Book Reviews2 God’s Doorkeepers: Padre Pio, Solanus Casey, & Andre Bessette

Oct 31, 2008

Book written by: Joel Schorn

 

This book is about three religious men, Saint Pio, better known as Padre Pio; Solanus Casey, and Blessed Andre Bessette.  Two of the three were doorkeepers: Solanus Casey and Blessed Andre.  St. Pio was included in the trio because he assisted people through spiritual direction which, according to the author, can be liked to being a “spiritual doorkeeper.”

 

Saint Pio was a Capuchin friar in Italy who died in 1968.  He received the stigmata like St. Francis of Assisi (the wounds of Christ) and was a great spiritual director.  It is also said the St. Pio had the gift of bi-location.  He was canonized by Pope John Paul II and his feast day is September 22.

 

Fr. Solanus Casey was also a Capuchin friar, but he lived in the Untied States.  Fr. Casey was ordained as a simplex priest, meaning that he could only say Mass, but not hear confessions or give homilies.  He spent his time working as a doorkeeper at the monasteries where he was assigned and soon began to attract the attention of people who traveled for his advice and assistance.

 

When Fr. Casey died, the Capuchins were somewhat surprised by the number of people who attended his funeral.  Later, when his grave was opened, he was found to be incorrupt and his body was moved inside the church at St. Bonaventure’s Monastery in Detroit.

 

Blessed Andre Bessette was a Brother of the Congregation of the Holy Cross in Canada.  He served his community as a doorkeeper because he was not well-educated and only knew French.  In this position, he was able to help many who came to him who were in need.

 

Blessed Andre had a strong devotion to St. Joseph and encouraged people to fund a project to build a shrine to the saint.  Blessed Andre died in 1937 and was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1982.

 

Joel Schorn intertwines the stories of these three religious persons in a book that is very interesting and a delight to read.  It is recommended to those interested in the lives of St. Pio, Blessed Andre, and Venerable Solanus Casey.

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