Spectacularly Unspectacular

I pray that God is helping you to be the person God calls you to be. The spirituality of Blessed Solanus has been a blessing for all of us. He was a saintly man who is not just an inspiration, but also a practical example of Christian living. The treasure of Solanus’ spirituality is that his example is one that we can follow: he welcomed, listened, prayed with people, and then he asked them what he could do for them. He did this in a manner that was extraordinary, but we, in our own ordinary way, can follow that example. Our blessed brother in the Lord did not do spectacular things like founding a religious order, or preaching to thousands, or dying a martyr; no, he answered the door and treated the people who came in with love and respect. You and I are called to be that kind of a worker in the Kingdom of God.

Thousands of pilgrims a month come here because of his powerful intercessory prayer; hoping for healing of body, mind, or spirit. The experience here is much like that which the apostles experienced with Jesus, namely that people in pain come looking for relief. Let us encourage ourselves, and those we meet, to look for the deeper healing of our souls, uniting ourselves with God. As we pray with Blessed Solanus, may his example become part of our lives.  May we join him in promoting the eternal salvation of our brothers and sisters. In these times when so many have drifted away, not just from the Catholic Church, but from all formal religion, I suggest that we use the pain and confusion that people experience as a tool to point them to God who heals us personally and communally in body mind and spirit. We join with Blessed Solanus in seeing that the will of God be accomplished in the lives of those who come through or doors.

David Preuss, OFM. Cap