Father Solanus Casey, a Catholic priest who served Detroiters from the St. Bonaventure monastery on the city’s east side, died in 1957 but many still feel the impact of his service. When Casey passed away at age 86, 10,000 people came to pay their respects. 

“They feel his presence,” said Brother Steven Kropp, Director of the Solanus Casey Center, “His oneness with people and his desire to participate in their life somehow.” 

Casey was elevated to the status of Blessed by the Vatican in 2017 and he is one step away from being named a saint. Casey would become the first male born in the United States to attain sainthood, which could come at any time Kropp believes. “I truly believe it’s going to happen… It’ll happen sooner than later,” he said.

Casey came from humble beginnings, growing up in Wisconsin. He’d worked as a streetcar conductor, bricklayer and a prison guard before joining the priesthood. But there he was not initially well-regarded. He was held back from duties other priests usually took on.   

“So instead of being in the confessional for three or four minutes with somebody he would spend as much time as anybody needed at the front desk,” Brother Kropp said. “Anyone who came, when they were in front of him, he was their full attention.”  

Casey’s reputation grew. He served not only in Detroit but spent years in New York and Indiana before returning to St. Bonaventure in Detroit’s Islandview neighborhood. 

“Solanus identified closely with the average person. He said himself his two greatest loves were the sick and the poor,” Kropp said. 

In the decades since Casey’s passing, there have reportedly been a number of miraculous events connected to people who have prayed at his tomb, which can be seen at the Solanus Casey Center attached to the monastery. 

One Detroit’s Bill Kubota visited the Solanus Casey Center to learn about Casey’s life, legacy and potential elevation to sainthood.

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