Solanus Casey Center honors the memory of the friar

Robert Delaney of The Michigan Catholic
Published July 27, 2007

Photo by Marylynn G. Hewitt, SFO | The Michigan Catholic Selmi and Sami Yako from Sterling Heights pray at the tomb of Ven. Solanus Casey.

Detroit — The 40,000-square-foot Solanus Casey Center was built to both honor the memory of Fr. Solanus (1870-1957), and to promote the spiritual values he championed during his ministry.

The $13 million center features a historical exhibit about the humble friar who is already on his way to being the first American-born male to be declared a saint. Besides learning about his life and viewing artifacts associated with his life, visitors can pray at his tomb.

Visitors can experience the outdoor cloister-style Creation Garden, featuring sculpture based on the canticle of St. Francis, 'Brother Sun, Sister Moon.' Or inside, they encounter bronze statues of some notable 20th-century persons who exemplified the Franciscan values Fr. Solanus taught.

Computer terminals allow visitors to learn more about Ven. Solanus and hear the testimony of those who knew him.

 

FYI Solanus Casey Center, is at the Capuchin Monastery, 1780 Mount Elliott Ave., Detroit. (313) 579-2100   Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, except major holidays Chapel: Open 7:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Major holidays: 7:30 a.m.-noon Mass schedule: 7:45 a.m. weekdays; 7:45 a.m., 12:15 p.m. holidays; 9 a.m. Sundays Confessions: 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Blessing of the sick: 2 p.m. Wednesdays and the fourth Sunday of the month.