First-ever feast of Blessed Solanus Casey to be marked with nine days of public prayers and Masses

Novena to honor the sick and the poor beloved by humble friar

Roman Catholic priest Father Solanus Casey (1870-1957), a member of the Capuchin order of Franciscans whom Pope Francis declared “blessed” last year, will be remembered by the Catholic Church on the first-ever celebration of his feast day on July 30, 2018. To mark the historic occasion, the Capuchin friars will hold a nine-day series of prayers, called a novena, and Masses at the Solanus Casey Center leading up to the Feast. Each day of the nine-day novena prayer focuses on a particular area of Blessed Solanus Casey’s life and ministry.

“It was through many small gestures of love and kindness as the doorkeeper of St. Bonaventure Monastery that Father Solanus showed great holiness and brought multitudes of people into closer communion with God,” said Br. Richard Merling OFM Cap., vice-postulator and director of the Fr. Solanus Guild.

“Just as Blessed Solanus Casey opened the doors of the monastery to those in need, we are opening the doors of the Solanus Casey Center to welcome the community to join us in prayer and thanksgiving for the life and ministry of this future saint of the Church,” said Fr. David Preuss, OFM Cap., director of the Solanus Casey Center.

“In a special way, Blessed Solanus exemplified the teachings of the founder of the Franciscan order, St. Francis of Assisi,” said Br. Michael Sullivan, OFM Cap., provincial minister for the Capuchin Franciscan Province of St. Joseph.

Throughout the nine-day novena leading up to the feast day, the Solanus Casey Center gift shop will offer a discount of 20 percent or more off all items. Confessions will be heard by Capuchin priests from Monday through Saturday during the novena week on the hour at 10am, 11am, 12 noon, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm.

What:             Novena and first-ever celebration of the Feast of Blessed Solanus Casey

Where:           Solanus Casey Center
1780 Mount Elliott St.
Detroit, MI 48207
(313) 579-2100

Limited, secured off-street parking is available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis in a gated lot off of Kercheval between Mt. Elliott St. and Kercheval St. Additional parking is available on the streets surrounding the center.

When:            

Sunday, July 22 – Music

9am, Mass with litany of all saints and prayer for the canonization of Blessed Solanus Casey

2pm, Blessing of the sick

3-4pm, Musical celebration

Monday, July 23 – The poor 

7:45am Mass

Noon Mass with litany and prayer for the poor

  • Attendees invited to bring canned goods for the hungry
  • Tours of Capuchin Soup Kitchen following prayer

Tuesday, July 24 – Neighbors           

7:45am Mass

Noon Mass with litany and prayer with and for the Capuchins’ Detroit neighbors

Wednesday, July 25 – The sick          

7:45am Mass

Noon Mass with litany and prayer and blessing of the sick

2:00pm Blessing of the Sick

Thursday, July 26 – Religious and consecrated life

7:45am Mass

Noon Mass with litany and prayer for those in religious and consecrated life

Friday, July 27 – Families     

7:45am Mass

Noon Mass with litany and prayer with and for families

Saturday, July 28 – Young adults

5:00pm Mass with litany and prayer with and for young adults, with reception following

Sunday, July 29 – The Church          

9:00am, Mass with litany and prayer, followed by reception

11:00am, Mass with litany and prayer, followed by reception

1:30pm, Mass celebrated by His Excellency Allen H. Vigneron, Archbishop of Detroit, concelebrated by Br. Michael Sullivan, OFM Cap., provincial minister as well as other clergy in attendance

  • This Mass will be livestreamed

Monday, July 30 – The Feast Day

7:45am Mass

Noon Mass with litany and prayer for the Feast of Blessed Solanus Casey                           

About the Solanus Casey Center

The Solanus Casey Center is a spiritual oasis where souls are nourished.  It is a place of peace where the presence of God’s healing grace is experienced through the intercession of Blessed Solanus. It is an anchor of authentic Catholic values and spirituality for generations past, present and future.

About the Capuchins

The Capuchins are an international community of friars modeling themselves after St. Francis of Assisi. The brothers of the Capuchin Franciscan Province of St. Joseph, headquartered in Detroit, serve in a variety of ministries including social service, schools, chaplaincies, retreat house and parishes in Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Montana, Arizona, and Panama. Established at Mt. Calvary, Wisconsin in 1857, there are currently 169 members in the St. Joseph province.