Detroit's Miracle Worker!

Detroit's Miracle Worker is Venerable soon to be Blessed Solanus Casey on November 18. He was named Barney after his father and born to a Catholic Irish Immigrant family in Oak Rivers, Wisconsin. As a boy, he was raised in the Catholic tradition and prayed daily with his family. His father would say "Prayer, boys, Prayer" and the family would pray. Barney loved to pray the rosary daily and would pray it every day for the rest of his life. Attending Christmas Eve's Midnight Mass, Barney felt the call to the priesthood. At age 21, he entered the seminary but had to leave because he could not comprehend the German lessons. His spiritual advisor advised him to write to the Jesuits, Franciscans, and Capuchins. All three of them responded positively, but he did not know which one to choose. He decided alongside his mother and sister to offer a novena leading up to the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. On the last day, after Holy Communion, Barney heard Our Lady say to him "Go to Detroit," where the Capuchins were situated. 

Fr. Solanus who resigned to "God's Holy Will" in all things was ordained a “simplex priest” without the ability to hear confessions or preach doctrinal sermons because of his average grades. He spent 20 years in New York and then was assigned to  St. Bonaventure Monastery in Detroit. As a "simplex priest," the pastor assigned him to simple jobs including being a "doorkeeper."   He said, “I have two loves: the sick and the poor.” He had a great charity towards the sick and would visit and console them. He was charitable and comforting to the poor, especially during the Great Depression when he inspired the Detroit Capuchins to open a soup kitchen that still stands to this day. Even at the end of his life, he said, “I’m offering my sufferings that all might be one. If only I could see the conversion of the whole world.” His last conscious act was to sit up and exclaim, "I give my soul to Jesus Christ." Fr. Solanus died on July 31, 1957, at the age of 86. Even though he was a simple man and a simple priest, Fr. Solanus still was able to leave a lasting legacy of humility and great faith.

"Thank God ahead of Time." -Solanus Casey

CANONIZATION PRAYER

O God, I adore You. I give myself to You.

May I be the person You want me to be,

and May Your will be done in my life today.

 

I thank You for the gifts You gave Father Solanus.

If it is Your Will, bless us with the Canonization of

Father Solanus so that others may imitate

and carry on his love for all the poor and

suffering of our world.

 

As he joyfully accepted Your divine plans,

I ask You, according to Your Will,

to hear my prayer for… (your intention)

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

“Blessed be God in all His Designs.”

Imprimatur:

The Most Reverend Allen H. Vigneron

Archbishop of Detroit

May 2017

“Worry is a weakness from which very few of us are entirely free. We must be on guard against this most insidious enemy of our peace of soul. Instead, let us foster confidence in God, and thank Him ahead of time for whatever He chooses to send us.” -Fr.Solanus Casey

Ta, Ta for Now!