Saint Alphonsus Rodriguez
HONOUR is flashed off exploit, so we say;
And those strokes once that gashed flesh or galled shield
Should tongue that time now, trumpet now that field,
And, on the fighter, forge his glorious day.
On Christ they do and on the martyr may;
But be the war within, the brand we wield
Unseen, the heroic breast not outward-steeled,
Earth hears no hurtle then from fiercest fray.
Yet God (that hews mountain and continent,
Earth, all, out; who, with trickling increment,
Veins violets and tall trees makes more and more)
Could crowd career with conquest while there went
Those years and years by of world without event
That in Majorca Alfonso watched the door.
Gerard Manley Hopkins
Blessed Fr. Solanus Casey seems to have followed a similar humble path as that of St. Alphonsus Rodriguez. Both being porter’s and both being conduits for God’s graces. Both having some difficulty in studies…and both having a fondness of helping the poor and discouraged.
I’ll be calling on both today for needs of friends and family. Thanks for the introduction to this Saint.