An Ideal Man

[Reflections on the book, Solanus Casey: The Story of Father Solanus by Catherine M. Odell]

Reviewed by Byron LeBeau

If you are a bit concerned about the hypocritical cynical world we live in, it may be refreshing to stroll down the lane of a man who loved mankind by offering himself literally to God as a doorway.  This very reflection may restore your hope in humanity by seeing how one man restored the hope of so many for so long over his 86 years of existence on this planet.

This was a man who loved baseball, but did not wear a mask when he acted as catcher.  If you ever played baseball at this position, this would not be a wise thing to do since it could very easily cause a good deal of pain, but as we will see, suffering was seen by Solanus as a blessing – not a curse, and this was part of the secret of his holiness.

Casey did not start off by wanting to be a priest, but at the tender age of 21 while serving as a streetcar motorman, he witnessed a young woman being murdered, and decided to try an entirely new track, and go in a new direction by becoming a priest.

WHAT IS A ‘SIMPLEX’ PRIEST?

Solanus Casey!  Yes, it is a priest who could say Mass (as in the Roman Catholic Mass,) but was denied other priestly functions like hearing confessions or giving sermons; part of the reason had to do with the fact that Solanus could not master foreign languages such as German or Latin, but what he lacked in astute intelligence he more than made up for in astute caring for human beings, especially listening to and praying over their concerns for loved ones who were deathly ill. [It reminded Fr. Anthony of the Cure of Ars who was also judged as not being too bright, but the people of Ars (and elsewhere could appreciate a holy man when they saw one (74.)

As you will find by reading this book, Fr. Solanus was not only able to pray for a given person’s recovery, but could actually comfort their respective relatives that a person would get well ~ and NOT TO WORRY! [The documented evidence presented by the author Odell attests to his uncanny ability which was invariably accurate, but like any “saint,” would always ascribe the power of healing to God.  By the time Casey did die, he was considered by many as being a saint – but America never has had a “canonized” saint who was born in America…and now, Solanus Casey is well on the road for that to happen – perhaps in the near future. [He was declared “Venerable” and thirty years after his death in 1957, the disinternment committee found that he was still mostly “intact,” save for some decomposition in both arms (238.)] But it is not the sensationalism that can be caused by such matters that is really important: What is important is how he was regarded by his fellow Capuchin Fathers, and echoed by Bro. Leo Wollenweber who explained – that it was Fr. Solanus’s goodness that makes his story so relevant and inspirational.  His was a very selfless love that so successfully communicated an uncomplicated faith in a loving God (239.)

LOOKING BACK AT SOLANUS’S GOODNESS

I noted, while reading this book, that Solanus’s goodness started with his character: he was ‘prayful’ ‘approachable’ ‘not to be rigid but go with the Holy Spirit’s prompting’ – all of which made him understanding, considerate and friendly. [It is these very traits that attracted many people to him, many of whom came to him with their problems; his response: listen intently, pray for them, and often enough, miraculous things were the response to his prayful response! [This is a constant theme in the book, and there are a myriad of examples, but I will elaborate on just one or two to give you the idea that this prayful man was in touch with the divine who listens and helps!]

A TYPICAL CAYCE SCENARIO

Between pages 132 and 142 of this book the following events are recorded by the author: Fr. Solanus is told of a crisis that about two hundred people need to be fed but the kitchen ran out of bread, so they went to tell Fr. Solanus; He says to the Father in charge (Herman Buss): ‘Just wait and God will provide.’ Then Casey says an ‘Our Father’ and invites the people to join him in prayer. Just then a bakery man comes through the front door with a big basket full of food, and a whole truck full behind.  The hungry men saw what was happening and they started to cry and tears were running down their cheeks.  Fr. Solanus, in his simple way, said, ‘See, God provides. Nobody will starve as long as you put your confidence in God, in Divine Providence.’ Further on the author noted that Casey seemed to have a sort of “knowing” what was going to happen – beyond a simple “believing.”  The author then cites an example (which was typical throughout the book) that a Mrs. Mary McHugh had a child with a 104 degree fever that was life threatening; she called Fr. Solanus and he urged her to bring the child over.  He held the child and prayed for her and told Mrs. McHugh that her child would be well in three days.  That night the fever broke (which her doctor called a “miracle”) and three days later she was well! [This “knowing” by the way, if it is truly a good fruit, is a gift from the Holy Spirit, and Casey himself would be the first to agree, as was attested to by his very life steeped in helping people for the greater honor & glory of God.]

Even more serious diseases and illnesses were seemingly cured by the intervention of Fr. Cayce’s prayer (to the Father) for the given inflicted individual, including cases involving cancer (174) – tuberculosis (244-45) – and the heart condition of a young child which also was life threatening (246.)

WORDS AND WISDOM OF FATHER SOLANUS

This section alone is worth purchasing this book for ongoing reflection, from the lips of an  Ideal Man…a man who exuded holiness despite being treated rudely and disrespectfully on many an occasion…yet he never would say a rude or bad word to anyway – despite anything. SILENCE IS GOLDEN ~ was his rule of thumb until the end, despite his tremendous suffering as he advanced in age, first in his legs, and then all over his body. {{I recall a similar scenario with St. Bernadette Souberous, whom the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to at Lourdes, France; she also was inflicted with a horrible bone cancer that caused her much pain. Not so coincidentally, Fr. Solanus was devoted to The Blessed Virgin Mary, and praying the rosary was second nature to him.}}

SOLANUS on SUNDRY TOPICS

Christian Life ~ We are Christian only in as far we believe in Jesus and keep His word.

Crosses ~ (in effect) are blessings in disguise.

Hope ~ is the very soul of happiness on this side of heaven.

Humility ~ If you can honestly humble yourself, the victory is won. {{This whole biography is a testament to Solanus’s approach toward life, and was demonstrated again and again and again throughout his long and blessed life.}}

Suffering ~ We do well to remember how short, after all, it is till our suffering and our time of merit will be over.  Let us offer everything therefore to the divine Spouse of souls, that we may accept it as helping Him to save immortal souls, our own included.

Trust in God ~ {{which is a very mighty theme of this website}} where Casey observes that there is hardly anything else that the enemy of our soul [that is, Satan] dreads more than confidence – humble confidence in God.  Confidence in God is the very soul of prayer.

There are many many more inspirational ideas in this book, but why should I spoil your fun?J  I predict that Fr. Solanus Casey will someday be recognized as a bona fide saint, but more importantly, (at present) he acts as a guide and guidepost (an assistant porter which ironically was his job within the Capuchin order as a ‘simplex’ priest,) where God takes the simple ones of this world to do His Mighty Work of leading us all to salvation!