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The Blessed Solanus Casey Newsletter A Newsletter of the Solanus Casey Center and the Father Solanus Guild September 2018 • 313-579-2100 • www.SolanusCenter.org • www.SolanusCasey.org First-ever Feast of Blessed Solanus Casey “There is such a thing as getting a ‘taste of heaven’ in day, and included a at St. celebrated this world, as we see clearly in the lives of the .” by Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron. The faithful ~ Blessed Solanus Casey, OFM Cap. Letter to Sister got a “taste of heaven” as thousands of faithful prayed M.J., May 21, 1945 for the of the Porter of St. Bonaventure.

People of faith from around the world gathered at the In case you missed it, you can watch Mass with Solanus Casey Center in Detroit from July 22 through Archbishop Vigneron by logging onto the Blessed July 31 to celebrate a historic first: the Feast of Solanus Solanus Casey Facebook page. Casey. A nine-day novena of prayer preceded the feast Fr. Solanus Guild News Solanus Center News From Br. Richard From Fr.

Arrivederci Roma! Fr. Larry Blessed Solanus had faith that Webber and I recently visited God always provides. Rome to meet with the Congregation for the Causes of Following the announcement Saints to share several updates last year of Blessed Solanus Casey’s , a on the cause for canonization Br. Richard Merling continuous swell of pilgrims Fr. David Preuss of Blessed Solanus Casey. While Fr. Solanus Guild Director from around the world have Solanus Center Director there, we had an opportunity been arriving at the door to be in the presence of the of the Solanus Casey Center. The daily arrival of so Holy Father Francis in St. Peter’s Square during many pilgrims is a reminder of the attractiveness a general audience. We had a few brief moments with of the humble faith and heroic virtue of the His Holiness and shared with him information about doorkeeper of St. Bonaventure. Since the beatification Blessed Solanus. announcement in spring 2017, the number of visitors to the center has grown significantly. Many more The cause for canonization is flourishing and we pilgrims seek to learn and be healed through the continue to receive many reports of favors attributed to intercession of Blessed Solanus Casey. the intercession of Blessed Solanus. However, the influx of pilgrims poses challenges None of this would be possible without your continued for the Center in terms of how to accommodate the prayer and support. Let us follow the exhortation increased traffic. of St. Paul, who tells us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Thankfully, God always provides. As reported in the press recently, through the generosity of the Following our visit to Rome, we were overjoyed by the late Art Van Elslander and the A.A. Van Elslander abundance of people who journeyed from around the Foundation, the Center is in the early stages of globe to show their devotion to Blessed Solanus Casey embarking upon a significant campus expansion during the novena and first-ever feast day. Celebrations project that will increase our capacity to include were held in the Archdioceses of Detroit, new amenities like a café, expanded gift shop, outdoor worship space and meditation garden as and Minneapolis-St. Paul, as well as the Dioceses well as additional off-street parking. Renovation of of Ft. Wayne-South Bend, Stillwater () the St. Bonaventure Chapel is already underway to and in other places where Blessed Solanus lived and create a worship space that is more in keeping with ministered. what it would have looked like in the time when Fr. Solanus worshipped in the Chapel, yet is suitable for contemporary liturgical use.

We are, of course, ever-thankful for the support of donors like you, as well as our neighbors, the A.A. Van Elslander Foundation and the City of Detroit for working together to make the Solanus Casey Center a pilgrimage destination for generations to come.

The Solanus Casey Center and Father Solanus Guild will be announcing a reorganization, the details of which will be communicated in a future mailing. Solanus Casey Center expansion kicks off As reported recently in the press, thanks to generous 65 additional off-street parking spaces, an expanded gift from the A.A. Van Elslander Foundation, the gift shop, a café, a new reflection garden, landscaped Solanus Casey Center is expanding to address current green space and an outdoor worship area capable of and future needs following the beatification of Blessed accommodating up to 1,500 Massgoers. Solanus Casey in 2017. Since being named Blessed by last year, the number of visitors to the The site plan was developed in partnership with the Center has escalated significantly. To accommodate A.A. Van Elslander Foundation with input from the that growth, the Capuchin have Mount Elliott Business and Community Association. developed a site plan that will include approximately Construction underway at St. Bonaventure Chapel The Chapel at St. Bonaventure Monastery, where Blessed Solanus Casey once prayed and worshipped, Interior work, including repainting and is undergoing renovations to bring the Chapel more reconfiguration of the main and side altars, is closely in line with its appearance during the lifetime underway now. The main Chapel will be closed for of Fr. Solanus, while remaining true to contemporary the duration of the renovations and is expected to be liturgical norms. opened by December. The friar’s chapel is available for small group Masses and the dining hall will be used Exterior painting work was completed earlier this for weekday and Sunday Masses until renovations are summer. With a fresh coat of paint, the steeples and complete. masonry trim are now a brilliant, resplendent white. In addition, a new seating arrangement now allows for We ask for your prayers and patience during approximately 400 Massgoers, an increase of roughly construction and we are grateful to our donors who 30 percent. have made these improvements possible. The official page from the Vatican in declaring that Fr. Solanus Casey is beatified, signed by Pope Francis. the Capuchin archives as well as numerous other New Blessed Solanus Casey TV sources. Also included are photos from the November 18, 2018 Beatification Mass at Ford Field and the documentary, book on the way... first-ever Feast Day celebrations at the Solanus Casey Book to hit shelves this fall Center.

Former Detroit Copies will be available this fall in the Solanus Casey Free Press religion Center gift shop. reporter Patricia Montemurri is Public TV Documentary to air next year publishing a new Detroit-area documentary filmmaker Keith Famie book, Blessed Solanus is producing a full-length documentary on the Casey, part of the life, ministry and road to sainthood of Fr. Solanus. Arcadia Publishing Production kicked off this spring on Blessed Solanus Images of America Casey’s Journey to Sainthood with an expected airdate series. The book tells on public television in 2019. the story of the life and ministry of the The film includes interviews and insights from people humble doorkeeper who knew Fr. Solanus, were touched by his ministry of St. Bonaventure and received favors through his intercession. through photos from

Construction at St. Bonaventure Chapel tearing out carpet. There is wood floor under and terrazzo on sides wings Calendar of Events Friday, September 14 – Motown Review Benefitting the Solanus Casey Center The Ark at St. Parish, Grosse Pointe Park SOLD OUT Thursday, September 20 – International Day of Prayer for Peace 7pm, St. Charles Borromeo Parish, Detroit Sunday October 14 – 27th Annual Bl. Solanus Casey Souperbowl Century Banquet Center, Sterling Heights Benefitting the Capuchin Soup Kitchen November 25 - Birthday of Blessed Solanus Casey Solanus Casey Center, Detroit

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