Detroit Celebrates Blessed Solanus Casey Feast Day

News Summary

Detroit hosted a significant celebration for Blessed Solanus Casey’s feast day at St. Bonaventure Monastery, with Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger leading Mass. The event marked the first celebration since his beatification, attracting numerous attendees who shared their personal connections to Solanus. His legacy was highlighted, including miraculous healings attributed to him. Many reflect on his humble life and the impact he made within the community, with hopes for his eventual canonization.

Detroit celebrated the feast day of Blessed Solanus Casey on July 30 at the St. Bonaventure Monastery, attracting a large and devoted crowd for three Masses. The evening Mass, led by Detroit Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger, was particularly well attended, with many visitors filling the chapel to capacity.

During the Mass, Archbishop Weisenburger spoke of the sense of community that Blessed Solanus cultivated among the faithful, marking the first time the feast day was celebrated in Detroit since his beatification. His remarks reflected his understanding of local saints’ significance in enhancing the sense of belonging within Catholic communities. Having previously served as a priest in Oklahoma City, he shared his insights about the influences of such figures in people’s lives.

Archbishop Weisenburger’s involvement with the canonization process of Blessed Solanus reflects the complexity of such recognition, a task he is familiar with, given his work on the canonization of Blessed Stanley Rother, who was beatified in 2017. He noted that while the canonization process can be intricate, it often accelerates in cases of truly revered individuals like Blessed Solanus, attributing this acceleration to the genuine devotion rooted in local communities.

Blessed Solanus Casey, originally named Bernard Francis Casey, was born in 1870 in Oak Grove, Wisconsin, and passed away on July 31, 1957, in Detroit. He faced numerous challenges throughout his life, including being denied ordination after six years of seminary training, ultimately becoming a simplex priest. His role as a humble porter at the monastery allowed him to touch countless lives through his counsel, service, and healing prayers.

Many individuals have reported miraculous healings attributed to Blessed Solanus since his death, highlighting the enduring impact of his spiritual legacy. During the morning Mass, Father Ed Foley, the vice postulator for Blessed Solanus’ canonization cause, delivered a homily discussing his anxieties about introducing new insights regarding Blessed Solanus. He described Blessed Solanus as a “mystic of the mundane,” illustrating how he encountered God in ordinary life experiences with authenticity and steadfastness.

As a gesture of gratitude for his support of the Solanus Casey Center and St. Bonaventure Monastery, Archbishop Weisenburger was presented with a stole featuring Blessed Solanus and the Tau Cross. This stole was designed by Nancy Long, head of the Eucharistic Mission Band, who expressed her admiration for the Archbishop’s commitment to the cause.

The celebration also drew attendees who shared their personal connections to Blessed Solanus, including Sama Kizy and her husband, who named their twin boys Adam Solanus and Isaac Charbel. Kizy emphasized her hope for her sons to reflect the qualities of simplicity, leadership, and service exemplified by Blessed Solanus.

In a remarkable coincidence on Blessed Solanus’ feast day, Mary Bartold underwent a pre-surgery MRI scan that revealed her tumors to be miraculously absent. Her family had engaged in a novena and visited Blessed Solanus’ tomb, attributing her healing to his intercession. If recognized as a miracle by the Vatican, this event could significantly propel Blessed Solanus closer to full sainthood.

Blessed Solanus’ life was marked by numerous adversities, including a speech impediment resulting from diphtheria and the challenges of growing up as one of sixteen children in his family. His deep-rooted devotion to the Catholic faith and the rosary was nurtured by his family, which further solidified his spiritual journey and the impact he would have on future generations.

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Additional Resources

• Detroit Catholic: Blessed Solanus Casey’s Feast Day
• Wikipedia: Blessed Solanus Casey
• Detroit Free Press: Tumors Vanish After Visit to Blessed Solanus
• Google Search: Blessed Solanus Casey
• Angelus News: Memorable Graces of Solanus Casey
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Blessed Solanus Casey