Niraj Warikoo

Detroit Free Press

A beloved priest from Detroit is one step closer to becoming the first American-born male Catholic saint.

On Thursday, church officials announced that the Rev. Solanus Casey, a Capuchin friar who died 60 years ago in Detroit, will be beatified, saying that a woman's skin disease was healed through his intercession.

Father Solanus was a member of the Capuchin Franciscan Order of St. Joseph and helped found the popular Capuchin Soup Kitchen in Detroit. He will be one of only three Catholics born in the U.S. with the title of "blessed," which is the level before becoming a saint.

Father Solanus "always said: God will answer our prayers," said Archbishop of Detroit Allen Vigneron, the religious leader of 1.3 million Catholics in metro Detroit. "This is the great message ... that we should trust in God, whatever our trials are, especially for the poor and sick."

More: Life of Father Solanus Casey celebrated in Detroit

Michigan's Jim Harbaugh receives 'marching orders' from Pope Francis

After making the announcement at the Solanus Casey Center on Detroit's east side, Vigneron knelt in prayer at the tomb of Casey, a popular site for Catholics who look to him for healing of illnesses. On the top of the tomb were slips of paper with requests from people seeking his intercession.

Pope John Paul II had declared Father Solanus in 1995 to be venerable, the title that signifies the second step to sainthood. And on Thursday, Pope Francis said that a miracle healed a woman because of Casey's intercession, which means he will be given the title of blessed after a Detroit ceremony to be held in coming months. There are currently three Catholic saints born in the U.S., all women.

"The beatification of Father Solanus Casey is an incomparable grace for the church in the Archdiocese of Detroit and for the whole community of southeast Michigan,” Vigneron said in a statement. “He is an inspiration to all us Catholics — and to all — of the power of grace to transform one’s life.”

According to Catholic leaders in Detroit, the woman who was said to be healed by Casey's intervention lives outside the U.S. and was visiting Casey's tomb while on a pilgrimage. They did not give her name or what country she lives in, saying she didn't want to bring attention to herself. Like the woman, Father Solanus suffered from a skin disease that caused him pain, said Catholic officials.

Father David Preuss, director of the Solanus Casey Center, said the woman had an "incurable genetic skin disease" that caused her great discomfort.

"It was a congenital condition she had her whole life," he said.

The woman started to pray for others while at the tomb in Detroit, but a "voice in her head said, pray for yourself," Preuss said.

"The cure was instantaneous," Preuss said. "The medical doctors in her home country, Detroit and Rome all attested that there was no scientific explanation for the cure."

Preuss said that "in a day of secularization, it's extremely important we see signs of God's presence in our midst. It's a continuation of the gospel message."`

Vigneron said the confirmation by doctors is "a guarantee we're not running a scam."

"We thank God for this great day," said Father Michael Sullivan, a Capuchin friar. “Known for his compassion and simplicity, he drew many thousands to God. “

Sullivan and other leaders at the center spoke to a packed crowd inside the center, which contains exhibits on Father Solanus' life and life-size sculptures of human rights advocates such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

"Thousands have received favorable response to their prayers" to Father Solanus asking for his help, said Father Larry Webber, a Capuchin friar. Now, he hopes that "the goal of sainthood may be achieved quickly."

In order for that to happen, another miracle has to be declared.

Father Solanus was known for taking the time to listen to people's worries, the Free Press wrote in January.

Born in 1870 as Bernard Francis Casey to immigrants from Ireland who had 16 children, Father Solanus struggled in seminary, but became known for his caring and love for others. In the Casey Center, an exhibit depicting his life's journey in Wisconsin, Michigan and New York — where he spent 20 years — can be seen. He was given the name "Solanus" when he joined the Franciscan order in Detroit.

Casey was one of the key founders of the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, which got its start in 1929 in Detroit during the Great Depression. Unemployed workers would come to the soup kitchen begging for food, and Father Solanus would give them large sandwiches and cups of coffee.

Today, the soup kitchen is one of the most well-known in Detroit, serving 60,000 meals a month, one third of them to children. It also distributes about 250,000 pounds of food a month and, every Christmas season, gives 20,000 toys to children.

At the announcement at the center Thursday, Vigneron led a crowd in a prayer for the canonization of Father Solanus.

"If it is your will, bless us with the canonization of Father Solanus so that others may imitate and carry on his love for all the poor and suffering of our world."

Father Dan Crosby knew Father Solanus and says he was a saint regardless of whether he becomes formally declared as one.

"This man was holy," he said. "He was a saint. ... He truly loved people. It was genuine. It just radiated from him."

Contact Niraj Warikoo: nwarikoo@freepress.com or 313-223-4792. Follow him on Twitter @nwarikoo

The steps to Catholic sainthood

The Catholic Church has thousands of saints, from the Apostles to St. Teresa of Calcutta, often known as Mother Teresa.

Here are the steps needed to become a saint, according to Catholic officials:

1. Servant of God

Usually, there is a waiting period of five years after someone dies before the process can begin. This can be waived in certain cases, such as for the late Pope John Paul II. The church has to verify whether the candidate has a widespread reputation of holiness and of intercessory prayer. Requires a review by theologians and witness testimony.

2. Venerable servant of God

The Pope has to accept the recommendations of the Cardinal Prefect of the Congregation that the candidate "exemplified the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity and the cardinal virtues of prudence, justice, fortitude and temperance." Casey was declared venerable in 1995.

3. Blessed

Beatification to be called blessed can be done by two routes: Pope declares the candidate is a martyr for his faith or proof of a miracle caused by the intercession of the candidate. For Father Solanus, it was the latter.

4. Saint

To become a saint, an additional miracle is needed that takes place after the candidate is declared blessed. After the investigation of the miracle, the Pope declares the saint is in heaven and worthy of public veneration by the church.

Source: Archdiocese of Detroit