Conrad of Parzham
Conrad of Parzham was a German Capuchin lay brother venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church. He is chiefly remembered for his over 40 years of service as a porter at the Capuchin friary in Altötting, where he gained a reputation for wisdom, holiness, and bountiful charity to the poor and strangers.
- Feast Day
- April 21
- Century
- 19th century
- Country Or Region
- Germany
Key Facts
- ›Born Johann Evangelist Birndorfer on December 22, 1818, he was the son of Bartholomäus Birndorfer and Gertrude Niedermayer.
- ›He joined the Capuchin friars as a lay brother in 1839, distributing his inheritance beforehand.
- ›Conrad served as the porter at the Capuchin friary of St. Anna in Altötting for over 40 years.
- ›He was known for his diligence, sparing words, generosity to the poor, and readiness to help strangers.
- ›He was canonized by Pope Pius XI in 1934, with his feast day celebrated on April 21.
- ›He is a patron saint of the MID-America Province of Capuchin Friars and the diocese of Passau.
Johann Evangelist Birndorfer
Mid-America Province of Capuchin Friars, Diocese of Passau
About Conrad of Parzham
Conrad of Parzham, born Johann Evangelist Birndorfer on December 22, 1818, was a German Capuchin lay brother who became widely venerated for his holiness and wisdom. He spent over four decades serving as the porter at the Capuchin friary in Altötting, a role through which he gained a profound reputation for his spiritual life and service to others.
Life and Veneration
Born into a large family on a farm in Parzham, Bavaria, Johann displayed early piety, with a particular devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. After the deaths of his parents and a period working on the family farm, he felt called to religious life. In 1839, at the age of 31, he joined the Capuchin friars as a lay brother, taking the name Conrad in honor of Conrad of Piacenza.
He was sent to the friary of St. Anna in Altötting, which served the national shrine of Bavaria. As the friary's porter, Conrad was known for his diligence, his sparing use of words, his bountiful charity towards the poor, and his readiness to welcome and assist strangers. His service as porter lasted for more than 40 years, during which he ministered to the needs of both body and soul for the inhabitants of the town.
Conrad cultivated a deep love for silence, often spending his free moments in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. He also dedicated significant portions of his nights to prayer, foregoing sleep. His life of prayer and devoted service led to a widespread belief in his sanctity.
Canonization and Legacy
Following his death on April 21, 1894, Conrad was reputed to possess gifts of prophecy and the ability to read hearts. These attributes, combined with his heroic virtue and attributed miracles, led to his beatification by Pope Pius XI in 1930. Four years later, Pope Pius XI canonized him, officially inscribing his name in the list of saints. Conrad of Parzham is now venerated in the Catholic Church, with his feast day observed on April 21. He is recognized as the patron saint of the Mid-America Province of Capuchin Friars and, since 1984, the diocese of Passau.
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Conrad of Parzham?
Conrad of Parzham was a German Capuchin lay brother who lived from 1818 to 1894. He is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church and is known for his dedicated service as a friary porter.
What was Conrad of Parzham known for?
He is chiefly remembered for his over 40 years of service as the porter at the Capuchin friary in Altötting, where he gained a widespread reputation for his wisdom, holiness, and bountiful charity to the poor and strangers.
When is the feast day of Conrad of Parzham?
The feast day of Conrad of Parzham is celebrated on April 21.
What are some of Conrad of Parzham's patronages?
Conrad of Parzham is the patron saint of the Mid-America Province of Capuchin Friars and, since 1984, the patron saint of the diocese of Passau.
What was Conrad of Parzham's role in the Church?
He served as a lay brother within the Capuchin friars and was known for his devout prayer life and charitable works, particularly during his long tenure as a friary porter.
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