"The only science that gives purpose to every other science is the science of religion--the science of our happy relationship
with, and our providential dependence on God and our neighbor."
- Venerable Father Solanus Casey, OFM Capuchin
BEATIFICATION PRAYER FOR VEN SOLANUS CASEY
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.
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 to
Father Solanus.
If it is Your Will, bless us with the beatification of
Venerable Solanus so that others may imitate
and carry on his love for all the poor and suffering of our world.
If it is Your Will, bless us with the beatification of
Venerable 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.
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: Adam Cardinal Maida,
Archbishop of Detroit
At
the age of 21, Bernard entered St. Francis High School Seminary in
Milwaukee to study for the diocesan priesthood. Five years later he
decided to enter a religious order. He was invested in the Capuchin
Order at Detroit in 1897 and received his religious name of Solanus.
After
his ordination in 1904, Father Solanus spent 20 years in New York,
Harlem, and Yonkers. In 1924 he was sent to St. Bonaventure Monastery in
Detroit where he worked for 20 years. In 1945, he returned to New York
for one year. He was assigned to Huntington, Indiana from 1946 to 1956.
He was reassigned to St. Bonaventure in 1956.
Father
Solanus spent his life in the service of people. At the monastery door,
he met thousands of persons from every age and walk of life. In time of
trouble and sorrow, they sought his prayers and advice. Many attributed
favors to his prayers. He constantly showed his love of God by loving
all of God’s people. He was always ready and willing to listen to anyone
any time of the day or night. In return he asked people to love and
support the missions.
During
his final illness, he remarked: "I'm offering my suffering that all
might be one. If only I could see the conversion of the whole world."
His last conscious act was to sit up in bed and exclaim, "I give my soul
to Jesus Christ." He died in Detroit at the age of 86 on July 31, 1957
and is buried at St. Bonaventure Monastery.
Please report any personal knowledge of Father Solanus or favors to:
Vice Postulator
1780 Mt. Elliott Avenue
Detroit, Michigan 48207
Phone (313) 579-2100 Ext. 139
The Message of Father Solanus Casey, Capuchin
Who
was Father Solanus? A simple man; a simple priest; not a man of letters
although he sometimes wrote like a poet; not a man of degrees, yet his
thought reached to profound depths.
In
his own time, he was far ahead of his time. Like a prophet, he was a
man with a message for our times. Like a prophet, he lived a life
concerned for God's people, suffering and laboring for the conversion of
sinners. His message, always one of faith and trust in God, was to
console and to encourage. He brought about peace by a kindly insistence
on our right relationship to – and dependence on – God and neighbor.
This
Capuchin priest, Father Solanus Casey, was born November 25, 1870 on a
Wisconsin farm along the banks of the Mississippi. He was the sixth
child in a family of ten boys and six girls. His Irish immigrant parents
named him Bernard after his father.
From
an early age he learned obedience, diligence, and piety from his
God-fearing parents. Life on the farm taught him to be practical and
resourceful. At 17, eager to supplement the family income after several
crop failures, Bernard willingly left the farm for other employment. In
nearby Stillwater, Minnesota he worked for a time as a hand on the
log-booms, as a part-time prison guard, then as one of the first
streetcar operators when Stillwater installed the new electric trolleys.
In
1891 Bernard was able to pursue his long-cherished dream of becoming a
priest. He began his studies at age 21 and entered St. Francis Seminary
High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where he dedicated himself to his
spiritual and academic formation. Called by God to the Capuchin Order in
1896, Bernard was given the new name of Solanus. He soon became a model
of religious observance, ever-faithful to the holy vows of Poverty,
Chastity, and Obedience. Although he experienced some difficulty with
his studies, he so edified his Superiors and fellow religious that he
was found worthy of ordination to the holy Priesthood on July 24, 1904.
His
long priestly ministry then began in New York. During the fourteen
years he served at Sacred Heart Parish in Yonkers, New York Fr. Solanus
fulfilled the humble duties of Sacristan and Doorkeeper besides those of
Director of the Young Ladies Sodality, Director of Altar Boys, and
other pastoral duties. He soon edified the parishioners by his prayerful
example at Mass, by his great charity toward the sick, the children,
the non-Catholics and the poor. The sick especially were anxious for his
priestly visits and consolation. His apostolate to the sick and to the
poor continued in other places also. He was appointed to Our Lady of
Sorrows Parish in New York City in 1918 and then to Our Lady of Angels
Parish in Harlem in 1921. Soon after being appointed in 1924 to the
Capuchin Friary of St. Bonaventure in Detroit Father Solanus became
known and loved by all. Always available to the poor, the sick, and the
troubled souls, he brought comfort to people from every age and walk of
life. He was ready and willing to listen to anyone anytime. His ministry
of charity and comfort was especially noted during the great Depression
of 1929 when his concern for the poor inspired the Detroit Capuchins to
establish their Soup Kitchen, a service of charity that continues to
this day.
During
the years of 1941-1945 Fr. Solanus' advice and prayers aided many
anxious families whose sons and daughters served in World War II. Eager
for the spread of the Catholic faith, Solanus actively promoted help for
the Missions and showed great charity and concern toward non-Catholics.
Always zealous for souls, his ministry to the sick and troubled
continued unabated, even in the later years of his life when his
Superiors, wanting to give him a well-earned retirement, sent him to the
Friary of St. Felix in Huntington, Indiana in the spring of 1946. There
he spent his time in prayer and ministry to the sick and troubled until
his own infirmities brought him back to Detroit for special medical
care.
Eighteen
months later, after about a month in the hospital where he endured his
pains with fortitude, his long life was completed. It was a life spent
in total sacrifice for the glory of God by fulfilling to perfection the
duties of a Christian, religious, and Priest of God. During his final
illness he remarked, "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. He is
buried at St. Bonaventure Monastery, Detroit, Michigan.
When
the Cause of Solanus was recommended the Relator Fr. Peter Gumpel
stated, "While his example is relevant for all priests and religious, it
would seem to be such in a particular manner for all Americans. They
will be able to derive from his life an inspiration entirely based on
faith and charity, and at the same time, also deeply human: Sociable,
optimistic and cheerful, compassionate and active in trying to alleviate
the spiritual and material sufferings of others."
