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Thank God Ahead of Time: The Life and Spirituality of Solanus Casey
“Solanus Casey would never have considered himself a mystic but, paradoxically, his very insights about atheism point to his being so. Furthermore, he was not only a mystic, but a mystic in action: one who combined in himself the contemplative and active dimensions of the God-experience in such a way that he became a Christ-figure for many people.”—From Chapter Nine
Appointed by the Vatican as the “External Collaborator to the Relator” for the cause of canonization of Capuchin Father Solanus Casey, the first man born in the United States to be declared “Venerable” by the Catholic church, Michael Crosby gives us an inspiring and insightful story of one person’s unswerving faith in God’s abiding presence throughout the universe.
“For Solanus,” Crosby writes, “knowing God demanded a threefold response: appreciation, love, and service. Solanus wrote that everyone’s ‘purpose as a rational creature is to recognize and to know his Creator, so as to be able, intelligently to love him, confidently to hope in him, and gratefully to serve him.’”
Besides the gift of healing which brought happiness to many, Solanus Casey also used his gift of prophecy to encourage and challenge and to bring back hope to others. But the humble Capuchin’s greatest gift was charity—charity that not only characterized his happy relationship with God but that overflowed in the warm, caring, fraternal and even humorous way he related to his neighbor.
Appointed by the Vatican as the “External Collaborator to the Relator” for the cause of canonization of Capuchin Father Solanus Casey, the first man born in the United States to be declared “Venerable” by the Catholic church, Michael Crosby gives us an inspiring and insightful story of one person’s unswerving faith in God’s abiding presence throughout the universe.
“For Solanus,” Crosby writes, “knowing God demanded a threefold response: appreciation, love, and service. Solanus wrote that everyone’s ‘purpose as a rational creature is to recognize and to know his Creator, so as to be able, intelligently to love him, confidently to hope in him, and gratefully to serve him.’”
Besides the gift of healing which brought happiness to many, Solanus Casey also used his gift of prophecy to encourage and challenge and to bring back hope to others. But the humble Capuchin’s greatest gift was charity—charity that not only characterized his happy relationship with God but that overflowed in the warm, caring, fraternal and even humorous way he related to his neighbor.
288 pages, Paperback
First published March 15, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 13, 2017
Fr. Solanus Casey was an amazing man. He touched hundreds of lives through his counsel and healings. Although his superiors felt he was not smart enough to be given the faculties of preaching or hearing confessions, people would stand in line for hours to share their burdens with him and ask for his blessings.
"Thank God ahead of time."
"Gratitude is the first sign of a thinking, rational creature."
"We must be faithful to the present moment or we will frustrate the plan of God for our lives."
"What does it matter where we go? Wherever we go, won't we be serving God there? And wherever we go, won't we have Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament with us? Isn't that enough to make us happy?"
His humility in accepting direction from his superiors limiting his ability to perform the ordinary functions of a priest, combined with his obedience in accepting menial tasks to perform and to answer to would be subordinates is an inspiration to all of us, especially me.
God Bless Fr. Solanus and thank you for the work he has done for us.
"Thank God ahead of time."
"Gratitude is the first sign of a thinking, rational creature."
"We must be faithful to the present moment or we will frustrate the plan of God for our lives."
"What does it matter where we go? Wherever we go, won't we be serving God there? And wherever we go, won't we have Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament with us? Isn't that enough to make us happy?"
His humility in accepting direction from his superiors limiting his ability to perform the ordinary functions of a priest, combined with his obedience in accepting menial tasks to perform and to answer to would be subordinates is an inspiration to all of us, especially me.
God Bless Fr. Solanus and thank you for the work he has done for us.
March 19, 2013
While trying to choose a book to order nearly a month ago, I kept going over and over the list of possibilities. One book, Thank God Ahead of Time: The Life and Spirituality of Solanus Casey continued to beckon my attention. Sadly, I had never heard of the man before and I sought my son's input. Though he is only in fifth grade at his Catholic grade school, he knew a great deal about Fr. Solanus Casey and was quite shocked that I did not. I placed the order and anxiously awaited its arrival in our mailbox.
It has been quite some time since I have been able to read a good book of any substance. In addition to finishing up the Mystagogy portion of our RCIA program, I am also helping to care for my elderly grandmother who is struggling with dementia. I have been trying to keep up with my Bible study group assignments but even that has had to be put aside for now. Determined to read the book, I carried it with me wherever I went, hoping that I could grab a scant few minutes of reading time. I am glad I did.
Though the book was entirely about Fr. Solanus Casey, the person I learned the most about was myself. Having spoken with Bible study groups and our RCIA candidates year after year about holiness, I have never been able to truly grasp the possibility of it for myself. It sounds lovely and very righteous to say that we must die to ourselves, yet I have scarcely been able to catch a whisper of the true meaning of such wonderful words. I have at times thought about how much easier it must be for those who are called to the religious life, since they can more fully commit their full lives to God without the daily responsibilities of family life. Picturing myself behind a wooden screen, closed off from the world and spending all of my days with Jesus has brought me much joy on occasion. That is how a person of this world may try to catch a glimpse of how one can become holy, yet we are not called to a mere glimpse.
Bernard (Barney) Casey, Jr. was born sixth of sixteen children and was raised in a very devout, modest home in the rural Midwest United States. Hearing the call to the ordained Priesthood, Barney attended seminary for a time. He did not earn good marks and gave up on the idea of being a diocesan priest – or perhaps the diocesan priesthood gave up on him. After reluctantly contacting a Capuchin ‘monastery’ in Michigan, he soon joined their order believing that the Blessed Mother sent him there. That the Capuchins spoke primarily German was another obstacle placed before Frater Solanus (upon entering the novitiate, he was named after St. Francis Solanus). Enrolled in the Capuchin seminary, Frater Solanus once again struggled with his studies. After years of hard work and grappling with German and Latin, it was decided that Frater Solanus would be ordained, but not with full rights of the priesthood. He would be forbidden to hear confessions for life because his superiors feared he did not have a good enough understanding of the Germanic tongue.
How would Fr. Solanus Casey deal with being assigned as Porter in their community and unable to hear confessions? He responded with total submission and thanksgiving. He was the perfect image of someone dying to himself and accepting completely whatever God or his superiors asked of him. Not only did he accept it; he thanked God for it. When his order had a triennial chapter meeting and it was decided that Fr. Solanus would be moved to another house within the order, he quietly packed his bags and moved the very same day.
Fr. Solanus became quickly known as 'the holy priest' by all in the locations where he served. People of all backgrounds - Jews, atheists, Protestants, Catholics - would line up outside of the rectory office to see him. His kindness and willingness to listen to anyone, any time they showed up at his door, sometimes even making him miss a meal -- did not go unnoticed. Word began to spread about healings taking place after people met with Fr. Solanus. People would go to him with various problems ranging from a relative who had strayed from the Church or someone with a grave illness, to a couple whose marriage was in trouble. One of his superiors told Fr. Solanus to begin documenting his visitors and the disposition of their troubles. What was created was a long list of miracles and prophesies fulfilled, which Fr. Solanus would have assured anyone that it was the work of God alone. Each person who sought out Fr. Solanus was told that they must do something - some good work - so that their prayer would be answered. For some, it would be to give alms. For many, they were to read a book The Mystical City of God - a book which made an enormous impact upon Fr. Solanus. Yet others were told to attend Mass more often or enroll their loved one in the Seraphic Mass Association, or SMA. This was all part of thanking God for prayers answered - before He even answered them.
There are many marvelous accounts shared from letters and interviews throughout the book which help the reader gain great insight into the many good deeds of Fr. Solanus Casey. In his later years, Fr. Solanus had become quite well known. He had a skin problem which, when it flared up, would leave nothing but raw tissue exposed on both legs and others portions of his body as well. He would be admitted to the hospital where they would try to hide his location to the public because visitors would appear at his bedside seeking his prayers and counsel. Occasionally, a person would sneak in and though in physical agony, he would quietly and lovingly minister to their needs. It is said by all accounts that he never once complained, and when asked about where his pain was, he would call out in reply "all over, thanks be to God!"
I do not recall another book which touched me at the end so deeply that I wept. I wept not because the holy Priest died in the end, but because of how he died. He fully embraced the cross without reservation and with great joy. I'll spare you the details so that you too may be as touched as I was while reading the book. Oh, how I long to set aside my own sinfulness and fully abide in Jesus! Since finishing this book only a few days ago, I have found myself quoting something that Fr. Solanus Casey said or did on a daily basis. 'Offering it up' has taken on an entirely new meaning for me. It is no longer about merely suffering silently, but accepting whatever comes to me with joy and a renewed sense of hope in the many blessings God sends to us. As Fr. Solanus would say, “Deo gratias!”
Venerable Solanus Casey, pray for us!
It has been quite some time since I have been able to read a good book of any substance. In addition to finishing up the Mystagogy portion of our RCIA program, I am also helping to care for my elderly grandmother who is struggling with dementia. I have been trying to keep up with my Bible study group assignments but even that has had to be put aside for now. Determined to read the book, I carried it with me wherever I went, hoping that I could grab a scant few minutes of reading time. I am glad I did.
Though the book was entirely about Fr. Solanus Casey, the person I learned the most about was myself. Having spoken with Bible study groups and our RCIA candidates year after year about holiness, I have never been able to truly grasp the possibility of it for myself. It sounds lovely and very righteous to say that we must die to ourselves, yet I have scarcely been able to catch a whisper of the true meaning of such wonderful words. I have at times thought about how much easier it must be for those who are called to the religious life, since they can more fully commit their full lives to God without the daily responsibilities of family life. Picturing myself behind a wooden screen, closed off from the world and spending all of my days with Jesus has brought me much joy on occasion. That is how a person of this world may try to catch a glimpse of how one can become holy, yet we are not called to a mere glimpse.
Bernard (Barney) Casey, Jr. was born sixth of sixteen children and was raised in a very devout, modest home in the rural Midwest United States. Hearing the call to the ordained Priesthood, Barney attended seminary for a time. He did not earn good marks and gave up on the idea of being a diocesan priest – or perhaps the diocesan priesthood gave up on him. After reluctantly contacting a Capuchin ‘monastery’ in Michigan, he soon joined their order believing that the Blessed Mother sent him there. That the Capuchins spoke primarily German was another obstacle placed before Frater Solanus (upon entering the novitiate, he was named after St. Francis Solanus). Enrolled in the Capuchin seminary, Frater Solanus once again struggled with his studies. After years of hard work and grappling with German and Latin, it was decided that Frater Solanus would be ordained, but not with full rights of the priesthood. He would be forbidden to hear confessions for life because his superiors feared he did not have a good enough understanding of the Germanic tongue.
How would Fr. Solanus Casey deal with being assigned as Porter in their community and unable to hear confessions? He responded with total submission and thanksgiving. He was the perfect image of someone dying to himself and accepting completely whatever God or his superiors asked of him. Not only did he accept it; he thanked God for it. When his order had a triennial chapter meeting and it was decided that Fr. Solanus would be moved to another house within the order, he quietly packed his bags and moved the very same day.
Fr. Solanus became quickly known as 'the holy priest' by all in the locations where he served. People of all backgrounds - Jews, atheists, Protestants, Catholics - would line up outside of the rectory office to see him. His kindness and willingness to listen to anyone, any time they showed up at his door, sometimes even making him miss a meal -- did not go unnoticed. Word began to spread about healings taking place after people met with Fr. Solanus. People would go to him with various problems ranging from a relative who had strayed from the Church or someone with a grave illness, to a couple whose marriage was in trouble. One of his superiors told Fr. Solanus to begin documenting his visitors and the disposition of their troubles. What was created was a long list of miracles and prophesies fulfilled, which Fr. Solanus would have assured anyone that it was the work of God alone. Each person who sought out Fr. Solanus was told that they must do something - some good work - so that their prayer would be answered. For some, it would be to give alms. For many, they were to read a book The Mystical City of God - a book which made an enormous impact upon Fr. Solanus. Yet others were told to attend Mass more often or enroll their loved one in the Seraphic Mass Association, or SMA. This was all part of thanking God for prayers answered - before He even answered them.
There are many marvelous accounts shared from letters and interviews throughout the book which help the reader gain great insight into the many good deeds of Fr. Solanus Casey. In his later years, Fr. Solanus had become quite well known. He had a skin problem which, when it flared up, would leave nothing but raw tissue exposed on both legs and others portions of his body as well. He would be admitted to the hospital where they would try to hide his location to the public because visitors would appear at his bedside seeking his prayers and counsel. Occasionally, a person would sneak in and though in physical agony, he would quietly and lovingly minister to their needs. It is said by all accounts that he never once complained, and when asked about where his pain was, he would call out in reply "all over, thanks be to God!"
I do not recall another book which touched me at the end so deeply that I wept. I wept not because the holy Priest died in the end, but because of how he died. He fully embraced the cross without reservation and with great joy. I'll spare you the details so that you too may be as touched as I was while reading the book. Oh, how I long to set aside my own sinfulness and fully abide in Jesus! Since finishing this book only a few days ago, I have found myself quoting something that Fr. Solanus Casey said or did on a daily basis. 'Offering it up' has taken on an entirely new meaning for me. It is no longer about merely suffering silently, but accepting whatever comes to me with joy and a renewed sense of hope in the many blessings God sends to us. As Fr. Solanus would say, “Deo gratias!”
Venerable Solanus Casey, pray for us!
July 3, 2020
Most of the book is a telling of Fr Solanus Casey's life, and the last chapter is a digest of sorts of his spirituality, drawn mostly from the letters he wrote to people.
The story of his life was important to show the struggles that Fr Solanus faced, both before entering the religious life and during his decades as a Capuchin. It was encouraging to note that, even as people flocked to him for his advice and his blessing, some of his brother-friars were annoyed with him!
The last chapter is full of stories and quotes from Fr. Solanus. The next time I pick up this book I'll probably just read the last chapter as a refresher of sorts on Fr. Solanus.
Overall, it is a good book about a very holy person.
The story of his life was important to show the struggles that Fr Solanus faced, both before entering the religious life and during his decades as a Capuchin. It was encouraging to note that, even as people flocked to him for his advice and his blessing, some of his brother-friars were annoyed with him!
The last chapter is full of stories and quotes from Fr. Solanus. The next time I pick up this book I'll probably just read the last chapter as a refresher of sorts on Fr. Solanus.
Overall, it is a good book about a very holy person.
December 20, 2017
After attending Blessed Solanus Casey's Beatification Mass in Detroit in November of 2017, I needed to learn more about this man.
Blessed Solanus Casey is a name that every United States Catholic should know, especially for seminarians training to become servants of God.
Blessed Solanus Casey is a name that every United States Catholic should know, especially for seminarians training to become servants of God.
November 20, 2017
Finished it right before his Beatification. What a humble and Godly man. Thank God ahead of time. Blessed Solanus Casey pray for us.
November 22, 2017
A book that changed my life and my prayer life! Get to know America's newest Blessed (Nov 2017) and future Saint!
September 17, 2018
Loved reading about this saint in the making and love and depth of his faith. He has been a great guide in prayer for humility and learning to be more present to the moment Christ has put me in.
June 13, 2020
What an amazing life! If only I could be half the Christian that Solanus Casey was. This book was an inspiration as is Solanus.
October 14, 2013
I received “Thank God Ahead Of Time: The Life And Spirituality of Solanus Casey” (by Michael Crosby) through The Catholic Company’s book review program.
I’d never heard of Solanus Casey prior to reading a bit about him in “God’s Doorkeepers,” but he sounded so intriguing that I wanted to hear more. Solanus Casey was a priest in the Capuchin order, born in 1870 and died in 1957. He operated in New York City, Huntington, IN, and Detroit, and his chief responsibility during 60 years as a priest was to act as porter. In this capacity, he became the “face” of the order, and because of his demeanor, his patience and his kindness, shortly people began to line up to tell him anything that was troubling them, and to ask for his prayers. Before long, miraculous healings began to be reported by those who came to him for help.
Solanus Casey could read hearts, meaning he often knew exactly what to say, what to advise, what was not being said, or whether a person was holding back their true intention. Casey’s spirituality was anchored in gratitude, compassion, and love of the Eucharist.
Solanus Casey gets five stars, but the point of the review is to review the BOOK, not the man. So here goes:
The book is adapted from the research Crosby did for the Vatican when it investigated Casey for sainthood. (He’s now “venerable.”) As such, it’s thoroughly researched and footnoted, with none of the hagiographic sense of many saint-biographies. The style is balanced, almost academic but with none of the dryness. In fact, Casey’s humanity comes across foremost, along with compassion for him and those to whom he ministered. The text is very readable. Although there are hundreds of footnotes, most of them are citations and not clarifications (meaning you don’t have to keep flipping to the back of the book for the full story.)
Crosby does not hesitate to discuss some of Casey’s shortcomings, giving a well-rounded treatment to the man as a human being who lived within his culture and his time.
The best part, for me, was how Crosby chronicled some of the changes made in Casey’s spirituality over time. Too often we read about saints as if they were fully-formed by age twelve (unless they had a cataclysmic conversion experience) but Crosby notes at times that a certain trait was just in its beginning stages, or that such-and-such was the first notes of what would become one of the hallmarks of Casey’s later ministry. This documentation of his spiritual progress should be a comfort for all of us saints-in-training who know we have a long way to travel.
I highly recommend this book with five stars.
I’d never heard of Solanus Casey prior to reading a bit about him in “God’s Doorkeepers,” but he sounded so intriguing that I wanted to hear more. Solanus Casey was a priest in the Capuchin order, born in 1870 and died in 1957. He operated in New York City, Huntington, IN, and Detroit, and his chief responsibility during 60 years as a priest was to act as porter. In this capacity, he became the “face” of the order, and because of his demeanor, his patience and his kindness, shortly people began to line up to tell him anything that was troubling them, and to ask for his prayers. Before long, miraculous healings began to be reported by those who came to him for help.
Solanus Casey could read hearts, meaning he often knew exactly what to say, what to advise, what was not being said, or whether a person was holding back their true intention. Casey’s spirituality was anchored in gratitude, compassion, and love of the Eucharist.
Solanus Casey gets five stars, but the point of the review is to review the BOOK, not the man. So here goes:
The book is adapted from the research Crosby did for the Vatican when it investigated Casey for sainthood. (He’s now “venerable.”) As such, it’s thoroughly researched and footnoted, with none of the hagiographic sense of many saint-biographies. The style is balanced, almost academic but with none of the dryness. In fact, Casey’s humanity comes across foremost, along with compassion for him and those to whom he ministered. The text is very readable. Although there are hundreds of footnotes, most of them are citations and not clarifications (meaning you don’t have to keep flipping to the back of the book for the full story.)
Crosby does not hesitate to discuss some of Casey’s shortcomings, giving a well-rounded treatment to the man as a human being who lived within his culture and his time.
The best part, for me, was how Crosby chronicled some of the changes made in Casey’s spirituality over time. Too often we read about saints as if they were fully-formed by age twelve (unless they had a cataclysmic conversion experience) but Crosby notes at times that a certain trait was just in its beginning stages, or that such-and-such was the first notes of what would become one of the hallmarks of Casey’s later ministry. This documentation of his spiritual progress should be a comfort for all of us saints-in-training who know we have a long way to travel.
I highly recommend this book with five stars.
March 10, 2011
Favorite quotes:
"If we could only learn to appreciate the holy Faith and the innumerable blessings flowing from it and the blessings otherwise surround us; we should never have time to worry about anything."
"Why do we have discouragement as long as we have a spark of faith left?.....
Your failure, yes, is an indication of weakness of some kind somewhere. But if "the weak things of this world hath God chosen to confound the strong..." as Saint Paul so wonderfully assures us-and the history of religion abounds in examples and all creation says Amen-then why ever be discouraged: unless it be that our faith, more or less, weakens?
Why dear sister, you ought rather thank God for having given you such an opportunity to humble yourself and such a wonderful chance to foster humility-and by thanking him ahead of time for whatever crosses he may deign to caress you with, CONFIDENCE in his wisdom. Confidence in God-the very soul of prayer-hardly comes to any poor sinner like we all are, without trials and humiliations, and your failure, though simple and possibly single, has no doubt been quite a little cross, at least for a "little soul" to carry There is a little verse I am sure will profit you to keep in mind and ought to help you foster confidence in God: God condescends to use our powers, if we don't spoil his plans by ours. God's plans are always for the best: always wonderful. But most especially for the patient and the humble who trust in him are his plans unfathomably holy and sublime.
Let us therefore, not weaken. Let us hope when darkness seems to surround us. Let us thank him at all times under whatever circumstances. Thank him for our creation and our existence, thank him for everything-for his plans in the past that by our sins and our want of appreciation and patience have so often been frustrated and that he so often found necessary to change. Let us thank him for all this plans of the future-for trials and humiliations for as well as great joy and consolations; for sickness and whatever death he may design to plan; and with the inspired Psalmist let us all the creatures of the universe to help u s praise and adore him who is the Divine Beginning and the everlasting Good-the Alpha and the Omega.
"If we could only learn to appreciate the holy Faith and the innumerable blessings flowing from it and the blessings otherwise surround us; we should never have time to worry about anything."
"Why do we have discouragement as long as we have a spark of faith left?.....
Your failure, yes, is an indication of weakness of some kind somewhere. But if "the weak things of this world hath God chosen to confound the strong..." as Saint Paul so wonderfully assures us-and the history of religion abounds in examples and all creation says Amen-then why ever be discouraged: unless it be that our faith, more or less, weakens?
Why dear sister, you ought rather thank God for having given you such an opportunity to humble yourself and such a wonderful chance to foster humility-and by thanking him ahead of time for whatever crosses he may deign to caress you with, CONFIDENCE in his wisdom. Confidence in God-the very soul of prayer-hardly comes to any poor sinner like we all are, without trials and humiliations, and your failure, though simple and possibly single, has no doubt been quite a little cross, at least for a "little soul" to carry There is a little verse I am sure will profit you to keep in mind and ought to help you foster confidence in God: God condescends to use our powers, if we don't spoil his plans by ours. God's plans are always for the best: always wonderful. But most especially for the patient and the humble who trust in him are his plans unfathomably holy and sublime.
Let us therefore, not weaken. Let us hope when darkness seems to surround us. Let us thank him at all times under whatever circumstances. Thank him for our creation and our existence, thank him for everything-for his plans in the past that by our sins and our want of appreciation and patience have so often been frustrated and that he so often found necessary to change. Let us thank him for all this plans of the future-for trials and humiliations for as well as great joy and consolations; for sickness and whatever death he may design to plan; and with the inspired Psalmist let us all the creatures of the universe to help u s praise and adore him who is the Divine Beginning and the everlasting Good-the Alpha and the Omega.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2019
One of my favorite reads from 2019. I knew nothing of Blessed Solanus Casey. I didn't even know he existed. What a holy, inspirational priest. I definitely want to re-read this book. So many good points, ideas and thoughts.
October 3, 2014
Fantastic biography!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews