Bernard (Barney) Casey was born in a three room log cabin, near Oak Grove, Wisconsin on November 25, 1875. As a young boy, though he was physically weak, he was strong spiritually. As a teenager, he saved a man from drowning, believing that the help of Our Lady made it possible. As a young man several difficult incidents brought him even closer to God: the ending of a relationship with a girl whom he loved, and being a witness to a murder. Barney decided that he wanted to devote his life to God, as a priest. The next eight years represented a difficult journey towards priesthood. In 1892, Bernard was admitted to a German seminary, but the diocesan officials at the seminary believed he did not have what it takes to be a priest. Due to a language barrier, he did poorly in his classes. Barney went to a Capuchin seminary in 1896, adopting the name of Solanus.
> Bernard (Barney) Casey was born in a three room log cabin, near Oak Grove, Wisconsin on November 25, 1875. As a young boy, though he was physically weak, he was strong spiritually. As a teenager, he saved a man from drowning, believing that the help of Our Lady made it possible. As a young man several difficult incidents brought him even closer to God: the ending of a relationship with a girl whom he loved, and being a witness to a murder. Barney decided that he wanted to devote his life to God, as a priest. The next eight years represented a difficult journey towards priesthood. In 1892, Bernard was admitted to a German seminary, but the diocesan officials at the seminary believed he did not have what it takes to be a priest. Due to a language barrier, he did poorly in his classes. Barney went to a Capuchin seminary in 1896, adopting the name of Solanus. [continue reading](https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=382)
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