January 17, 2007
It was Martin Luther King Day; therefore, no school meant no warm meal for her children. This was the reason mom brought her seven little ones to the friary door Monday morning. It was cold and grey outside, so I quickly invited them in, sat them down in the parlor, and sped to the kitchen to prepare some warm soup and sandwiches. The smallest, a four-year-old all bundled up as if for a blizzard, briskly waddled in, turned to his sister and said something about being “in God’s house.”
Since the friars and sisters live in areas noted for poverty, people in need often make their way to our door. As it is very much a part of the fabric of our lives, in both the friaries and our sisters’ convents, someone is assigned as porter to answer the phone and the door. Traditionally, this humble task was often assigned by a superior to a wise older friar noted for virtue, especially charity and discretion. Our Capuchin Franciscan heritage boasts of a number of these holy friars, like Brother Conrad and Father Solanus who quietly became great saints as they diligently fulfilled a most unassuming yet essential task within the friary.
I recently heard the good news that Canada’s famous brother porter, Blessed Brother Andre of Montreal, will soon be numbered among the list of saints by Pope Benedict XVI. While not a Franciscan, he certainly had all the well known characteristics of the Capuchin porters—gentle yet strong, unlettered yet intelligent, humble and hidden, yet known and loved by all. Yet, perhaps the most common characteristic of these great servants was their “untiring fidelity.” Many of these exemplary religious fulfilled their responsibilities at the door, many for over forty years. These men accomplished ordinary tasks in a most extraordinary way—with care, dignity, diligence, and most important of all, without complaining!
Any friar assigned the task of answering the door knows quite well that the job requires more than being a doorman. Indeed, the brother porter assumes many roles: friend, counselor, socialworker, spiritual director, instructor, and many times, listener. The porter must know how to discern the real needs of those who knock at our door, because as you might imagine, especially with the addicted, the friary door simply can’t become a vending machine. Giving people what they want is not always good, but giving people what they need is always very good.
It’s certainly not enough for a porter to have a soft heart and an open hand; he must also have a clear head. At times, helping those in need can be complicated and frustrating, especially when the person at the door is less than honest. In such cases, charity and justice must work together. As the Scriptures tell us, we must be “gentle as doves, yet sly as serpents.” Like a good parent, a good porter says “no” to an unreasonable request. Yet even this must be given with respect and a good reason. Parents and porters who say “yes” every time are either lazy or lack the courage to face anger and opposition.
While common sense tells us that we cannot always provide for every need which may come our way, Christ tells us that we must give to everyone who begs from us. But what are people really begging for? Well, what do we beg for: attention, respect, kindness, and ultimately—love. To simply walk past a homeless person sitting on the street as if they were a bag of garbage is a grave sin. True, doling out cold cash isn’t often the answer, but why are we so stingy when it comes to offering a warm smile, a word of encouragement, or even a quiet heartfelt prayer?
After the meal, I led mom and the kids through the friary to the chapel. They walked wide-eyed, and whispered knowing they were in a special place. When we entered the chapel they all knelt next to me facing the tabernacle. No one knew the Lord’s Prayer, yet they all repeated the words after me in a most reverent way. Later, when cleaning the table, I thought to myself what a privilege it is to serve the poor. They come to God’s house looking for Christ, and I, His porter, find Him at the door.
Fr. Glenn Sudano, CFR
Most Blessed Sacrament Friary, Newark, New Jersey
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Dear Friends,
Fr. Glenn has requested that we temporarily discontinue the email account for "from the friars." Those wishing to contact the individual friars or sisters regarding the e-letters may write to them at their residence. A listing of friaries and convents can be found on our "contacts" page.
Thank you!
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