Do This in Memory of Me

Father Solanus Guild Reflection by Br. Dan Crosby, OFM Cap. – August 05, 2025

It was June, 1937, and there was going to be a grand celebration at St. Joseph’s Church in Prescott, Wisconsin. The parish was celebrating its 75^th anniversary! St. Joseph’s was memorable in the Casey family: it had been their first parish as well as the site of the baptism of Bernard Francis (later Capuchin Fr. Solanus). Fr. Maurice Casey, Solanus’ older brother, did everything he could to enhance the joy of that day. He convinced not only Fr. Solanus to come from Detroit but also his younger brother, Fr. Edward Casey, to return from missionary work in the Philippines. Together they celebrated a Solemn High Mass before a church full of grateful parishioners. Fr. Solanus preached for the occasion, even though as a “simplex priest” he did not usually do this. This is what he said:

“Love the Mass, come to Mass. It’s the greatest gift Jesus gave us. It’s his own Body and Blood broken and poured out for us. But always participate fully: receive him regularly into your own body. The Mass is incomplete unless we do this”.

When it came time for Communion, Solanus’ joy was completely shattered: not one parishioner came up to receive Christ’s Body and Blood into their own bodies! Holding the sacred host before the people, he even begged the people, “Come to Jesus! He longs to come to you!” Still no one responded. Reluctantly, he returned the ciborium to the tabernacle. He tried to soothe his disappointment by hoping that “they had received at earlier Masses.”

In some ways Solanus should not have been shocked by this experience. After all, it was 1937, and even though in 1905 St. Pius X had tried to make frequent (and even daily) Communion more possible, most Catholics still believed that while they were obligated to attend Mass every week, it was improper to receive Communion unless you had no stain of sin whatsoever on your soul. Solanus was constantly grieved by this lack of understanding of the Eucharist. He would say, ”Frequent Communion brings peace into a family and into the soul. It fosters faith in God and heavenly relationships with all God’s dear ones in heaven.”

In this (as in many other ways) Solanus – who was considered by his professors to be deficient in theological understanding – was perfectly in tune not only with the message of Scripture but also with what the Council Fathers of Vatican II would proclaim later on for the entire Church. Read what they say in their 1963 document on the Sacred Liturgy, and as you see, how closely their words echo the very words Solanus used in preaching to the parishioners of Prescott, 25 years before (no. 48):

“The church earnestly desires that Christ’s faithful, when present at this mystery of faith, should not be there as strangers or silent spectators. On the contrary, through a good understanding of the rites and prayers they should take part in the sacred action conscious of what they are doing, with devotion and full collaboration. They should be instructed by God’s word and nourished at the table of the Lord’s Body. By offering the Immaculate Victim not only through the hands of the priest but also with him, they should learn to offer themselves”.

Can you imagine the joy – after his Prescott disappointment – these Vatican II words would have given Blessed Solanus? Following both Solanus and Vatican II, let us continue to “Do this in memory of me!”