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CAPUCHIN MINISTRIES FAMILY DAY OPEN HOUSE-- FREE GUIDED TOURS OCTOBER 3

Detroit Capuchin ministries will be hosting a Family Day, October 3, to view the Capuchin ministries.  The event marks the 50th year of the Solanus Guild, a Capuchin ministry that spreads the knowledge of Father Solanus’ holy life, and to help gather information to further Father Solanus’ Cause for Canonization.

The Family Day tour will be guided by friars and Solanus Center docents.  Participants will be guided through the Solanus Casey Center, St. Bonaventure Monastery grounds, and the Capuchin Soup Kitchen’s Meldrum site which includes Earthworks Urban Farm gardens.  Families are encouraged to attend. 

The Family Day will begin with the blessing of the new Father Solanus garden, October 3, 11:30 AM.  The garden will serve as a physical link, a living bridge, between the Solanus Casey Center, Solanus Guild, the Capuchin Overseas Missions and Capuchin Memorials (Seraphic) Association, the St. Bonaventure Monastery and the Capuchin Soup Kitchen. The garden will grow vegetables, herbs, and flowers.  The vegetables and herbs will be used in the kitchens of the Capuchin Soup Kitchen’s two locations.

“The Capuchin Soup Kitchen nourishes the physical body and the Solanus Casey Center nourishes the spirit,” Father Larry Webber, Solanus Center Director explains.  “This is a natural extension for both Capuchin ministries.”

The free guided Capuchin ministries tour will take place immediately following the blessing and will continue until 3 PM.  The tour starts at the Solanus Casey Center entrance, 1780 Mount Elliott, Detroit.

“Even those who are well educated on the spirituality of Father Solanus will discover new information,” Capuchin friar and Solanus Guild Director, Brother Richard Merling, commented.  “This is a day dedicated to families and to the holiness of Father Solanus.  The tour ties together our Capuchin ministries of the Father Solanus Guild, the Solanus Casey Center, and the Capuchin Soup Kitchen….all of which Father Solanus is the common thread.”

Free desserts created by Capuchin Soup Kitchen chef Alison Costello will be available at the soup kitchen’s Meldrum site, across the street from the St. Bonaventure Monastery.  Earthworks Urban Farm, a program of the soup kitchen, will be giving tours of their greenhouse and gardens, also located across the street.  Earthworks’ harvest produce and the soup kitchen’s On the Rise Bakery baked goods will be available for sale. 

Free light lunch snacks will be available at the St. Bonaventure Monastery grounds where Father Solanus served as the doorkeeper for 20 years. 

“Father Solanus left St. Bonaventure Monastery in 1944,” Brother Richard Merling explains.  “And here we are 66 years later, continuing to learn from his spirituality and holiness.”  

“We welcome all to come and visit Capuchin ministries on this special occasion, to tour the beautiful Solanus Casey Center, learn more about Capuchin Franciscan spirituality, and to meet our neighbors and guests of the soup kitchen,” says Capuchin Soup Kitchen Director Jerry Smith, OFM Cap. “We all have much to learn from one another, as well as from our brother, Solanus Casey.”

There is no charge for this event.  Comfortable walking shoes are encouraged.  In order to secure a food count, we appreciate your calling 313.579.2100, ext. 169.

Solanus Casey was a beloved Capuchin Friar credited with miraculous cures and valued for his wise and compassionate counsel. He faithfully served the people of Detroit by providing soup for the hungry, kind words for the troubled, and a healing touch for the ill. 

In 1960, the Father Solanus Guild initiated the Cause of Solanus Casey for sainthood. In 1995, Pope John Paul II declared Solanus Casey “Venerable.” Capuchin friars Richard Merling and Leo Wollenweber continue to gather documentation of healings attributed to Venerable Solanus Casey’s intercession.  Such cures can lead to beatification and the title of “Blessed.”  Another miraculous cure after beatification would advance the Cause finally to Canonization or Sainthood.

The Father Solanus Guild, the Solanus Casey Center, St. Bonaventure Monastery, and the Capuchin Soup Kitchen are Capuchin ministries and are part of the Province of St. Joseph of the Capuchin Order headquartered in Detroit which serves Capuchin ministries worldwide. 

www.SolanusCasey.org  www.solanuscenter.org  www.cskdetroit.org www.thecapuchins.org