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The legacy of Ven. Solanus Casey lives on

From Readers of The Michigan Catholic
Published July 27, 2007

We asked readers to write and send in their stories about the impact they feel Ven. Solanus Casey, OFM Cap., has had on their lives. Whether they met him while he was alive, or sought his intercession after his death, the Capuchin friar from St. Bonaventure has changed lives.

Ven. Solanus served for years as the porter (doorkeeper) at St. Bonaventure monastery in Detroit. His cause for sainthood is being supported by many. The next step in the process is that the Vatican needs to verify that a healing that occurred since his death is indeed a miracle.

The determination of any miracle can only be made by the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in Rome. Consideration of any case should be sent to Bro. Leo Wollenweber, vice postulator for the cause of Ven. Solanus Casey, at the Capuchin Monastery, 1780 Mount Elliott Ave., Detroit 48207.

Here are their stories.

Healthy pregnancy

Mary and her son Michael Carl Meredith at age 4. He is now 7.

It was Fr. Solanus Casey's divine intervention that brought a beautiful baby boy into our lives on Oct. 17, 2000. After losing four babies — miscarriage, stillborn girl, two more miscarriages — I was holding Fr. Solanus' scapular tightly in my hand when they took an ultrasound of my fifth pregnancy. I asked the nurse if I would miscarry; I was nine weeks along. She said that this was still possible. I prayed real hard to Fr. Solanus. There was conflict between my gynecological doctor and holistic doctor about me going on heparin shots to have this baby. The holistic doctor said, "What do you want? A retarded baby?" I cried and I prayed real hard. Fr. Solanus told me to go on the heparin shots. I delivered a beautiful baby boy Oct. 17, 2000, ironically the same day and time they broke ground for the new center on Mount Elliott.

Mary Meredith, Redford Township
St. Genevieve Parish, Livonia

Colon cancer

In the summer of 1996 our family's belief in the power of Fr. Solanus Casey's intercession was confirmed. My 40-year-old brother, Patrick Lane, was diagnosed with colon cancer. Being raised in a large Irish Catholic family, Fr. Solanus was someone we always turned to in times of need. The day before Patrick's surgery, six of his seven siblings joined him for a visit to St. Bonaventure. In the chapel, we told one of the Capuchin friars our story. He removed one of Fr. Casey's stoles from the display and wrapped it around Patrick while we all held hands and prayed. More than 10 years later, Patrick remains cancer free.

Mary Anne Zehel, Canton Township
St. Thomas α Beckett, Canton Township

Karen Kucharek hugs her husband Gene during his hospitalization at Mary Francis Hospital in Texas in 1996.

Heart attack

On Aug. 23, 1996 my husband suffered a massive heart attack while we were vacationing in Texas. He had myocardial infarction and arrhythmia (sudden death) at age 54 with no prior heart problems.
Five cardiologists and two weeks of testing diagnosed Gene with a large "mass" behind the left ventricle which had to be removed before they did a triple bypass and an ICD implant.

We stormed heaven morning and night with prayers to Fr. Solanus and taped his relic badge (scapular) to Gene's wrist.

The morning of the surgery the tumor disappeared with no medical explanation. Eleven years later, no further heart problems.

Deo Gratias!
Gene and Karen Kucharek, Sterling Heights
SS. Cyril & Methodius Parish, Sterling Heights

Bernard Beutel says he can't help but think that Fr. Solanus Casey was instrumental in his recovery from a brain tumor.

Brain tumor

In 1945 I was 6 years old and a member of St Philip Neri Church in Detroit.  I remember this clearly. Doctors were sure I had a brain tumor and my mom, Julia Beutel, took me to see Fr. Solanus Casey. I remember him putting his hand on my head and telling us not to worry.

Since  I am still  around at the age of  68,  I can't help but think Fr. Solanus was instrumental  in  my  recovery. Unfortunately, I do not have any other documentation regarding this event.

Bernard Beutel, Harper Woods
Our Lady Queen of Peace Parish, Harper Woods

 Love for God

Venerable Solanus Casey's tremendous love for God and his neighbor and his great example of having a quiet and humble spirit in the Lord continue to have a profound spiritual impact on my life.  His story offers healing, courage and strength to live the saintly life, even in the midst of being wounded by the judgments, rejections and limitations imposed on us by others. Fr. Casey truly lived out Micah 6:8; he acted justly, loved tenderly and walked humbly with his God. That I may do the same is my constant prayer. Joyfully and prayerfully, I anticipate his canonization.  

Linda S. Franklin, Detroit
St. Gregory the Great Parish, Detroit

Yolanda and Jerry Norkiewicz look forward to more years together now that his cancer is gone.

Leukemia

My husband was diagnosed with (AML) leukemia last year. On Nov. 29, 2006, my husband of 35 years had a bone marrow/stem cell transplant. It was Feb. 7, 2007, when we left Karmanos Cancer Center when I headed to see Fr. Solanus Casey with my husband. I poured all my heart out asking Fr. Solanus to help me, that my prayers would be answered and that everything would turn out OK for Jerry. It was Feb. 14, the day of hearts, and we had another doctor visit. To my surprise things were starting to change. His blood counts were looking good. The daily IV was changed to every other day. It was March 14, on my birthday, we heard the good news. No cancer! Thank you! We have made several visits back to see Fr. Solanus. Jerry is now going through recovery and he's doing well. Thank you Fr. Solanus with all my heart!

Yolanda Norkiewicz, Sterling Heights
St. Matthias Parish, Sterling Heights

A holy man

In 1944, at the age of 18, my mother took me to see Fr. Solanus Casey. My memory of that event is that he greeted us at the door, took us into a small room and spoke to us in a soft voice. I felt I was in the presence of a holy man. He talked quietly. I don't remember what he said, but I do know he gave me his blessing.

I was hospitalized in 1998 for a serious infected hip operation. I had three operations and spent nine months in and out of the hospital and three nursing homes. My daughter had a picture (signed by Fr. Solanus) to the hospital.

I am now 80 years old, have visited the monastery several times and send out Capuchin Mass cards as my family and friends are buried.
What an honor for me to have met him.

Dolores Katona, Dearborn
St. Alphonsus Parish, Dearborn

A serious growth

Before my mother, Florence McKinnon, passed away over 20 years ago now, she told me about her visiting Fr. Solanus Casey after finding a growth on her right side below her rib cage. There was a lot of pain in the area along with it.

My mother decided she would go to see Fr. Solanus before going to the doctor. She mentioned her growth and told him of the pain and size and discomfort. He told her that it was certainly unnatural for it to be where it was, as he could see it through her clothes. Fr. Solanus told her he was going to give her some prayers to say daily and not to miss saying them.  He said the growth will go away as it came. She said the growth left just as he said. She was so thankful because she knew in her soul it was something serious beyond words.

Neil McKinnon, Livonia
St. Pricilla Parish, Livonia

Deadly rash

Around 1930, Fr. Solanus Casey touched our family when my grandmother had been praying and going to doctors for a few months as a rash grew deadly on her 3-year-old son.  She ended up at Children's Hospital. They said that everything they tried just made it worse. She visited St. Bonaventure to ask Fr. Solanus to pray for my uncle. He played with Bill for a short while and said, "Don't worry, Mother. He will be better in a week."  He was. This cure has been a source of encouragement to our entire family who continues to visit Father.

Larry Giroux, Sterling Heights
Assumption Grotto Parish, Detroit

Eye problem

I am 82 years old. My mother always took us to visit and sit on Fr. Solanus Casey's lap to be blessed. My sister had an eye problem. It was severely crossed. She was to go to Pennsylvania to have surgery. Fr. Solanus blessed her eyes and she was cured immediately.
There was a woman who painted a large (painting) of five views of his head. She donated it to the monastery. When I stand far enough away from the picture, the face of the crucified Christ is so visible to me. This has been happening for at least 55 years.

Magdalynn Visnaw, White Lake Township
St. Patrick Parish, White Lake Township

Stroke

For 27 years Fr. Solanus Casey has guided me spiritually. Last year, Kathleen, my-mother-in-law, had an almost fatal stroke … with less then three days to live. My prayers deepened as I visited Ireland and prayed. The day my wife and I returned to the U.S., Kathleen was released to a nursing home; she is still recovering in great spirits; and is able to go home for afternoon tea weekly. 

Jim Miller, Farmington
Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, Farmington

Prostate cancer

In 1997 my husband was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He had 43 radium treatments. My good friend Rosemary Barry Adamo gave us a scapular medal and prayer to say to Fr. Solanus Casey. We have prayed for his recovery and now, eight years later, he is cancer-free! We owe it to Fr. Solanus Casey.

Jeanne and Dan O'Donnell, Farmington
Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, Farmington

Young visitor

When I was about 10 years old my mother sent me to the Capuchin Monastery to have a Mass said for a deceased relative. Of course Solanus Casey answered the door. As a child I was quite in awe of him. This was the first of several trips I made there on a streetcar for mom. Little did I know I was being helped by a potential saint.  I am now 87 years old and hope to live to see him declared a saint.

Rita Candela, Lathrup Village
Transfiguration Parish, Southfield

'So much faith'

I have so much faith in Fr. Solanus and have given out so many scapulars and prayers to so many people with miraculous results.
I have given them to pregnant women and everything turned out normal. I have given them to cancer patients and after several months or years they were declared free of cancer.

On of my son's friends was dying of cancer. He wasn't Catholic so I told him about Fr. Solanus and gave him the scapular and prayer. I saw him several years later and couldn't believe it. I asked him if he knew what did it and he said "yes."

If there ever was a saint it is Fr. Solanus Casey. "Thank God ahead of time."

Rosemary Adamo, Harrison Township
St. Hubert Parish, Harrison Township

Surgical helper

As I was wheeled out of recovery, after a grueling six-hour surgery in 2006, which included a surprise total hysterectomy and a future diagnosis of breast cancer, there were my husband and three children (all physicians), laughing hysterically. I remember thinking groggily, "What can be so funny about surgery? My kids aren't acting professionally!"

It seems that "Buddy," the nurse-anesthetist, intimidated by my husband's scolding to safeguard the Fr. Solanus badge (scapular), and also by the surgeons in the operating room who had yelled at him not to ruin the sterile field with the same badge, had no good place to place it. So he took some surgical tape and taped it to my forehead. That's exactly how they wheeled me out and that's what sparked the laughter. In spite of more surgery two months later, that incident set the tone for my mental health and physical healing. With fervent thanks to Fr. Solanus

Mary Ann Zink, Shelby Township
SS. Cyril & Methodius Parish, Sterling Heights

Tuberculosis

Fr. Solanus Casey has been my benefactor all my life, starting when I was 4 years old and was diagnosed with tuberculosis. My mother took me to see Fr. Solanus, who blessed me and told my mom that I would be fine. The next X-rays showed healthy lungs with no signs of tuberculosis.

I've had a bowel rupture and was not expected to live through the night. I fully recovered.

I had Stage 2 uterine cancer. After a hysterectomy I was told all lymph nodes were clean. Even my surgeon called that a miracle.

In the past six months, I've had both legs amputated due to arterial disease. The left leg was not healing and more radical surgery was indicated. All of a sudden my leg started to heal so fast the surgeon said, "A higher power is at work here."

All due to Fr. Solanus' influence.

Arlene Kuslak, Mussey
St. Nicholas Parish, Capac

Pancreatic surgery

His was the face that welcomed me into my hospital room after emergency pancreatic surgery. The picture of Fr. Solanus, in the room where he had died 34 years earlier, would, somehow, be transformed into a living presence in my life.

He is the friend who walks with me on my journey, bringing hope and healing and "Confidence in God." Upon seeing his picture on my relic badge, a confused Azheimer's patient brightened and tearfully related, "I met him when I was 15." The badge is never out of his reach and, to most of us, neither is Fr. Solanus.

Marcy Luibrand, St. Clair Shores
St. Gertrude Parish, St. Clair Shores

First Fridays

I was 15 years old when my dear neighbor invited me to go to St. Bonaventure for the First Friday in honor of the Sacred Heart. We would travel by streetcar.

Through the years I've continued to keep the First Friday, attended many special occasions, retreats, and affairs; still do.
How inspired I was when I saw the statue of Jesus scourged.
I'm amazed how many new additions have been added to the area. Beautiful, beautiful.

Age has slowed me down a bit. I am now 89 years old and wear Fr. Solanus' medal as he is my mentor. I was blessed by him, the porter at the door.

Mary (Evangelista) Turchetti, Madison Heights
St. Dennis Parish, Royal Oak

Return from war

When my father, Cliff Poshadlo Sr., enlisted in the Army Air Corps the day after the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor, he zealously applied for combat duty as a waist gunner, a turret gunner, a tail gunner, and a bombardier — only to be turned down each time. He had to resign himself to fighting the enemy as a staff sergeant in charge of putting back together what was left of surviving aircraft returning to base after being all shot up.

Cliff came back home to his sweetheart. She had refused to give back the engagement ring he gave her just before the attack, almost four years earlier. When he got back, he learned the real reason.

Sandy had pulled rank and went to see Fr. Solanus Casey to express her concern about her fiance's wanting to fight so bad.  Fr. Casey listened and sent her on her way with "Don't worry, he'll be just fine."

Cliff Poshadlo Jr., Dearborn
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Detroit

'Heroic Journey'

In 1993, Fr. Colum Morgan was assigned as pastor at St. Damian Parish. Since I had been actively involved in adult faith formation since 1955, Fr. Morgan and I worked together in parish ministry. He introduced us to the "Heroic Journey" video, in which he played Fr. Solanus' father. From that time on, it has become my mission to spread devotion to the work of the Capuchins and the ministry of Fr. Solanus. Every year since 1993, we bring the RCIA group, family, friends, to the Sunday healing service and expose them to the center. Fr. Solanus has had a great impact on my life, our family and parish family. Two people from our parish have been healed through his intercession.

Maryann Fox, Livonia
St. Damian Parish, Westland

Multiple handicaps

Doctors didn't expect our brother, born with multiple handicaps, to survive. Mom brought Bob to Fr. Solanus Casey — known as an instrument of God's miraculous healing. He told Mom, "I think the doctors will be surprised."  They were!  Bob lived almost 50 years — a leprechaun who created music, humor and good feelings. Our Dad said that when you were in Fr. Solanus' presence, you felt like you were in the Upper Room. We urge everyone to visit St. Bonaventure, and learn about Fr. Solanus and the other Capuchins, all of whom have wonderfully impacted our family.   

Jim O'Reilly, Dearborn
St. Alphonsus Parish, Dearborn

Bladder cancer

In 1951, my wife, Alice, was diagnosed with bladder cancer. She underwent many operations and cauterizing. In 1955, my mother, Lorraine Glueck, called Fr. Solanus Casey whom she had talked to in the late '30s about my brother Owen's problems. Fr. Solanus was amazed that a mother-in-law would be so concerned. He told her to keep praying and that Alice would be all right. She also sent Alice Fr. Solanus's medal which to this day Alice refers to when saying her rosary each evening. Alice's bladder was removed in 1957 and she has been cancer free since that year.

Lawrence Glueck, Redford Township
St. Valentine Parish, Redford Township

Cancer

In 1976 I was diagnosed with cancer and three surgeries were needed. After two surgeries I learned that one had to be repeated. I interceded to Fr. Solanus Casey and knelt in snow and ice at his grave in January 1977. As I got up, in the back of his grave, a lily was in full bloom. I was astounded. As I returned to work that morning the doctor called — the second surgery would not be needed. Among many trials along the way I learned to pray to him and thank God ahead of time.

Last year I lost my husband, and Fr. Solanus' statue was right next to him when he died a peaceful death at home. In thanksgiving I have his gravestone engraved with Fr. Solanus's portrait.

Margaret A. Bernardo, Clinton Township
St. Ronald Parish, Clinton Township

Brain aneurysm

On my 60th birthday, Dec 6, 2004, I lay comatose in intensive care at William Beaumont Hospital. The previous evening I suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm. My chances of survival were slim. If I did survive, odds were I would be severely mentally and/or physically impaired.  Doctors informed my family to prepare for the worst. A coil was placed in my brain to stop the bleeding and I was placed on a respirator. Family and friends gathered to pray and keep vigil. My sister, who had come from New Jersey to celebrate my birthday, had called 911 when I initially collapsed. Fortunately, she had with her an old relic of Fr. Solanus Casey which she pinned to my pillow. The next day a priest administered the sacrament of the sick. At that point, nurses encouraged my family to get something to eat and some rest. When my daughter returned the next morning she was amazed to hear the nurse tell her "your mother is asking for her glasses"! She was told I had awakened shortly after everyone had left. I came home on Dec. 22 and have recovered with minimal effects.  Thanks be to God and thanks be to Fr. Solanus whose powerful intercession brought about this incredible miracle of healing! 

Gail Damron, Lake Orion
St. Joseph Parish, Lake Orion

Appendix removal

I was about 11 years old when Dr. DeGurse told my mother that my appendix would have to be removed. Instead, my father and I went to see Fr. Solanus Casey. Fr. Solanus was sitting at a library-type table when we entered the room. He shook my father's hand and asked the reason for our visit. After my father explained the situation, Fr. Solanus shook my hand, blessed me, and then patted my hand and told me not to worry. He said I would never have to have my appendix removed. Seventy-nine years later, I still have it.

Lucy Schreiner, Marine City
Our Lady on the River Parish, Marine City

A piece of candy

I remember when I was a young boy back in the 1930s and went with my mother on the streetcar to the monastery. My mother went to confession and I sat out on the steps.  Fr. Solanus Casey patted me on my head and gave me a piece of candy. I pray to him every day to keep me in good health, and he has got me through cancer and heart problems.

Francis Ross, Macomb Township
St. Peter Parish, Mount Clemens

 'I was dying'

When I was 10 years old, the doctor said I was dying and my mother went to see Fr. Solanus. His prayers were answered. I was to have a lung biopsy three years ago and I asked Fr. Solanus to pray with me that I wouldn't have it. The doctors were ready to do the biopsy and took another c-scan and told me I was free to leave, there was nothing to biopsy. Last week I had my second biopsy for skin cancer and again prayed. The doctor said he got it all out. Thank you, Fr. Solanus.

Betty Laframboise, Ferndale
St. Mary Magdalen Parish, Hazel Park

Gland infection

About age 8 years (1937), I developed an infection of the mastoid gland in my throat. Doctors then had no cure for this and scheduled removal of the gland. My uncle, active at the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, advised my parents to take me to Fr. Solanus Casey. After I was presented to him, Fr. Solanus said, "Don't worry, brother Andrew, everything will be all right."  On my next visit, the doctor told us about a new "serum" which he would try in my case before surgery. I recovered quickly and never had another problem with my throat. I thank Fr. Solanus.

Andrew J. Belanger, SFO, Clinton Township
St. Malachy Parish, Sterling Heights

Sick baby

Blessed with a daughter in 1988 and another in 1991, our family appeared complete. However, God had other plans. In early 1998, we found ourselves expecting another baby. This little one was placed under Fr. Solanus Casey's protection. We welcomed our third daughter in November 1998.

In December 1998 she was diagnosed with RSV, a severe respiratory infection. The Fr. Solanus badge I wore through my pregnancy was placed on her hospital bed. Thanks to Fr. Solanus' heavenly intercession, she was discharged from the hospital in three days. Eight years later she enjoys good health, has just received her first holy Communion and is a bright soon-to-be third grader at Divine Child Elementary.

Her name? Angela Solanus Gorski. We are grateful to our "family saint"! 

Teri Gorski, Dearborn Heights
Divine Child Parish, Dearborn