“Ring”, the oh, so familiar sound of the front door bell echoed down the long, wide hallways, while completely absorbed in the work project of painting the interior walls of the friary. I joyfully paused mid-stroke with the paint brush in my hand, hesitating long enough to being roused by my brother Éoin Pól, “Don’t keep Jesus waiting at the door”, he said with a grin. Immediately I took off to the front door. Leon, one of our regular visitors was stopping in for coffee, some sandwiches and prayer. My brother was right, Jesus says in John 13:20, “Whoever receives anyone I send, receives me”… Jesus always waits and I never know when or how.

Being a Porter is a hidden life of servitude. Blessed Conrad of Parzham, Capuchin, served in the friary as Porter for 41 years. His life is an inspiration to seek the face of Christ in our brothers and sisters, especially those the Lord puts in our way. The role of the Porter is unique in its own little way, like our pinkie toes. The doctors say that if both pinkie toes were cut off each foot, you wouldn’t be able to walk. Something so small, and can seem so useless, is what gives the body the ability to walk. From taking a message, answering the phone, watering the plants, making sandwiches at the door for the poor, listening and being present to visitors all must be done. As a porter you know everything and everybody turns to you with assurance to get a satisfactory answer to a question. Jesus waits in disguise through the face of the Poor, the Porter sacrifices all to seek Him in everything. The Life as a Porter sacrifices all to seek Him in everything. The life as a Porter is rewarding, believe me it’s out of this world.

- Br. John Baptist, CFR