The potential miracle could have an impact on the canonisation process for the humble Capuchin friar who worked for two decades as a porter at St. Bonaventure Monastery on Detroit’s east side during the first half of the 20th century.
Mary Bartold, 16, of DeWitt, Michigan, was diagnosed in May 2024 with a pair of tumours on her ovaries, reports the Detroit Free Press.
There was a 7.3-cm tumour on her left ovary, and a 1.5-cm tumour on her right ovary. As a result, she was at risk of losing her ovaries, along with other serious health complications.
Her doctors scheduled her for surgery in early August 2024. Her mother, Susan, and father, Rick, made a pilgrimage to Detroit to Casey’s tomb. After that trip, Susan was inspired to start a novena, a nine-day period of prayer, to ask for Blessed Casey’s intercession on Mary’s behalf.
On July 26, Mary underwent imaging ahead of her scheduled surgery, and was told to return for an MRI on Tuesday, July 30 – Blessed Casey’s feast day.
Mary’s tumours had disappeared; three radiologists confirmed they were gone. Her surgery was canceled.
On August 2, Susan posted on Facebook that her family’s prayers had been answered:
“I would like to thank all of you who have prayed for our daughter Mary and included the requested novena to Bl. Solanus Casey. I, in turn, would like to share our miracle,” she wrote.
A six-month follow-up scan showed that Mary’s tumours had not returned. The family’s story was shared with media outlets in late March this year.
Blessed Casey is said to have interceded in healing the sick, both before and after his death in 1957, notes the Detroit Free Press.
It adds that Pope Francis acknowledged in 2017 that Casey performed a miracle when a genetic skin condition that had plagued Paula Medina Zarate, a retired teacher from Panama, was healed after she prayed at Casey’s tomb in Detroit.
One more miracle that is officially recognised by the Vatican could secure the case for bestowing sainthood on Casey.
Since
2018, according to the Solanus Casey Center there have been at least
300 reports of favours that Catholic faithful have submitted for review
and that have subsequently been documented as linked to Casey’s
intercession.
Casey was a Capuchin Friar who lived in Michigan and died on 31 July 1957 at the age of 86. He was beatified in 2017.