Grace in Suffering

Father Solanus Guild Reflection by Br. Ben Joseph, OFM Cap. – September 04, 2025

It was only after my arrival in Detroit that I came to know more about Blessed Solanus. One day, a theme for a reflection I was writing was, “how Solanus looked at the suffering he confronted in his life”. I am happy to share my reflection with you on two incidents that happened in Solanus’ life that helped shaped this view.

When Solanus was assigned at the Capuchin parish of the Sacred Heart in Yonkers, he happily accepted the work of the sacristan and the director of the altar boys, and then as the porter or doorkeeper because he was ordained as a “simplex priest”. This work was usually done by the unordained friars but Solanus was happy to accept this work. As a new priest with lots of enthusiasm and vigor he must have dreamt of a fruitful time after his ordination. But he accepted it under obedience and set apart all dreams of his priestly life. He was optimistic and so much so through this work that he took privilege to take care of the church and the altar. As an altar boy, I too, was blessed by the Lord to stand near to the tabernacle for many years. I remember the words of my mother, “You are privileged to be near to Jesus with the priest in the Holy of Holies”. I am sure working so close to the Blessed Sacrament encouraged Solanus to develop an intense love for the Eucharist. Look at Solanus! Is he not telling us suffering is a blessing?

In 1956, when Solanus experienced serious health problems, the provincial superior at the time decided to send Solanus from Huntington, Indiana to St. Bonaventure Monastery in Detroit. Solanus always spent his life caring for the poor and the sick. Now the time had come for him to take care of his own health. He was asked to take complete rest and have no contact with people. It was a heartbreaking decision and difficult for Solanus. The friars tried to keep his presence secret, but who can cover the “light” with a jar or puts it under a bed (Ref. Lk.8:16)? The light and fragrance of Solanus spread all around. He was longing to be with his people, to listen to them, console them and to pray for them, but he remained obedient to his superiors. It was only after obtaining permission that he came out to his people, forgetting his own needs – yet another example of suffering and obedience. Solanus told people to “look ahead with hope, and thank God ahead of time because God is so good”. He tasted it in his life and he tells us to taste the same in our lives.

There are situations in our lives where we are cut off from the opportunity to do our work or to enjoy our life. In accepting this challenge to suffer bravely for a better cause, life has a meaning up to the last moment, and it retains this meaning literally to the end.