Description Blessed Solanus Casey is the first male American to be canonized (St Elizabeth Ann Seton was the first female) Born in Wisconsin in 1870, he served during his religious life mostly in Detroit, but also Indiana and New York. After leaving his childhood home, Solanus (who was then called Bernard) worked as a prison guard where he befriended many of the inmates, and talked to them about God and life. But soon he would witness a murder, which changed everything. He left his job and entered the seminary, sure he would become a priest. At that time all the classes were taught in German or Latin, neither of which he knew, so naturally he did really bad, failing out, in fact. With advice that he should enter religious life and try to become a priest there, he entered the Capuchin Franciscan order (same as Padre Pio), went through there seminary as well, but for the same reasons as before, didn’t pass. They ordained him a simplex priest, which means he could say Mass, but could not give homilies or hear confessions. Left as the lowly doorkeeper to the monastery, Solanus greeted and aided everyone who passed through. Soon though, people would line up around the corner, just to speak with him. So what happened? His quiet sanctity, and love of listening, drew everyone to him. And many, many, many miracles were attributed to his intercession while he was alive. And even after his death in 1957, miracles have been flooding in. One has been approved towards his canonization which is why he is a Blessed. (The canonization process is long and complex. And fascinating.)
