Psalm 84:11 Better one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere. Better a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than a home in the tents of the wicked.Last week I was watching EWTN's Super Saints with Bob and Penny Lord. The life of the saint they were highlighting was St. Conrad of Germany, Gatekeeper of Altotting. It was a beautiful story and I was drawn to St. Conrad’s title of Gatekeeper…I at once thought of Sister Marie.
Often I have written about Mary’s House and the two marble plaques that are mounted just inside the doorway. On those large plaques is written a testimony to the Foundress of Mary’s House, Sister Marie de Mandat-Grancey. To me it has always had a deeper meaning than merely a tribute to Sister Marie’s title as Foundress and rescuer of Mary’s House, her charity to the Church and her love for Mary. To me it has always been symbolic of her role as doorkeeper to Mary’s House.
You see in Turkey one will hear of Mary’s House (and the entire mountain area upon which it rests - all rescued, purchased, and restored by Sister Marie) referred to as Panaya Kapulu, or Doorway to the Virgin. When writing and speaking of Sister Marie I like to say, “Sister Marie is the one who has opened the Doorway to the Virgin for all mankind.” She is the Doorkeeper.
Mary’s House is a physical manifestation of a spiritual reality: Mary’s Heart. Sister Marie can be thought of as the Doorkeeper to Mary’s Heart…a special way in which to enter.
In today’s Gospel John describes Jesus as the Gatekeeper. After learning about St. Conrad and thinking about Doorkeepers last week, reading this term today, so much like Doorkeeper, or Porter, or Keeper of the Keys, inspired me to share with you about my understanding of the role Sister Marie spiritually holds as Doorkeeper to Mary’s House, Mary’s Heart.
Here is a list of a few of the many humble Doorkeepers the people of God have come to know and love:
St. Peter, Keeper of the Keys to the Kingdom
St. Pio, Spiritual Doorkeeper for the Faithful
Venerable Solanus Casey
Blessed Andre Bessette
St. Conrad of Altotting
St. Therese of Liseux
St. Faustina, who answered the door for Christ!
Often I have written about Mary’s House and the two marble plaques that are mounted just inside the doorway. On those large plaques is written a testimony to the Foundress of Mary’s House, Sister Marie de Mandat-Grancey. To me it has always had a deeper meaning than merely a tribute to Sister Marie’s title as Foundress and rescuer of Mary’s House, her charity to the Church and her love for Mary. To me it has always been symbolic of her role as doorkeeper to Mary’s House.
You see in Turkey one will hear of Mary’s House (and the entire mountain area upon which it rests - all rescued, purchased, and restored by Sister Marie) referred to as Panaya Kapulu, or Doorway to the Virgin. When writing and speaking of Sister Marie I like to say, “Sister Marie is the one who has opened the Doorway to the Virgin for all mankind.” She is the Doorkeeper.
Mary’s House is a physical manifestation of a spiritual reality: Mary’s Heart. Sister Marie can be thought of as the Doorkeeper to Mary’s Heart…a special way in which to enter.
In today’s Gospel John describes Jesus as the Gatekeeper. After learning about St. Conrad and thinking about Doorkeepers last week, reading this term today, so much like Doorkeeper, or Porter, or Keeper of the Keys, inspired me to share with you about my understanding of the role Sister Marie spiritually holds as Doorkeeper to Mary’s House, Mary’s Heart.
Here is a list of a few of the many humble Doorkeepers the people of God have come to know and love:
St. Peter, Keeper of the Keys to the Kingdom
St. Pio, Spiritual Doorkeeper for the Faithful
Venerable Solanus Casey
Blessed Andre Bessette
St. Conrad of Altotting
St. Therese of Liseux
St. Faustina, who answered the door for Christ!
Sister Marie is indeed in good company as "Doorkeeper." And not to stretch the imagery too far, but "the doorkeeper" stands at "the threshold." I cannot help but be reminded of the term Pope John Paul II often used when speaking of the new millennium: "crossing the threshold of hope." We know Our Lady is "our life, our sweetness, and our hope." This is what we find when we are welcomed by Sister Marie, the doorkeeper, and cross the threshold of Mary's House...or to be more precise, this is who we find....Our Hope.
Thank you Sister Marie.
