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PAROQUIA – Nssa Senhora do ROSÁRIO

Residência Nssa. Sra. de Fátima                              16 July, 2026              LVI:2

Trav. Carlos Pontes, 171                             

62.900-000 Russas, Ceará                                                   http://www.egfbenya.com      

BRASIL                                  e-mail: [email protected]           [email protected]

Dear Benefactors, Family, Collaborators, Friends and Colleagues:

In each life, in every year of that life unique dates mark a season when specific events as definite dynamics began their run. The season is certain for each of us and the specificity seems to increase as we grow older. It usually holds a personal importance for each of us. Those dates reflect a personal chronicle whose meaning is unique but they are usually of precious little interest beyond us, our families and communities.

People in the married vocation can begin with their personal birth date into this world, followed by the date of their marriage, the dates of births of their children and then grandchildren and perhaps great-grandchildren. All are crucial to each married vocation.

Those of us in Holy Orders and/or Monastic or Religious Life have different sequences of events. Yet our conception into life and birth into this world, as with the vocation of Marriage, are the beginning. These are not to be taken lightly as threats against life (threats of profane and juridical origin) are continually present.

Three main events in my life (not necessarily in chronological order) are those of my birth date, the date of my entry into religious life and date of ordination to the priesthood (Holy Orders). To these one could add various dates of academic progress: Secondary or High school diploma and university degrees, but the first three constitute a dynamic that marks my life. I would not be where I am now without these three events. I partook of them all and prepared for two of them but could not practice for them.

The annual celebration of these three events within a 6 week period from mid -August to mid-September allows an agreeable short span of attention with little or no exaltation. They are a chronological of facts (a “Troika” of dates) and not necessarily divine signs.

Thus this troika approaches: 52 years of religious life (14 August), 42 years in Holy Orders (8 September) and 80 years navigating this world (18 September). A final date is approaching but is as yet known only to Almighty God, my Birth into Eternity. Over this also I have precious little control.

I would be remiss if I did not recognize herein the Birth into Eternity of my younger brother Stephen John Vincent Benya on 19 March of this year. Somewhat sudden, it was not entirely surprising. He suffered from a coronary condition yet was well prepared for that passage. Sobering in its occurrence, that date serves as a solid reminder that we are not completely “retired” from service or ministries until God Calls. I pray that the Call for all of us be solid, clear and blessed.

Gratefully in the Love of Jesus Christ, I remain

            Pe. Ed Benya, S.J.

PAROQUIA – Nssa Senhora do ROSÁRIO

Residência Nssa. Sra. de Fátima                              July, 2026                   LVI:1

Trav. Carlos Pontes, 171                             

62.900-000 Russas, Ceará                                                   http://www.egfbenya.com      

BRASIL                                  e-mail: [email protected]           [email protected]

Dear Family, Collaborators, Benefactors, Friends and Colleagues,

The physical premises were exact, clear and attractive: a garden whose bucolic setting had welcomed peaceful and charitable prayer, meditation and discernment. Consultation was minimal; the Savior with the Father. However an intruder was also present. That Intruder had planned well the havoc and failure he required for his entire venture; the malignant One, the Tempter was also there. That bucolic setting now hosted a depth of temptation and violence that were of incalculable intensity. The essence of Malignance against the essence of Benevolence now met. There could be neither draw nor tie. Complete victory for one or the other was the only possibility.

This battle had actually been set through spiritual betrayal millennia prior to this encounter. That betrayal had caused our human fall and thus necessitated A Savior of the same nature as those who had fallen. However as those who had fallen were no match for the Tempter, a redeemer of matching prowess was necessary for Salvation. That Redeemer arrived in the Fullness of Time some 33 years prior to this encounter.

Those 33 years were of intensive preparation by the Savior. They now centered on between 18 or 30 hours of spiritual combat; brutal and violent from the malignant one, noble and generous from the Savior: beginning in that garden. The Savior questioned the entire dynamic. Might another method or “CUP” be possible? NO! This was the only possibility. Violent and intensive plodding had begun. In steps ever more savage the Malignant one pressed to impede this Salvific dynamic. In steps in the Way of the Cross, ever more noble the Savior proceeded to The One and only virtuous end.

At its most intensive violence the temptation to despair arises; “Father, Hast Though forsaken me?”, a question of temptation to despair. A solid affirmation of Union within the Trinity answers this question and the Son, the Savior emerges with victory.

The Victory is Complete and ABSOLUTE, nothing cordial or fancy; unknown to the vast majority of humanity at that time. The malignant One does NOT take it well and the result must be completely hidden. In Profane terms to some degree it still is.

Sacramentally it becomes known ever so slowly. Salvation had been won! We are Redeemed! The Work is complete. To this day it remains a sobering, mysterious Truth.

We celebrate it as the “Easter Triduum!” within the Lenten-Pascal Season, an annual commemoration whose dynamics extend well beyond Christianity. I invite you, your families and communities to join us in spirit for these celebrations. Wishing you:

 “A Happy and Holy Lenten, Pascal-Easter Season!”

Gratefully in the Love of the Risen Jesus Christ, I remain

            Pe. Ed Benya, S.J.

PAROQUIA – Nssa Senhora do ROSÁRIO

Residência Nssa. Sra. de Fátima                              17 November, 2025               LV:3

Trav. Carlos Pontes, 171                             

62.900-000 Russas, Ceará                                                    http://www.egfbenya.com    

BRASIL                                  e-mail: [email protected]          [email protected]

Dear Family, Colleagues, Collaborators, Benefactors and Friends:

Plain and simple in presence, He came with a gift! As addressed previously herein (8 November, 2018; XLVIII: 3), a true and honest gift involves risk on the part of the giver. Yet His gift was more than risk, it was complete Oblation of Himself; HE as THE Gift.

That Gift was, and is our Redemption, a need that even today, few of us fully appreciate. More than presentation it was surrender to the specifics of that need with a rigorous preparation that challenges all who would accept Redemption and live it through Salvation.

Thus He arrived threatened but secure; subtle, quiet with little public notice. It had to be as such, because the malignance that He faced also threatened Him. By definition, He became one of us and He had to face the same threats as we face knowing full well that He was a special target of the Malignant One, the Satanic power.

He had precious little time to realize the entire venture. Time was of the essence, nothing to be wasted. Yet time had to run its course. The hidden years began their run.

Challenge and Clarity were His way of proceeding. He clearly challenged others to Recognize, Receive, Surrender and Renounce one`s Self. The virgin who was invited to be his mother was challenged to renounce her betrothal to her fiancée, her intended husband. She did so. Her fiancée was challenged to become His foster father (the foster father of this mysterious child). He did so. Challenge and Clarity were always his dynamics beginning with the family that saw Him grow to maturity (Luke 2:48-52) and then embracing all whom He calls.

However that challenge and clarity were easily taken as Threat to one`s self rather than Surrender of one`s self. Beginning in His infancy that threat was present. He had a vocation! He had a mission! He had a goal!

The Yuletide season celebrates His arrival each year. I invite you, along with your families and communities to join us in spirit for these celebrations as I wish you a:

Happy Hanukkah-Yuletide-Christmas season and Blessed New Year of 2026!

in the Love of the “ONE”, Jesus Christ

            Pe. Ed Benya, S.J.

PAROQUIA – Nssa Senhora do ROSÁRIO

Residência Nssa. Sra. de Fátima                              4 August, 2025                       LV:2

Trav. Carlos Pontes, 171                             

62.900-000 Russas, Ceará                                                    http://www.egfbenya.com    

BRASIL                                  e-mail: [email protected]          [email protected]

Dear Friends, Family, Collaborators, Benefactors and Colleagues:

Decades pass as do the centuries! The annual event receives recognition; a step for family, clan and group celebration. The birthday, the reference and the anniversary are dates of commemoration. Our life span has increased from what it was generations past. Our time space for service, labor and ministry has amplified. It was noticeably more limited in past ages. Our intensity of action may have been less, more pacific in the past than it is now.

Time is in constant flux. Demands, questions, problems, challenges emerge, appear, disappear then reappear. Dynamics characterize every scenario of our being. We tend to procure stable, changeless situations; invariable scenarios. However dynamic is the key. Almighty God defines and addresses that dynamic. He allows us to perceive according to our CAPACITIES rather than to our desires and He expands those capacities according to His Will.

Images, private and public arise and emerge. The private images are plethora, generally unique according to each observer. Public images are mysterious: inspired by vice and virtue. The negative images seem easier to comprehend since one recognizes them on a personal level. The benevolent images, especially as perceived by others, can be perplexing. They range from simple toleration up to and including a veneration of one who knows something of his limits. One wonders with what objectivity people use their powers of observation. Perhaps it is more a power of God`s inspiration.

Legitimate suspicions, questions, premonitions are crucial. Personal SURRENDER to the Divine Will is the key. That surrender was difficult for me to learn. The Savior guides! That is easy to say but far more difficult to understand, live and to realize.

Well into my sixth decade of religious life, approaching 41 years of Holy Orders and hoping to begin my 80th year in this world, my personal surrender to the Divine Will looms ever more crucial. Imperfect as it is, that surrender will be judged only by Almighty God when I finally arrive before Him. There is much to regret, but far more to celebrate, to thank the Almighty in gratitude.

As age marks it presence in body and mind, capacities diminish. I am noticeably slower physically, mentally and perhaps spiritually. Yet that Surrender continues to beckon, a dynamic that itself may well be immortal.  

I grasp it. I live it and celebrate it.  I invite you and your families to join in spirit for the celebration of these commemorations. In praise and gratitude

in the Love of the “ONE”, Jesus Christ

            Pe. Ed Benya, S.J.

PAROQUIA – Nssa Senhora do ROSÁRIO

Residência Nssa. Sra. de Fátima                              17 March, 2025                     LV:1

Trav. Carlos Pontes, 171                             

62.900-000 Russas, Ceará                                                    http://www.egfbenya.com    

BRASIL                                  e-mail: [email protected]          [email protected]

Dear Benefactors, Family, Colleagues, Friends and Collaborators,

His arrival was humble, simple, lowly yet quite public. It included Jews and non-Jews. As an infant He was threatened with death. Jesus Christ was born into OBLATION. The major part of his life was hidden, subtle, relatively quiet and quite common; geographically regional.

The last three to six years of his life were intense and highly public. His goal was clear and exact;… our Salvation. He and He alone could realize that Salvation. He had a plan, an agenda. He called to himself disciples, established a hierarchy among them and formed them as ministers, extensions of Himself. Their training, education and formation was brutally intense. Many desisted. One denied Him. One betrayed Him.  Yet a public ministry took form. The last part of that ministry was tumultuous, fraught with misunderstanding, threats, false accusations against Him and constant danger. Born into OBLATION that oblation was becoming ever-more intensive.

The Messiah had been promised for our Redemption and that Redemption was taking form. Few realized it. Few wanted to realize it. The Promise as a hope was comfortable and convenient as a “wait”, maintained alive through the centuries by prophets dedicated to the prophesy. These also were poorly received. As a promise that “wait” presented a certain stability of reference, a solidity. Suddenly the Promise changed, it transformed to Dynamic with the arrival of the Messiah. The “wait” had ended.

If humble simplicity characterized the major part of His early life, intense sobriety was the distinct mark of those last 3 years. A promise was in the process of being kept.

The final 24 hours of that oblation, of His life, defined our Salvation through His Passion. The Dynamic of Redemption succeeded the Promise of the Messiah. That dynamic proceeded in steps as sharpness of intensity multiplied in those last 24 hours.

Temptation to desist, withdraw, escape and hide were continuous. The temptation in the Garden of Gethsemane is the best known. Temptation continued as indicated by the three falls as He carried the cross. Temptation through the thief crucified at his left (to save Himself and those crucified with Him iff He is the messiah). At the end a temptation to despair arose as He asked if the Father has forsaken Him. Success was in no way guaranteed. He overcame all temptation. Our Salvation emerges solid and immortal.

We celebrate that Salvation and the Glory of His Resurrection as we commemorate the entire Pascal Mystery in the Easter Solemnity. Lenten preparation runs its course. I invite you and your families to join us in spirit for this solemn commemoration of the Lenten-Easter Season celebration. In praise and gratitude

in the Love of the “ONE”, Jesus Christ

            Pe. Ed Benya, S.J.

PAROQUIA – Nssa Senhora do ROSÁRIO

Residência Nssa. Sra. de Fátima                              30 November, 2024               LIV:3

Trav. Carlos Pontes, 171                             

62.900-000 Russas, Ceará                                                    http://www.egfbenya.com    

BRASIL                                  e-mail: [email protected]          [email protected]

Dear Friends, Colleagues, Family, Collaborators and Benefactors,

Sacramental dynamic is a constant, a part of the Divine Call. It is unique for each of us as each of us is called to be a unique, distinct saint by Almighty God. It is a call to EXIT one-self. Because of our situation as sinners, fallen from “Original Grace”, (disoriented and lost), it is a call of which all of us have a distinct fear and resistance.

Sacramental dynamic is a component of “Sacramentality”. Saints of the Old Testament had it as do the Saints of the New Testament. Some people try to ignore it because it is challenging. Challenging and Powerful it is, but NEVER FORCEFUL.

This dynamic finds its beginnings with Original Sin when we became disoriented and confused, “incomplete” in our being, in need of Salvation. Thus each of us is conceived in “totality” but born “incomplete”. We carry a frailty, a weakness, a proclivity to confusion. We experience temptations to error and sin. We have a vulnerability that we must recognize and face. By the Grace of God, through Salvation, we can become complete as we trod this life, falling at times but recovering whenever we fall and continuing to trod, overcoming our vulnerability and navigating to Eternal Life. That navigation presents its mysteries and doubts. Almighty God mercifully guides us through that navigation by means of Salvation, through the hazards of this life in distinct steps of maturity, clarity, wisdom and charity.

“Total yet Incomplete”; thus, we are vulnerable, easily confused and disoriented. In need of Salvation, we are incapable of attaining Salvation on our own. Our Salvation had to come and does come from the ONE who is ENTIRE (Total, Complete and Eternal), the ONE who is completely beyond us in Being and in Virtue. In order to realize our salvation, HE and only HE had to become one of us; Vulnerable and Frail open to temptation as we are, yet WITHOUT our proclivity for confusion, completely clear in His Revelation and Manifestation. He could have rejected the entire scenario of Salvation with NO COST to Himself but leaving all of us confused and lost. He had to become “Incarnate”. He did!

We celebrate that Incarnation and Arrival in that ONE, our Savior Jesus Christ, one of us in the human, transcendental nature, yet also completely “ONE” in and as Almighty God with the Father and the Holy Spirit.

Each year the Yuletide season marks that celebration. I invite you, along with your families and communities to join us in spirit for these celebrations as I wish you a:

Happy Hanukkah-Yuletide-Christmas season and Blessed New Year of 2025!

in the Love of the “ONE”, Jesus Christ

            Pe. Ed Benya, S.J.

PAROQUIA – Nssa Senhora do ROSÁRIO

Residência Nssa. Sra. de Fátima                                          27 June, 2024             LIV:2

Trav. Carlos Pontes, 171                             

62.900-000 Russas, Ceará                                                    http://www.egfbenya.com    

BRASIL                                  e-mail: [email protected]          [email protected]

Dear Family, Benefactors, Friends, Colleagues and Collaborators,

Navigating the United States at this time, this letterhead still serves as a reminder of my geographic residence in this world.

With 20-20 HINDSIGHT I can say that the passage never was slow. Each step, unique in itself, seemed to follow a prescribed interval of timing that appeared quite normal. The specifics leading to these celebrations (50 years of religious life and 40 years of ordination) are to be found in previous postings. Presently the emphasis seems to be on confirmation, perseverance and renewal. Half a century has passed; another half century begins; subtle and rapid.

 Since the initial dynamic was never slow, I must admit that its continuation seems even more rapid especially as my age continues to mount. Surprises are most abundant; some pleasant and some unpleasant.

Events of a sobering, animating, enlivening, challenging and invigorating nature were present from the beginning and will continue. Among these is a public denouncement that implies a lack of sobriety and/or addiction, or some other degeneracy on my part. Received and accepted by at least one superior, objective medical examinations disproved these implications and accusations. I am grateful for these findings but the denouncement stands and must still be judged.

Among the more pleasing of surprises are those of an unexpected public interest in publications and presentations whose viable presence, I had assumed had placed them in a “literary ditch”. Regional, national and international attention and publication being rather mysterious, one never has exact certainty what is acceptable, will be acceptable or will draw much interest. Surprises are plethora!

Most blessed also as retirement makes its presence felt, is a gentle yet definite shift in ministries. Daily Eucharist continues to dominate my life, but the ministry of Anointing of the sick, elderly and infirm plus the ministry of Reconciliation, all receive new emphasis at this stage of my life. These know no bounds; as the Spirit of God calls, directs, indicates and sustains.

The MOST pleasant of surprises are students, former students, family, friends, benefactors, colleagues, collaborators; all of you who have been and remain with me these decades of years.

The formal celebration will be in September in Saint Louis. I invite you and your families to join us in spirit iff you wish. With praise and gratitude I remain humbly

in the Love of Jesus Christ

            Pe. Ed Benya, S.J.

PAROQUIA – Nssa Senhora do ROSÁRIO

Residência Nssa. Sra. de Fátima                              9 February, 2024                    LIV:1

Trav. Carlos Pontes, 171                             

62.900-000 Russas, Ceará                           http://www.egfbenya.com    

BRASIL                                                                     e-mail: [email protected]

Dear Friends, Family, Colleagues, Benefactors and Collaborators,

The Promise of The Redeemer was made shortly after our human fall. It remained a promise for centuries. It was confirmed with the arrival of The Redeemer. He led a quiet life for some 30 years and then began a public ministry carefully calling followers, disciples.

That public ministry was intensive from the beginning. Salvation was the goal and time was of the essence. The disciples were being trained, educated and FORMED not as employees and followers but as MINISTERS of Him who would become the Savior. The disciples were in Challenge and the Savior was in Temptation, almost continuously to reject the entire venture.

Temptation was present from the beginning, as a child. It continued into adolescence (in the temple in Jerusalem), in youth and adulthood. Satan knew, at least something of the goal that was in play. At the beginning of His public life, temptation of the Savior was profane (the riches and honors of this world). In the garden of Gethsemane it was violent and mortal (agony and torture). He was tempted to Abandon the entire venture and asked the Father, if possible, that such abandonment be realized. It was NOT possible. He continued.

During the 24-most intensive hours of the Passion, temptation continued. Bearing the cross, He fell three times: manifestations of continued temptation to QUIT (?); quite possibly. Yet He continued and so did the agony, the torture.

The final temptation was to DESPAIR…had he been Forsaken by The Father? NO! However he had been tempted and tempted most brutally. He died the Savior’s death. We received the sinners’ Redemption.

We celebrate those intensive 24 hours and the following Glory of Resurrection as we celebrate the entire Pascal Mystery in the Easter Solemnity.

I invite you and your families to join us in spirit iff you wish for this solemn celebration during the Lenten-Easter Season. In praise and gratitude

in the Love of Jesus Christ,

            Pe. Ed Benya, S.J.

PAROQUIA – Nssa Senhora do ROSÁRIO

Residência Nssa. Sra. de Fátima                                          11 July, 2023              LIII:2

Trav. Carlos Pontes, 171                             

62.900-000 Russas, Ceará                           http://www.egfbenya.com    

BRASIL                                                                     e-mail: [email protected]

Dear, Friends, Collaborators, Family, Benefactors and Colleagues,

The years accumulate. They pass with remarkable rapidity; the decade, quarter century, ruby (40-year count) and half-century. None are highly notable in themselves but in their sequence they mark a life. Finally Almighty God will judge that life.

Steps of passage mark each life. I prepare to enter my fortieth year of ordination to the priesthood and fiftieth year in Religious Life, the half-century mark. In themselves they are not particularly rare, but as a whole they embrace the major part of my life.

Beginning the half-century mark holds a singular meaning; Joy and Gratitude for a Happy life, yet sobriety in the reality of problems and difficulties survived during these 49 years. The point of sobriety draws attention. In August of 1974 a group of 18 of us entered what was then the New Orleans Province of the Society of Jesus. A definite fraternity, a Communion was born.

Our numbers actually began dwindling within a few days after entry as the first of the group discovered that he was not called to this life. Over the 2-year period of novitiate a further 10 departed. Seven of us took vows. Over the next 6 to 10 years, five of us were ordained. During the next 39 years, departures continued. This, in fact, is the projected run of any dynamic in this life. We arrive, discern a Call, try to follow as best we can, our limitations notwithstanding, while in continuous preparation for Eternity.

Yet, that Fraternity remains, continually taking a new form, structure and dynamic. Its maximum was defined at the entry date and remains as such for all time. However its spread or distribution varies; fewer are in this life, more in Eternity. That distribution took a definite tone of Reference this year as the penultimate of that original entry group who actually remained in the Order, Father Stephen Campbell, S.J., passed to Eternity. For better or for worse I find myself the lone member of that original group, still in this life.

I am a sole survivor, not lonely by any means, but a solitary figure. Dynamics of the situation as it has developed in no way guarantees my physical presence for the Golden anniversary. Yet that is secondary to the Original Call.

One way or another, there will be a celebration, and YOU, a most diverse and beloved group of Friends, Collaborators, Family, Benefactors and Colleagues will be included. My parents and many others are already in Eternity. Many of you are fairly recent to the group. Some actually precede the formation of the group. All of you show a SINGULAR dedication to Almighty God through the ministries, apostolates and works in which I am or have been involved. For this I humbly thank God and I thank you as I remain

Gratefully in the Love of Jesus Christ,

            Pe. Ed Benya, S.J.