Our Lady's Doorkeeper
Feast: April 21st
Born Johann (John) Birndorfer, on December 22, 1818 this humble Franciscan Saint came from a large farming family of Parzham (Bavaria), Germany. Only a few details are related about his early years on the Birndorfer farm, but what we do know for certain is he was exceedingly devout from his childhood; conscientiously practicing the Faith and habitually drawn to prayer even in the midst of his daily work in the fields. His devotion to the Blessed Virgin was also noteworthy and, because of his outward display of piety, his family and neighbors all sensed he was destined for consecrated life. They even nicknamed him the “little angel”.
At 14 Johann’s mother passed away… then, at 16, his father was taken from the family. Johann stayed on at the farm, working alongside his siblings (11 of them!) while continuing to nurture a budding vocation to religious life. He became a member of the Franciscan Third Order in 1841; a Capuchin Tertiary in 1849 at the Order's Altotting monastery; and officially joined the Franciscan Capuchins as a novice at Laufen in 1851, taking the name Bro. Conrad. He was professed in October 1852 and sent back to Altotting where he remained for the rest of his long life.
At Altotting, Conrad was appointed the position of porter, which was a very demanding job, mainly because the monastery was next to the famed Marian shrine of Our Lady of Altotting with its miraculous statue of the Blessed Virgin. As it turned out, pilgrims often dropped by on the Capuchins not just for spiritual guidance, but also for various temporal needs such as food and basic medical care. The local poor were also regular visitors to the monastery. The porter's job was to answer the door... vet inquiries... tend to visitors and pilgrims... and distribute alms.
St. Conrad had a lifelong devotion to the
Holy Virgin, particularly to miracle image
of Our Lady of Altotting.
In due time Conrad became the face of the monastery. Whenever the doorbell rang, he rushed to the door and greeted each visitor with unconditional welcome - he generously dispensed food and beer to the hungry; patiently listened to peoples’ concerns; directed the pilgrims; and offered prayer and advice when solicited.
Described as a humble man of very few words, when he did speak, his brief sentences were precise but loaded with genuine compassion and wisdom… but really - he didn’t need to speak much to make an impact - his air of sanctity along with his consistent expression of love and charity towards all spoke volumes to those he came into contact with. The monastery eventually became a secondary destination for pilgrims and locals coming to visit with their dear Bro. Conrad.
With the daily arrival of crowds of pilgrims it’s not surprising God granted his servant certain spiritual gifts. Bro. Conrad was said to be able to “read” souls, foretell the future, and he mysteriously knew of events occurring at a distance; extraordinary charisms he used in service of the people God lead to his door. In addition, there never seemed to be a shortage of food at the monastery despite the holy friar’s generosity when it came to feeding the hungry. Early on, Conrad had assured his brothers that the more they shared their provisions, the more God's providence would supply for their own needs... and so it was.
It should also be mentioned that despite his busy job, Bro. Conrad never neglected his obligations to his Order. He prayed the Rosary daily and spent his nights in long hours of Eucharistic Adoration before starting his doorkeeping duties all over again in the morning. Whatever spare time he had in between answering the door was spent in quiet prayer and meditation. This was his routine day in and day out - his personal path to sanctity - for 41 years.
The Saint in death - the only existing photo taken of St. Conrad.
Conrad died after a short illness on April 21, 1894, worn and stooped with old age (he was 75). When the people noticed his absence, and learned he was ill, word quickly spread and the monastery was surrounded by well-wishers praying for the friar’s recovery. Needless to say, when his death occurred, the whole city mourned his passing and he was immediately acclaimed a Saint by the people.
Many miracles were attributed to his intercession before the Church confirmed what the people of Altotting already knew about Conrad - he was officially declared a Saint on May 20, 1934.
St. Conrad of Parzham, pray for us.
