One of several Americans whose cause for canonization is now being reviewed is Venerable Solanus Casey. Born in Wisconsin in 1875, Father Solanus was ordained to the priesthood for the Capuchin Friars as a “simplex priest,” not being allowed to preach or hear confessions on account of his academic challenges. Instead, he was given the task of porter, answering the door for persons coming to visit. It was there that thousands of souls received not only kindness and acceptance, but even numerous physical healings through this holy man.
St. Andre Bessette had a similar difficult start and humble beginning. Entering the Holy Cross Brothers in 1870, he was soon assigned to the ministry of porter. Brother Andre often joked, “At the end of my novitiate, my superiors showed me the door, and I stayed there for forty years.”
On August 1, 1925, a young Polish girl named Helena Kowalska entered the Congregation of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy, receiving the name Faustina. Sister Faustina was a seemingly unremarkable nun, her days occupied with menial tasks. One of those tasks was porter, where she enjoyed greeting visitors affably and with great tenderness. Not long after, Jesus chose St. Faustina to be His Apostle and “Secretary” of Divine Mercy, charging her with the task of spreading this devotion throughout the entire world.
Souls everywhere around us are searching for the unfathomable mercy of God. The Holy Spirit is constantly guiding and directing them to the Catholic Church. Our work: open the door.
