The Gratitude of Blessed Solanus Casey

If you ever wonder “why me?”, follow the advice of the humble Capuchin, Blessed Solanus Casey who had an unconditional trust in God. In moments of disappointment, suffering or trial, Blessed Solanus counseled, “Blessed be God in all His designs.” To prepare for those situations, Blessed Solanus said, “Thank God ahead of time.” Solanus was born as Bernard Francis Casey in 1870 to Irish Immigrants at Oak Grove, Wisconsin. He lived his eighty-seven-year life in heroic gratitude, humility and service and was beatified on November 18, 2017 with approval of Pope Francis. His life is celebrated on July 30, the day before the anniversary of his death on July 31, 1957.

Blessed Solanus was the sixth of sixteen children and called “Barney” to identify him from his Irish father, Bernard James Casey who landed in Boston at the age of seventeen. The elder Casey married Ellen Murphy in 1863, then purchased eighty acres of government land in Oak Grove, Wisconsin and started farming. It was a hardworking, traditional Catholic family where Barney first entertained thoughts of the priesthood around age thirteen. At age twenty-one, he entered the diocesan seminary in Milwaukee, but encountered disappointment as he was released from the seminary because of his difficulty with the classes taught in German and Latin which he did not know. It was recommended that he join a religious order. Barney was not deterred, and asked for guidance by praying a novena with his mother and sister. On the last day of the novena, he received a message from the Blessed Mother, saying “Go to Detroit” – the location of a Capuchin monastery.

On January 14, 1897, Barney became a Capuchin Friar taking the name of Francis Solano after his patron, St. Francis Solano, the Spanish missionary who called poor children to prayer with his violin – an instrument that Blessed Solanus would also play. There was already a Friar Francis, so he became known as “Solanus.” After seven years, Solanus was ordained a priest in 1904, but because of his academic performance, he was ordained as a “simplex priest” – a priest who could celebrate Mass, but not hear confessions or preach. Again, this did not discourage Solanus or stop his outreach to the people. Solanus had a special gift as a listener and encourager who welcomed all of God’s family. He spent many years as a porter where he loved, welcomed, and counseled people at the door of the monastery. His message of acceptance and his “attitude of gratitude” brought many to ask for him by name, and for his blessings. Remarkable cures took place. His doorkeeper ministry started at Sacred Heart Parish in Yonkers, New York, and this was his important role at St. Bonaventure Monastery in Detroit for twenty years.

Blessed Solanus Casey was known in his time for his simplicity, humility, and love of all, but especially the poor and the sick. Inspired by his contributions, the Capuchin Soup Kitchen was founded in Detroit during the Depression and continues today. Blessed Solanus also publicized the work of the Seraphic Mass Association to support Capuchin missionaries where a small donation enrolled the donor to be remembered in prayers and Masses of the Capuchin Friars. Amazing results and healing began to occur after Blessed Solanus enrolled a person. See today’s https://www.thecapuchins.org/solanus-mission-association 

Blessed Solanus Casey’s legacy continues in Detroit and the life of this profound man is celebrated at The Solanus Casey Center https://www.solanuscasey.org/about-the-solanus-casey-center/. His message was of unconditional trust and acceptance of God’s will, and belief that good would come out of any situation. His counsel from the doorstep endowed many with the ability to accept trials – even to be grateful for them, along with blessings received, of course. Blessed Solanus’ words continue to echo his spirit of gratitude in the phrase, “Thank God ahead of time!”