Category: reviews

Stories of Solanus Casey

You might say that Blessed Solanus Casey strikes a “charming chord.” Imagine a humble Capuchin friar with an intense love for playing the violin—even if, as his friends gently put it, it was scratchy. He played despite a lack of great skill, demonstrating something quintessentially human in this holy man. He played without concern for his lack of virtuosity. He was unashamed of his imperfections. This delightful short film, The Violinist: Stories of Solanus Casey, by the Augustine Institute, captures that very spirit of Solanus, presenting him as both deeply relatable and spiritually magnetic.

Blessed Solanus Casey was known for helping countless souls in need, offering comfort and aid to people from all walks of life. What makes this film special is the deeply personal way it brings Solanus’ story to life through the experiences of three individuals who had meaningful encounters with him.

The film tells a part of Blessed Solanus’ life through encounters with three people who knew him. We are introduced to his niece, who first met him at a family reunion when she was just 15. She knew of him and was looking forward to meeting this priest that was larger than life. When he joined his siblings at the family picnic, what stood out most was that he was just a regular guy. Fr. Solanus would eventually be instrumental in her decision to enter the convent, a decision that she came to after his gentle listening and urging that her decision was between her and God alone. Next, we meet a plucky Irish woman who came to the United States as a girl, leaving behind a childhood of hard work in search of opportunity in a new country. Fr. Solanus proved to be a great influence in her life, modeling the virtue of helping others. Finally, we meet a brother Capuchin friar who lived with Fr. Solanus in Detroit. One Christmas, he encountered Fr. Solanus, alone in the church late at night, playing his violin for the child Jesus. He was moved to how much his brother friar loved the Lord.

Solanus’ quirky love for the violin adds warmth and humor to the narrative. This friar didn’t play to impress but to express his joy, despite his lack of skill. His simple, sometimes off-tune performances were a small testament to his childlike heart. At a time when people often think saints must be perfect, Solanus shows us that holiness is a journey for the wholehearted, not the flawless. The violin is symbolic of his life: sometimes awkward, not always pitch-perfect, but always offered with love.

Through the lens of these three individuals and the humility of a man who embraced life’s imperfections, the film paints a portrait of Solanus Casey as a saint for our times. With a simple yet profound faith, he listened and helped, bringing God’s light into the darkest of situations.

Florissant, MO, October 23, 2024— At a time when the Church turns its attention in a special way toward the heroic and virtuous lives of the many holy men and women who make up the Communion of Saints, the Augustine Institute, in partnership with Digital Continent, announces the release of a new documentary series called “Based on a True Saint.”  Through captivating illustrations, photography, video, and immersive storytelling, the new series uncovers the lives of saints (and soon-to-be saints) from the people who actually knew them in real life.  Ahead of All Saints Day and his November birthday, Blessed Solanus Casey leads the way as the featured subject in the first installment of the series now available on Formed, the Augustine Institute’s on-demand streaming platform.