The road to sainthood can be a long process or a relatively short one. In the case of Saint Bede, the Catholic theologian, he died in 735 but had to wait 1,164 years before he was declared a saint. Other saints have been canonized very quickly, like Saint John Paul II who was declared a saint just 6 years after his death. No matter how long or short the process takes though, it always follows these same four steps:
Step 1: Receiving the Title of “Servant of God”
The official process of canonization, called a Cause, does not begin until five years after the death of the candidate. This period of time permits the Church to verify whether the candidate enjoys a true and widespread reputation of holiness and of intercessory prayer. When a Cause is officially recognized by Rome, the candidate receives the title “Servant of God.” Father Solanus was named “Servant of God” in 1982.
Step 2: Receiving the Title of “Venerable”
Rome investigates the candidate’s life of faith, spirituality and relationship to God and others. So when it has been proven that they have led a virtuous life to a heroic degree, they receive the title of Venerable. Blessed Solanus received this title in 1995. The church then suggests that the followers pray to the candidate asking for their intercession to God for blessings in their own lives or those of their loved ones. In our case, the Cause of Bl. Solanus documents reports of any exceptional favors received, which might be acclaimed as miraculous. If evidence can be shown and proven as being miraculous or unexplainable, then the case can be presented to Rome as a possible miracle to further the process.
Step 3: Receiving the Title of “Blessed”
En este caso, se investigó el favor denunciado y la Iglesia lo aceptó como milagroso por intercesión del entonces venerable Solanus. El Papa Francisco reconoció este milagro en mayo de 2017. Esto permitió la veneración pública de él como una persona santa y santa y con ello recibió el título de "Beato." Con esta declaración, se le reconoció como alguien que está en el cielo, en unión con Dios. Tras este decreto, ahora se permiten las oraciones en misa y las devociones litúrgicas a él, pidiendo su continua intercesión ante Dios por las necesidades del pueblo de Dios. El decreto oficial de beatificación está fechado el 11 de noviembre de 2017, y su beatificación se celebró el 18 de noviembre de ese año en el Ford Field de Detroit con 70.000 asistentes.
Step 4: Receiving the Title of “Saint”
The fourth step is to attain the title of Saint. Another healing has to be investigated and approved in the same manner as above to attain Sainthood.
The road to sainthood for Bl. Solanus Casey is paved with 87 years of giving. As he lay dying, Fr. Solanus said to Fr. Gerald Walker, OFM Cap., “I looked on my whole life as giving, and I want to give until there is nothing left of me to give. So I prayed that, when I come to die, I might be perfectly conscious, so that with a deliberate act I can give my last breath to God.” At 11:00 the next morning, on the 53rd anniversary of his first Mass, suddenly Bl. Solanus opened his eyes wide, stretched out his arms and said clearly, “I give my soul to Jesus Christ.” He willingly gave his last breath to God.
At the funeral Mass, Fr. Gerald said, “His was a life of service and love for people like me and you. When he himself was not sick, he nevertheless suffered with and for you that were sick. When he was not physically hungry, he hungered with people like you. He had a divine love for people. He loved people for what he could do for them – and for God, through them.”