Porter (monastery)
Encyclopedia
In a monastery
, the porter is the monk
(or portress for a nun
) appointed to be the one who interacts with the public. It is considered an important office, as the porter is the representative of the community to the outside world.
The Rule of St. Benedict, in Chapter 66, gives specific advice as to the qualifications of the person chosen to serve in this post. In keeping with this advice, the porter is usually given private quarters right at the entrance to the monastery, which can lie some distance from the cloister
, thus the need for a very responsible person to fill this position.
Among Franciscan
communities, a large portion of the lay brothers who have achieved sainthood had spent their lives in the office of porter of the community, Saints Paschal Baylon
, O.F.M., and Felix of Cantalice, O.F.M. Cap., are examples. There is also the current American
candidate for canonization
, Fr. Solanus Casey
, O.F.M. Cap., who was a Catholic priest, but, due to the limitations of his academic capabilities, served as a porter in both Detroit and New York City
for over 30 years.
The Jesuits have their own holy porter in the person of Saint Alphonsus Rodriguez
, S.J.
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
, the porter is the monk
Monk
A monk is a person who practices religious asceticism, living either alone or with any number of monks, while always maintaining some degree of physical separation from those not sharing the same purpose...
(or portress for a nun
Nun
A nun is a woman who has taken vows committing her to live a spiritual life. She may be an ascetic who voluntarily chooses to leave mainstream society and live her life in prayer and contemplation in a monastery or convent...
) appointed to be the one who interacts with the public. It is considered an important office, as the porter is the representative of the community to the outside world.
The Rule of St. Benedict, in Chapter 66, gives specific advice as to the qualifications of the person chosen to serve in this post. In keeping with this advice, the porter is usually given private quarters right at the entrance to the monastery, which can lie some distance from the cloister
Cloister
A cloister is a rectangular open space surrounded by covered walks or open galleries, with open arcades on the inner side, running along the walls of buildings and forming a quadrangle or garth...
, thus the need for a very responsible person to fill this position.
Among Franciscan
Franciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
communities, a large portion of the lay brothers who have achieved sainthood had spent their lives in the office of porter of the community, Saints Paschal Baylon
Paschal Baylon
Saint Paschal Baylon was a Spanish friar and is a saint in the Roman Catholic Church. He is the patron saint of Eucharistic congresses and Eucharistic associations.-Life:...
, O.F.M., and Felix of Cantalice, O.F.M. Cap., are examples. There is also the current American
Americans
The people of the United States, also known as simply Americans or American people, are the inhabitants or citizens of the United States. The United States is a multi-ethnic nation, home to people of different ethnic and national backgrounds...
candidate for canonization
Canonization
Canonization is the act by which a Christian church declares a deceased person to be a saint, upon which declaration the person is included in the canon, or list, of recognized saints. Originally, individuals were recognized as saints without any formal process...
, Fr. Solanus Casey
Solanus Casey
Venerable Bernard Francis Casey was born in Oak Grove, Wisconsin. A Capuchin priest, Casey was known for his great faith, humility, and role as spiritual counselor and intercessor...
, O.F.M. Cap., who was a Catholic priest, but, due to the limitations of his academic capabilities, served as a porter in both Detroit and New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
for over 30 years.
The Jesuits have their own holy porter in the person of Saint Alphonsus Rodriguez
Alphonsus Rodriguez
Saint Alphonsus Rodríguez was a Spanish Jesuit lay brother, now venerated as a saint. He was a native of Segovia. He is sometimes confused with Fr...
, S.J.
Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...