The cardinal said Solanus Casey's Irish family had "profound Catholic convictions" that made faith for him "a very precious inheritance for facing the difficulties of life."
Blessed Solanus had a sense of the presence of God's providence, "not only in prayer, liturgy and study, but also in the daily events of family life." The cardinal noted Casey's prayer in front of the tabernacle, his devotion to Mary, his recitation of the rosary, and his reception of the sacraments which gave him "security and courage to face the future."
"His favorite sons were the poor the sick, the indigent, the homeless," said the cardinal. "He always fasted in order to give them their own lunch."
There was a time when Solanus Casey's Depression-era soup kitchen ran out of food when hundreds were still hungry. The priest simply came forward and prayed the "Our Father," and soon a baker knocked at the door with a large basketful of bread and other supplies.
"When the people saw this, they began to cry with emotion," said the cardinal. "Fr. Solanus simply stated: 'See? God provides. No one will suffer, if we put our trust in divine providence'."
The cardinal acknowledged a defect in Casey's life: he was a bad musician.
"For this reason, after his first failure in the community, with simplicity and humility, in order not to disturb his neighbors on Sunday evening, he went to the chapel and played Irish religious songs in front of the tabernacle," Cardinal Amato said. "The Lord listened to him patiently, because our blessed was lacking in music, but not in virtue."
At the close of Mass, Fr. Mauro Johri, general minister of the Capuchin Franciscans, said the beatification is "A day of celebration for Capuchins throughout the world"
Archbishop Allen Henry Vigneron of Detroit asked Cardinal Amato to thank Pope Francis on behalf of the archdiocese's faithful.
"Please let him know that we are grateful beyond measure that he has judged father Solanus worthy of the rank of 'blessed'," the archbishop said. "Tell him we are committed anew to imitate Blessed Solanus by witnessing to Christ's mercy. The field hospital of mercy is open her in Detroit."
The close of the Mass included prayers for the canonization of Blessed Solanus Casey.
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