Blessed Solanus Casey – Son of St. Francis of Assisi

Father Solanus Guild Reflection by Br. Dan Crosby, OFM Cap. – September 27, 2024

The month of October is special for Franciscans because of the feast of our Father, St. Francis. On the evening of October 3 we celebrate his Transitus (his passing over from this life); on October 4 we celebrate his entrance into heavenly glory. All of us know our brother Blessed Solanus Casey was a Capuchin Franciscan, but few of us realize the many similarities between him and his patron Saint Francis. Let’s look at some:

Their temperaments (natural dispositions) are similar. Francis was extremely intelligent but never intellectual. He did well in his early schooling (taught in his own language) but never really enjoyed studies, preferring and trusting the deeper knowledge of the heart.  Solanus did NOT do well in studies (taught in German, not his language) and was deemed intellectually inferior, ordained a “simplex” priest unable to hear confessions or preach publicly. After his death graphologists studied his handwriting and concluded his IQ was at least 135. His writings indicate great intelligence but even greater wisdom.

Both their conversions began with a response to violence. Francis initially was drawn to the mystique of knighthood but became disillusioned by the violence of war after fighting in Assisi’s battle with Perugia and spending a year as a prisoner in a dungeon. It was the beginning of his conversion but not a definitive change. Barney Casey felt no such mystique but became disillusioned by his life as a streetcar conductor when he saw on the tracks a drunken sailor violently stabbing a young woman. It marked the beginning of his conversion, but unlike Francis, it marked a definitive change.

Both became totally absorbed in God’s goodness and mercy, not their greatness or sinfulness. Both Francis and Solanus were keenly aware of their sinfulness/weakness but never wallowed in it. Francis would say “Let us desire nothing else, let us wish for nothing else; let nothing else please us or cause us delight except our Creator, Redeemer and Savior, who is the fullness of good, all good, every good, the true and supreme Good.” In our times, how often people have shared stories of how Solanus would say over and over — to the point of bursting into tears: “God is so good, God is so good!”

Above everything else, both desired to be a “Lesser Brother” like Jesus – and were perceived that way by everyone. Francis could never get over the poverty and humility of God in becoming human, in living and dying for us, in kneeling before us to wash our sinful feet, in becoming bread and wine for us to eat and drink. That we would have such a brother! It’s why he wanted to be “Brother” Francis to everyone and everything. Though Solanus was “Father,” people experienced him as Brother, for he was “Brother” Porter, welcoming with his smile and eyes all who were poor or sick, Catholic or not, white or black.

Both were filled with peace and joy in the midst of heavy afflictions. Francis suffered from painful stomach problems and a blinding illness of the eyes. Unable to bear the light of the sun, he still sang out: “Be praised my Lord for Brother Sun through whom you light up the day!” At the end of his life Solanus’ whole body was wracked with pain from bleeding eczema. When asked where he hurt, he admitted, “My whole body hurts. Thanks be to God. Thanks be to God!” A little later, stretching out his arms, he uttered his last words: ”I give my soul to Jesus Christ!”

This October we’re filled with gratitude for our Father St Francis and followers like Blessed Solanus; their lives reflect so beautifully Francis’ own Gospel life.  As Solanus would say, “Let us learn from them!”