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Father Solanus Casey

Father Solanus Casey, Capuchin, was born on November 25th, 1870 on a farm in Wisconsin. His Irish immigrant parents named him Bernard. He was the sixth child in a family of ten boys and six girls.  After he left the farm he worked throughout Wisconsin and Minnesota as a logger, a hospital orderly, a street-car operator and a prison guard.

At the age of twenty-one, 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, 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 re-assigned 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 favours 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 the people to love and support the missions. 

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 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.

A PRAYER

Almighty and Eternal Father, ever loving and merciful, I adore Thee; I give myself to Thee. May I be the person Thou desirest me to be; and may Thy holy will be done in my life today.

Thanking Thee for the gifts Thou didst bestow upon thy faithful servant, Father Solanus Casey, we pray Thee, if it be Thy will, to deign to glorify him on earth by granting through his intercession the miracles which the Church requires for the glorification of her children. Grant also that other good souls may carry on his apostolate of love for the poor, the lonely and the suffering of our world.

Through his example of humble obedience, may we also fully submit to Thy Holy Will in all things. With this firmly in mind, I beseech Thee to grant, through the intercession of thy holy servant Father Solanus the favour I ask [here mention your request].  I offer my prayer through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, Our Lord.

Amen.

Please report any personal knowledge of Father Solanus or favours to Vice-Postulator, 1780 Mt Elliot Avenue, Detroit, Michigan48207; Phone: (313) 579 2100 Ext.140.   For more information about the Cause, click on www.solanuscasey.org