Posted on 12/04/2014 5:03:16 PM PST by NYer
Saint_Mary_Magdalen_Church_(Brighton,_Michigan)_-_Solanus_Casey_Shrine"
Sixteen-month-old Elizabeth Fanning lies listlessly in her mothers arms. Anxiously, drawn-faced Mrs. Fanning coaxes her child to take even a spoonful of the liver soup recommended by doctors. But although Elizabeths swollen belly and twiglike limbs make her look like a starvation victim, the lethargic baby has no interest in food of any kind. Little Betsy, as her parents call her, has a fatal disease in 1940: the blood cancer known as leukemia. What makes her case especially tragic is that the illness may be the result of new medical technology. Born in August 1938, Elizabeth appeared normal. But, three or four days later, a thick red growth appeared on her cheek, while a red birthmark marred the childs neck. To stop the growth and prevent the spread of the unsightly birthmark, a series of radium treatments were given. The cheek growth disappeared, and the birthmarks spread was halted. But after this success the child simply stopped growing normally. She seemed lifeless. Even her hair drooped and grew no more.
A specialists deadly diagnosis was only confirmed by a trip from the Fannings Dearborn, Michigan home to Minnesotas renowned Mayo Clinic. The babys spleen should be removed, all doctors consulted agree, but the Mayo physicians in Rochester warn that the baby is already too weak to live through such an operation.
The rich nutrition of liver soup may buy a little time, but the doctors all warn Mrs. Fanning there can be but one outcome to childhood leukemia. The mother must prepare herself that she may simply find the child dead in her crib at any time. So sure is Elizabeths death that her doctors in Dearborn waive any further fees.
Then Mrs. Fannings aunt, who belongs to a spiritual group affiliated with St. Bonaventures Franciscan Capuchin monastery in Detroit suggests little Betsy be taken to a lively, seventy-year-old priest there called Fr. Solanus Casey.
Hes a saint, and he heals people all the time, Mr. and Mrs. Fanning are told. With no earthly possibility for their dying daughters recovery, the Fannings drive to Detroit. They carry the child, who at a year and a half cannot walk, up to the door of St. Bonaventures.
The Franciscan who greets them so warmly wears the Capuchin brown robe, its pointed hood thrown back on his skinny shoulders. In spite of his untrimmed white beard, the old priest has the shining face of a happy child, his blue eyes as innocent as their babys.
As he listens to their personal tragedy, Fr. Solanuss face radiates loving compassion. In spite of the many other sufferers waiting to speak with him, the Fannings sense that he is totally and peacefully at their disposal. The only thing, he assures them, that can stop the power of God at work in our lives is our own doubt and fear. He urges the parents to make concrete acts that will foster their confidence in Gods goodness. Let them try to overcome their sadness and anxiety, which frustrates Gods merciful designs. He even recommends they thank God now for what He will do in the future, whatever that may be. This kind of confidence in God puts Him on the spot, he explains with a grin. He tells them of some healings he has witnessed, cases just as hopeless as their daughters. The Fannings enroll Betsy in the Capuchin Orders Seraphic Mass Association to benefit from hundreds of Mass prayers with a donation to the missions. Each also makes a personal promise to God of a spiritual nature.
Now, in his unusually high-pitched yet whisper-soft voice (the leftover, it is believed, of childhood diphtheria, which killed two of his sisters), Fr. Solanus talks to listless Elizabeth for a few minutes. Then he says matter-of-factly, Youre going to be all right, Elizabeth. Ignoring her skeletal appendages and distended stomach, he hands her a piece of candy as if the child he sees is well.
Elizabeth Fanning has been leukemic almost her entire short life. She has never done the things babies do, any more than she has ever attained the rosy looks of normal babyhood. But as her parents begin the drive home to Dearborn, Elizabeth has a new alertness. For the first time in her life, she watches everything with interest. She smiles. She sits up.
Ping!
**It was this knowledge of himself as one who needs conversion that gave Solanus compassion for others. His awareness of his human status as a sinner kept him safely anchored in humility, while his experience of Gods grace in his weakness continually deepened his trust in God so that by his later years Solanus was uniquely unshaken by doubt, anxiety, or fear, says Crosby.**
Such a wonderful story of his life. I had no idea how holy he was.
In before the claims that all the healings were faked because Catholics don’t believe in Jesus.
Thank you for posting this.
I know people who have met him and some of his family live in NJ. I posted an article about it.
Bump and Bookmark
A young woman who knew Casey passed her final college exams with flying colors, and went to celebrate with him. Just outside the front door, she bought two ice cream cones. It was a scorching hot day. When she got inside, Fr. Casey said, “Let’s go talk in the garden. He put the two ice cream cones in a desk drawer. About a half-hour later, they returned to the office, and Fr. Casey took out the ice cream cones, “still cold, still frozen,” according to his guest.
...thank God now for what He will do in the future, whatever that may be. This kind of confidence in God puts Him on the spot, he explains with a grin.
Something that many of us need to hear, and practice. It is hard to have confidence when many things go wrong, time and time again. His is a great lesson.
That kind of insouciant confidence in God’s love is a divine charism.
Praised be Jesus Christ, Now and Forever!
That is a mouth full of $200 words!
However, their veracity is not in doubt.
However, their veracity is not in doubt.
I agree. This article is an interesting view of Fr. Solanus, who is so similar to Canada's Brother Andre. His self-abnegation opened the door to the gift of faith that manifested dramatically in healing.
I'm reminded of the simplicity of St. Clare of Assisi.
The Cause for Sainthood
Canonization is the complex and lengthy process by which someone receives the title of “Saint” in the Roman Catholic Church. This process has taken many forms over the centuries and was most recently revised by Pope John Paul II. The current process consists of 4 stages: Servant of God, Venerable, Blessed, and Saint. The Servant of God Solanus Casey was named Venerable on July 11, 1995 by Pope John Paul II. With the support of the Guild, the Cause is currently pursuing the stage of “Blessed” (beatification) for Venerable Solanus.
The word “canonization” comes from the celebration of the Mass. What we now call the “Eucharistic Prayer” was formerly known as the “Canon of the Mass.” Therefore, to say that one is “canonized” means that his/her name is able to be included in the list of saints in the “Canon of the Mass.” The term is still in use today since that ancient rule-of-thumb still applies. When a person is canonized or named a Saint, the Church may celebrate the Saint’s feast day and the name may be included in the Eucharistic Prayer.
After his death, the fame of Fr. Solanus continued to spread and many people visited his simple grave in the Friars’ Cemetery. Three years after his death many friends formed the Fr. Solanus Guild to preserve his memory and ideals. The Guild sparked the movement to present Fr. Solanus as a candidate for Sainthood.
Fr. Solanus has achieved the first two stages in the Steps Toward Sainthood: Servant of God, then the title of Venerable which was bestowed July 11, 1995. Next is beatification where Venerable Solanus would earn the title of Blessed after approval of a true miracle. We are working with our superiors in Rome on a few cases that have potential. One in particular looks hopeful, but there is nothing official to report. The process is lengthy and complex, so we honor it by our patience and diligent prayers for those in Rome making the decisions.
The saint of the Detroit area!
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