2024 Awardee
We are pleased to announce the winner of the inaugural Blessed Solanus Casey Essay Prizes.
Br. Gregory Armstrong, OFM Cap. of the Denver-based Capuchin Province of St. Conrad and a student at the Oblate School Theology has been awarded the inaugural Prize in the graduate student category. Br. Gregory’s essay, Blessed Solanus Casey’s Pastoral Care: A model of Marian referral, deals with the day-to-day pastoral care of Blessed Solanus Casey during his life and ministry, and his intentional referral of certain spiritual matters to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, to whom Solanus held an intense devotion.
“As Solanus would say, ‘Thanks be to God – Deo Gratias,’” said Br. Gregory. “I’m nearing the completion of my studies… and it’s just a joy really to be able to write about Blessed Solanus so that people can come to know my brother better.”
The winning essay was selected by a jury made up of women and men, lay people as well as clergy and religious, steeped in the spirituality of Blessed Solanus. The chair of the jury is Rev. Edward Foley, Capuchin, vice-postulator of the Cause for Canonization of Blessed Solanus Casey and award-winning author and celebrated preacher. Foley is the Duns Scotus Professor Emeritus of Spirituality and Retired Professor of Liturgy and Music at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. “Blessed Solanus Casey’s legacy continues to inspire reflection on what it means to live a virtuous life in modern times,” said Rev. Foley. “This essay offers fresh insight into his life of holiness and service, bringing us closer to understanding the profound simplicity of his faith.”
The jury did not select an awardee in either the undergraduate or younger scholar (under 40) categories for this year.
The Man
Bernard Casey (1870-1957) was the son of Irish immigrants who experienced a vocational conversion after witnessing an act of violence. After failing out of diocesan seminary, he entered the Capuchins in 1897 where he took the name Francis Solanus. His continuing struggles with studies ultimately led to his ordination as a simplex priest in 1904: deprived of faculties to preach publicly, hear confessions, preside at weddings, or anoint the dying. Instead he was appointed to more menial tasks such as sacristan, director of altar boys, and eventually the monastery porter responsible for answering the door. Soon Fr. Solanus became the reason why people came to the door. His renown as a gentle guide and healer spread widely. When he died in 1957, over 20,000 people paid their respects with a legacy of literally thousands of reports of healings and favors received through him. Named “Servant of God” in 1982 and “Venerable” in 1995, he was declared blessed in 2017: the first U.S. born male to have a miracle officially recognized by Rome. His beautification in Detroit drew over 70,000 faithful and an online global audience estimated at over 250 million. The Solanus Center in Detroit, where he is entombed, regularly draws over 100,000 pilgrims annually.
The Purpose of the Prizes
These essay prizes are part of a larger effort to stimulate fresh interest in and study of this unique “American Blessed.” The target audience for the prizes are students (undergraduate and graduate) and younger scholars (under 40).