He was a simple Capuchin priest who worked most of his life as a monastery doorkeeper yet in his 86 years this unassuming monk was a conduit of God s loving mercy and healing During his lifetime Father Solanus Casey was often heralded as a 20th century saint and on July 11 1995 Pope John Paul II declared him to be venerable the first official step toward sainthood People flocked to him Those looking for cures from cancer heart disease tuberculosis Those seeking help for broken marriages broken hearts and broken lives Those wanting to find spiritual health and renewal To each person Father Solanus brought an aura of God s goodness and grace This beloved and remarkable servant of God was born near Prescott Wisconsin on November 25 1870 He entered the novitiate of the Capuchin Franciscans in Detroit when he was 26 years old Since he was not considered very bright by his superiors after his ordination he was allowed to say Ma