Pope Francis Beatifies Father Solanus Casey

DETROIT, MI — One of Detroit’s Capuchin Soup Kitchen’s founders is a step closer to sainthood. Pope Francis announced Thursday the beatification of Father Solanus Casey, who was a member of the Capuchin Franciscan Order of St. Joseph in Detroit.

"The beatification of Father Solanus Casey is an incomparable grace for the Church in the Archdiocese of Detroit and for the whole community of Southeast Michigan,” Archbishop Allen Vigneron, the head of the Archdiocese of Detroit, said in a statement Thursday. “He is an inspiration to all us Catholics – and to all – of the power of grace to transform one’s life.”

In 1995, Pope John Paul II declared Casey “venerable,” one of the steps required before a Catholic can be declared a saint. One key step is the Vatican confirming that Casey's intercession helped lead to miracles, a process that can take years, the Detroit Free Press reported.

Some Catholics in metro Detroit believe that Casey brought miracles in to their lives or the lives of loved ones, healing people of cancer or other illnesses. If canonized, Casey would be the first American-born male saint and the first from Michigan, the newspaper reported. Pope Francis’ announcement moves Casey to "Blessed."

“Long before we knew and loved Pope Francis, we had the example of Fr. Solanus who lived the Gospel of Mercy,” Fr. Michael Sullivan, OFM Cap. and Provincial Minister of the Capuchin Franciscan Province of St. Joseph, said in a news release. “Known for his compassion and simplicity, he drew many thousands to God. “

Father Casey died in Detroit in 1957 at age 86. He was born to Irish immigrants in Oak Grove, Wisconsin as one of 16 children. According to the Solanus Casey Center in Detroit, “Father Solanus Casey spoke in a soft and quiet voice to all who came to him for help And he prayed,” the non-profit organization says on its website. “Some say his prayers cured illness. All say his serenity and counsel gave them peace.”

Besides Detroit, Father Casey served in New York and Indiana.

Photo courtesy of Solanus Casey Center