Saint Conrad of Parzham
Saint Conrad of Parzham (born Johann Birndorfer, December 22, 1818 AD in Parzham, Bavaria, Germany; died April 21, 1894 AD in Altötting, Bavaria, Germany) was a Bavarian Capuchin lay brother who served as the porter (doorkeeper) of the Capuchin friary at Altötting — the greatest Marian pilgrimage shrine in Bavaria — for over forty years. He is remembered for his gentleness with the poor and pilgrims, his long hours in prayer, and his tender devotion to the Blessed Virgin. He was beatified in 1930 and canonized in 1934. His feast day is April 21.
Stored in Cargo: Saint Conrad of Parzham
| Saint Conrad of Parzham | |
|---|---|
| Feast Day | April 21 |
| Profession | Capuchin Franciscan lay brother; porter; doorkeeper of the Altötting friary |
| Rel. Affiliation | Order of Friars Minor Capuchin (Capuchins) |
| Patronage | Porters and doorkeepers; lay brothers; Bavaria; Altötting; pilgrims; the poor |
| Attributes | Capuchin habit; door (his role as porter); rosary; broom (humility) |
| Birthplace | Parzham, Rottal-Inn District, Bavaria, Germany |
| Death Place | Altötting, Bavaria, Germany |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes; died peacefully at the friary door he had served for 41 years |
| Primary Shrine | Capuchin Church of Saint Anne, Altötting, Bavaria — his body in a glass reliquary in the church; a major pilgrimage site |
| Liturgical Class | Optional Memorial |
| Historic Class | April 21 |
Biography
Johann Birndorfer was born in 1818 in the Bavarian hamlet of Parzham, the ninth of twelve children in a farming family. His parents were deeply Catholic and deeply poor. He grew up in the rural Catholic piety of Bavaria, attending Mass daily when possible and spending hours in the parish church in prayer.
After his parents died, he distributed his small inheritance to the poor and in 1849 entered the Capuchin Franciscan friary at Altötting. He took the religious name Conrad. As a lay brother, he hoped for a life of quiet prayer and hidden service — and that is exactly what he received. For 41 years (1852–1894) he served as the porter (doorkeeper) of the friary at Altötting.
The porter's role at a pilgrimage friary is demanding: it means being at the door for the poor seeking alms, for pilgrims seeking spiritual guidance, for the sick and desperate who come to knock. Conrad was known for his extraordinary patience and tenderness, for distributing everything available to the poor, and for a profound prayerfulness that continued even while he was busy at the door. He was known to comfort the afflicted with words of gentle wisdom that seemed beyond ordinary experience.
He died at his porter's door on April 21, 1894, at the age of 75. Pope Pius XI beatified him in 1930 and canonized him in 1934 — a remarkably rapid cause for the era.
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Parzham, Rottal-Inn District, Bavaria, Germany
Death location: Altötting, Bavaria, Germany
Notable location: The Capuchin friary of Saint Anne at Altötting where he served as porter for 41 years; the greatest Marian pilgrimage town in Bavaria; his shrine is here (Altötting, Bavaria, Germany)
Notable location: His birthplace; a shrine and museum to him in his home village (Parzham, Bavaria, Germany)
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Parishes
No parishes dedicated to Saint Conrad of Parzham have been added to the database yet.
Media
| Media | Length | AuthorCreator |
|---|---|---|
| April 20 Saint Conrad of Parzham | Under 5 minutes | Breski1 |
| February 19 Saint Conrad of Parzham | Under 5 minutes | Breski1 |
| The Life of Saint Conrad of Parzham | 5–15 minutes | Daily Lives of Franciscan Saints |
| The Life of Saint Conrad of Parzham | 5–15 minutes | Radio Immaculata |
Shrines
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Known shrines
- Capuchin Church of Saint Anne, Altötting — his body in a glass reliquary; a major Bavarian pilgrimage site next to the famous Chapel of Grace (Gnadenkapelle).
- Birthplace shrine at Parzham — a museum and small chapel at his family home.
Feast day
April 21
Veneration
Saint Conrad of Parzham is venerated in the Roman Catholic Church with a feast day on April 21 (Optional Memorial). He is the patron of doorkeepers and lay brothers.
Prayers
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Intercessory
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