The Porter of Saint Bonaventure

By: Rick Hernandez

Having a door opened for us is such a simple way of service, but an important one, for love is what opens doors... Let us think about that for a moment. Let me tell you the story of the porter of St. Bonaventure Monastery.
 
Bernard Francis Casey was a native of Wisconsin, born in 1870 to an Irish household surrounded by the German culture of the area. Bernard was a simple man, devout to our Mother Mary from youth. He felt called to the priesthood and entered the seminary in Milwaukee, WI. While there, Bernard was dedicated but not a very good student, struggling the most with languages, especially with German which was required in the seminary. Eventually, because of his academic struggles, Bernard was dismissed from the seminary, yet his devoutness and effort were enough to convince his advisors that he had a real vocational call to serve the Lord. 
 
Bernard was referred to the Capuchin Franciscan community of Detroit, MI for its novitiate program. He was struggling with the decision of whether to go or not, and whether to leave the known for the unknown. In prayer, he posted the question to our Blessed Mother Mary, whom he consulted in everything, and heard her clearly respond: "Go to Detroit", and thus started his blessed journey.
 
Bernard promptly set to attend the novitiate program in Detroit, MI. There he put on the habit of the Capuchins Franciscans and settled into a monastic life that fit him very well. While thriving in the life of the community, Bernard was again struggling with his studies... it was not for him to become learned and wise this way. Yet he was found to be devout, obedient, loving, and kind, so much in fact that he was still called to priestly ordination. Bernard took on Holy Orders but not as a fully empowered priest, but instead as a "simplex priest". A “simplex” priest could celebrate the Holy Mass but was not empowered to hear confessions nor preach a sermon... Bernard, in humility, accepted this call.
 
For years, this humble priest acted as the porter of St. Bonaventure Monastery. Bernard’s ministry as a doorkeeper, first at Saint Bonaventure, but later on at other monasteries, allowed him the opportunity to watch, understand, and grow closer to the people. He took advantage of this to serve the needs of the community. He was accessible, easy to talk to, a great listener, and always of good humor. He was available, gentle, and humble. He took the time to speak to those in need of counsel, and his advice was renowned to always be on point, while his intercession was known to be effective, and miraculous, always telling people to "Thank God ahead of time!"
 
Bernard believed in the Real Presence of God in the Eucharist, and he counseled people to attend Mass and receive Communion whenever possible, but in the cases where receiving Communion was not possible, he would counsel to ask Jesus to “come spiritually into your heart”.

Spiritual Communion was dear to the heart of this humble priest and he counseled to use these words whenever needed: 

​“Jesus, please come to me in spiritual communion. Send your body and blood gushing through my veins. Send your love into my heart, my soul, and my mind. Lift me up to your bosom and infuse me with your divine love. Amen.”
 
Where did this wisdom come from for someone who could not "learn"? Where did all these great deeds come from for someone who was told he “could not”?
 
God equips us all who offer ourselves to be in His service. He uses our gifts and our charisms. He uses who we are, not what we are not.
 
Bernard Francis Casey took a new name when he was accepted into the Capuchin Franciscans, maybe you know him by that name. Solanus, now Blessed, and soon to be Saint Solanus Casey. 
 
For years Blessed Solanus Casey was kept from ordination for what he was not... He was finally ordained for what he was... and he became "an extraordinary example of a true Capuchin and a replica of Saint Francis." (Fr. Gerald Walker, OFM Cap.)
 
In that humility of service, Father Solanus teaches us to thrive with what we have and to serve in what we can.
 
In our vocation of service, we sometimes fall short of who we think we should be no matter what we do, yet let us be encouraged to try the best that we can with who we are and what we have. Blessed Solanus Casey is holding that door open for us, let us ask for his guidance and keep our minds and hearts open to what God wants of us. God created us for greatness, it is on us to find how to achieve that in His service, with active love and compassion, immersed in hope, and alight in faith.
 
Blessed Solanus Casey, doorkeeper, intercede for us!
 
Let us pray: Lord of Heaven and Earth, help us to thrive with what you have given us. Let us become Your loved servants, that Your Mission of Love and Mercy may be accomplished by Your use of our hands. Lord, light a vocational fire in the hearts of Your people. We pray for an increase in vocations to the Priesthood, and that the Eucharist be always available to Your faithful. We thank you, Lord, in advance. Amen.

Rick Hernandez

Rick Hernandez is a commonsense Catholic, Lay Associate of the Blessed Sacrament, and a Director for Elisheba House. He lives in Trinity, Florida, with his wife Ivonne and their children. He also writes for the Congregation of the Blessed Sacrament's Daily Eucharistic Reflections and for Catholicmom.com