Conrad of Parzham, Saint

CORRADO da PARZHAM, saint. - Capuchin lay brother of the Bavarian province, Giovanni Biradorfer in the world, b. 22 Dec. 1818, d. 21 Apr. 1894. After his religious profession (4 Oct. 1852), for more than forty years he performed the office of porter at the great convent of St. Anne at Altzetting, beside the famous shrine of the Mother of God, which was annually visited by more than 300,000 pilgrims from the German and Austrian regions. Constantly in prayer, he sanctified himself through humility, and above all through patience and charity toward the poor, children, and needy workers. Declared blessed on 15 June 1930, he was canonized on 20 May 1934 by Pius XI. After the Capuchin martyr St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen (v.), he is the second son whom the German nation saw raised to the altars after the Protestant defection.