Short Summary: Thousands of healings attributed to Solanus Casey and enrollment in his association.
Details
Location: Detroit, United States
Year: 1957
Prayer: O God, I adore You. I praise You. I love You. I give You my heart and my life. Help me to be patient in trials, to trust in Your plan, and to seek Your guidance in all things.
Verse: And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. -James 5:15
Full Story
Solanus Casey, a Capuchin friar and priest, is renowned for his ministry of healing over many decades. Despite his strong desire to serve God, Casey faced significant challenges in his early life, particularly with his education. Although he was considered academically unfit for the traditional priesthood, he was ordained in 1904 as a simplex priest. This designation allowed him to celebrate Mass but restricted him from hearing confessions or preaching doctrinal matters. Throughout his years at St. Bonaventure Monastery in Detroit, letters recounted miraculous cures attributed to his prayers. The friars at the monastery have preserved over six thousand of these testimonies, which represent only a fraction of the healing cases from throughout the city. Many reports originated from individuals enrolled in the Capuchin Order's “Seraphic Mass Association” (now known as the Capuchin Mission Association), where enrollees committed to deeper spiritual practices (such as regular attendance at Mass). Below is a sample of the log kept by the Capuchin community: March 8, 1925 – Mrs. Stella Sherwin, 47, from McKeesport, Pa., suffering from gall stones when, on Feb. 10, her daughter, living in Detroit, enrolled her in S.M.S. and sent her the certificate. The time of her cure corresponded with that of the issuance of the certificate. July 26, 1926 – Russel Jay, 17, …49 inches tall is enrolled …(non-Catholic). Asks Fr. Solanus to “make me grow.” Jan. 2, 1927 – Today Russel Jay reported he grew 4 ½ inches – 1st change in 12 years – Now developing normally. Oct. 12, 1931 – Mrs. Mary E. Reynolds, 59, of Clinton, Ont. 17 years with epileptic seizures. Enrolled about July 25th. Has not had a shadow of an attack since. Deo Gratias. Dec. 9, 1932 – Doraine Innes, 8, of Montreal. At 4 had meningitis of brain – then paralysis and curvature of spine and cross-eyed. Enrolled in 1930. Since day of enrollment has been able to walk without crutches. August 8, 1935 – Floyd McSweyn, now 24, of Merrill, Mich. In May 1933, fell 18 feet to cement floor, received to all reckoning fatal skull fracture. His mother tells us today that Father assured her “the boy will be better inside of five hours”. [He was] blind and dumb and totally paralyzed at time mother phoned. …Completely and permanently recovered – save hearing in one ear. Dec. 29, 1937 0 John Charles Kulbacki, 6, blind since 3 weeks old; was enrolled in S.M.A. 6 weeks ago. On Xmas Day when at “Crib” here in Church, was almost frightened as he exclaimed – pointing to the lighted “crib”: “Look, Mama.” Deo Gratias. Nov. 19, 1938 – Thanks – Marlene, 6, was inward bleeder [note: hemophiliac] before she came. …A year ago was prayed for and enrolled – had 5 hemorrhages day before – has never bled since. Deo Gratias. Oct. 27, 1943 – Patrick McCarthy, 44, …lip cancer. Threatened starvation. Nov. 9 Dr. Wm. Koch …hardly able to speak from emotion at the wonderful improvement. Jan. 7, 1945, Robert Hamilton, 44, enrolled last Wed. expecting brain tumor operation on Friday. Drs. Who had X-rayed his head were astounded at finding no tumor.