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Travelers Along the Way: The Men and Women Who Shaped My Life
In his first-ever memoir, Fr. Benedict Groeschel introduces you to the men and women who have influenced him over the course of his life. Some are unknown, such as Mr. Graff, a Jewish man who tailored the suit the young man would wear to the seminary. His "Look, I don't understand about monasteries, but I'll give you a piece of advice. Be a good boy." Some are famous, such as Mother Teresa, Cardinal O'Connor, and Fr. Solanus Casey who once, in Fr. Benedict's presence, stepped unprotected into a swarm of angry bees, pulled out his harmonica, and played "Mother McCree" to calm them.
All of them changed his life in big and small ways. Their stories will not only inspire you, but also help you appreciate those you have met over the years who have enriched and deepened your own life and inspire you to make a difference in someone else's life.
The audio edition of this book can be downloaded via
All of them changed his life in big and small ways. Their stories will not only inspire you, but also help you appreciate those you have met over the years who have enriched and deepened your own life and inspire you to make a difference in someone else's life.
The audio edition of this book can be downloaded via
159 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2010
3 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
Benedict J. Groeschel
123 books76 followersBenedict 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 broadcast on the Eternal Word Television Network as well as several serial religious specials. He founded the Office for Spiritual Development for the Catholic Archdiocese of New York. He was Associate Director of the Trinity Retreat House for clergy and executive director of St. Francis House. He was professor of pastoral psychology at St. Joseph's Seminary in New York and an adjunct professor at the Institute for Psychological Sciences in Arlington, Virginia. He was one of the founders of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal and among his close friends were Mother Teresa, Mother Angelica and Alice von Hildebrand.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 17, 2017
Years ago, when I started dipping my toe back into the Tiber, as they say, I used to watch Fr. Benedict Groeschel on EWTN every Sunday night. He was a funny, thoughtful man who had a way of making Catholicism seem very down to earth and pertinent to my life. I liked his kindly way of speaking about faith and God, and his dedication to the poor. He was a good man.
I've read a few of his other books--The Virtue Driven Life and The Cross at Ground Zero are two that I remember--and I enjoyed them. His writing style reminds me a bit of Joseph F. Girzone and his Joshua: A Parable for Today stories: simply written, gentle, and easy to read while being profound at the same time.
This particular book was a series of short biographies centered around people who inspired Fr. Groeschel in his long life as a priest. There were well known names, like Fr. John Henry Neuhaus, Mother Teresa, Cardinal Avery Dulles, along with people I had never heard of before. Fr. Groeschel suggests that we look to our own lives and identify those who we walk with spiritually, and who offer us an example, or who inspire us to be better people. I am fortunate in that I can think of many!
I liked this book. A quick read by a wise old man who has gone on to his reward now. I miss him.
I've read a few of his other books--The Virtue Driven Life and The Cross at Ground Zero are two that I remember--and I enjoyed them. His writing style reminds me a bit of Joseph F. Girzone and his Joshua: A Parable for Today stories: simply written, gentle, and easy to read while being profound at the same time.
This particular book was a series of short biographies centered around people who inspired Fr. Groeschel in his long life as a priest. There were well known names, like Fr. John Henry Neuhaus, Mother Teresa, Cardinal Avery Dulles, along with people I had never heard of before. Fr. Groeschel suggests that we look to our own lives and identify those who we walk with spiritually, and who offer us an example, or who inspire us to be better people. I am fortunate in that I can think of many!
I liked this book. A quick read by a wise old man who has gone on to his reward now. I miss him.
September 30, 2023
I enjoy reading memoirs. This one is a spiritual memoir. Some of the people he mentions are well known, others are not but all affected his life in some way.
March 28, 2011
Reason for Reading: I enjoy memoirs and taking a peek inside a Franciscan's life at the people he admired sounded like an inspiring read.
Benedict Groeschel is a Franciscan Friar, has been for more than fifty years now. He is also a psychologist, has written many non-fiction books for Catholics and has his own show on EWTN, the Catholic Network. In this book Father Benedict introduces us to only a sampling of the people who have made an impact on him as he has traveled this journey we call life. It is a collection of vignettes about these people as he tells us brief biographies of these individuals but also about himself as he tells the stories of how he met them and how he feels they affected him in a lasting way. Most of the people discussed are Catholics, but not all. There was his lifelong friend the Presbyterian minister Rev. Dr. Linn Creighton, the Jewish tailor he knew his entire childhood who told him on the day he left for the monastery, "Be a good boy" and there was the young man who shot himself with Fr. Benedict standing outside his apartment door. Among others.
From the Catholics discussed, most obviously are of the Religious themselves, but only a handful are well-known personages such as Mother Angelica, Mother Theresa and Cardinal Terrance Cooke. The others are lesser known on a world wide stage though certainly held in high regard by those around them. Aside from the Religious Fr. Benedict also includes lay people such as Judge William P. Clark, publishers Frank Sheed and Maisie Ward, nurse Ruby Davis and Karen Killilea. The book starts with the story of his second grade teacher, Sister Teresa Maria and ends with powerful words from a 90 year old Cardinal weeks before he died.
A truly enjoyable book. Full of inspirational stories, some serious, some not-so serious. All are told with a sense of humour, the author has an ability to laugh at himself and with others telling great stories from the past dating from the 1950s up to the present day. The author has crossed paths with saints who were the must humble and awe-inducing one can have the privilege to ever meet and he has seen the face of Jesus in unexpected persons. A very enjoyable book to read. One you can read a chapter a two and then pick up again at any time. I liked Fr. Benedict's voice and tone and will take a look at his other books in the future.
Benedict Groeschel is a Franciscan Friar, has been for more than fifty years now. He is also a psychologist, has written many non-fiction books for Catholics and has his own show on EWTN, the Catholic Network. In this book Father Benedict introduces us to only a sampling of the people who have made an impact on him as he has traveled this journey we call life. It is a collection of vignettes about these people as he tells us brief biographies of these individuals but also about himself as he tells the stories of how he met them and how he feels they affected him in a lasting way. Most of the people discussed are Catholics, but not all. There was his lifelong friend the Presbyterian minister Rev. Dr. Linn Creighton, the Jewish tailor he knew his entire childhood who told him on the day he left for the monastery, "Be a good boy" and there was the young man who shot himself with Fr. Benedict standing outside his apartment door. Among others.
From the Catholics discussed, most obviously are of the Religious themselves, but only a handful are well-known personages such as Mother Angelica, Mother Theresa and Cardinal Terrance Cooke. The others are lesser known on a world wide stage though certainly held in high regard by those around them. Aside from the Religious Fr. Benedict also includes lay people such as Judge William P. Clark, publishers Frank Sheed and Maisie Ward, nurse Ruby Davis and Karen Killilea. The book starts with the story of his second grade teacher, Sister Teresa Maria and ends with powerful words from a 90 year old Cardinal weeks before he died.
A truly enjoyable book. Full of inspirational stories, some serious, some not-so serious. All are told with a sense of humour, the author has an ability to laugh at himself and with others telling great stories from the past dating from the 1950s up to the present day. The author has crossed paths with saints who were the must humble and awe-inducing one can have the privilege to ever meet and he has seen the face of Jesus in unexpected persons. A very enjoyable book to read. One you can read a chapter a two and then pick up again at any time. I liked Fr. Benedict's voice and tone and will take a look at his other books in the future.
April 7, 2011
Let's begin by saying that Fr. Groeschel is an amazing man. He has many followers, my mom included, and I first heard about him through the S.C.R.C. Catholic conference.
I am disappointed to say though, that this book was not for me. Even at being only 159 pages, I did not make it through the entire book. This being said, I am sure many people would enjoy, and could learn and grow from this book.
The back cover of the book does justice to what the book is, "Fr. Benedict Groeschel introduces you to the men and women who have influenced him over the course of his life." But for me, the stories were not intriguing and were a bit lackluster. I did not feel drawn into the stories.
Even as the back of the book states, "Some are unknown, such as Mr. Graff, a Jewish man who tailored the suit the young Groeschel would wear to the seminary: 'Look, I don't understand about monasteries, but I'll give you a piece of advice. Be a good boy." That was the highpoint of that story. It was a 4 page story that ended with him never seeing the man again and about how he will follow that advice.
The premise of the book is a good idea and it is awesome that a man such as this would let us into life and show us how he was shaped. I am sure that Fr. Groeschel fans would appreciate this book and I know that others can draw inspiration from the book, especially those who are interested in the priesthood or following God's will.
I am disappointed to say though, that this book was not for me. Even at being only 159 pages, I did not make it through the entire book. This being said, I am sure many people would enjoy, and could learn and grow from this book.
The back cover of the book does justice to what the book is, "Fr. Benedict Groeschel introduces you to the men and women who have influenced him over the course of his life." But for me, the stories were not intriguing and were a bit lackluster. I did not feel drawn into the stories.
Even as the back of the book states, "Some are unknown, such as Mr. Graff, a Jewish man who tailored the suit the young Groeschel would wear to the seminary: 'Look, I don't understand about monasteries, but I'll give you a piece of advice. Be a good boy." That was the highpoint of that story. It was a 4 page story that ended with him never seeing the man again and about how he will follow that advice.
The premise of the book is a good idea and it is awesome that a man such as this would let us into life and show us how he was shaped. I am sure that Fr. Groeschel fans would appreciate this book and I know that others can draw inspiration from the book, especially those who are interested in the priesthood or following God's will.
November 9, 2014
Fr. Groeschel reflects about people who have had an impact on his life, a number of whom he believes are ordinary saints. His love for the New York and the people there is evident throughout.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews