 friars and sisters, follows the Capuchin Tradition and is dedicated to preaching reform and providing care for the homeless in the South Bronx, Harlem, Newark, Fort Worth, London, Ireland, and Honduras.

Father Benedict has published a number of books and tapes on spirituality and pastoral counseling and is familiar to television audiences. He is still recovering from a serious accident in 2004.

His most recent books are: Question & Answers About Your Journey To God(Our Sunday Visitor 2007) Praying With The Creed -Mediations from the Oratory (Our Sunday Visitor 2007)The Virtue Driven Life (Our Sunday Visitor, 2006) A Drama of Reform (Ignatius Press, 2005) Why Do We Believe (Our Sunday Visitor, 2005) When Did We See You Lord (Our Sunday Visitor, 2005).

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