A Visit To Venerable Solanus Casey

As I had mentioned previously, during my trip to Detroit for a principals' conference, I managed to stop for a quick visit to the St. Bonaventure Friary, where Venerable Father Solanus Casey - the first U.S.-born male to be declared Venerable - served for a number of years and is buried.

I actually made two visits, though the first was not as I had hoped.

My conference sessions ended shortly after 4 on Tuesday, so I jumped back into my car and drove into Detroit (the conference was at a hotel at the airport, south of the city proper). By the time I figured out where the Friary was - and dealt with construction - it was 5 p.m. I parked in the parking lot, and started walking toward the entrance, but the security guard informed me that the Father Solanus Casey Center closed at 5. Ugh. I walked around the outside, took a couple of quick pictures in case I could not make it back, then drove back to the hotel.

I was disappointed, but I told myself at least I now knew where it was and if I had a chance I'd have an easier time of getting back to it on Wednesday.

I was trying to follow Father Solanus' model and be positive. (My own less-saintly pattern is to grumble.)

On Wednesday, I packed all my stuff early for the drive home and put it in the trunk, hoping for a quick getaway. Sure enough, we finished the conference early at 3:15, so I jumped in the car and threaded the traffic and construction back to the Friary.

Open.

Deo gratias!

Knowing my time was limited, I made a quick walk-through. Then I went back to a few spots.

The center has a nice exhibit about Father Solanus' life with lots of picture and artifacts. Among the items on display were his personal effects,

including the beloved violin he would play to entertain (well, by all accounts of his ability, not exactly "entertain"!) his fellow Franciscans, and in the chapel for the Lord.

The exhibit also included the vestment he wore for his last Mass, and his Chalice and Paten

...and the rubber stamp he used to sign the many letters he sent to people in response to their letters asking for his prayers and guidance. (He received so many letters that, as he got older and struggled with health, he would dictate letters to secretaries, then stamp them with his signature.)

His tomb had been moved into the church once the process had begun to investigate his sanctity - a first step toward him possibly being declared a saint.

The tomb of the long-time porter is located, appropriately, at one of the entrances to the church. There is a carving of a violin on it.

It was also covered with slips of papers on which there were prayer requests. I wrote my own request, asking him to pray for something that is troubling my heart.

The center also has an exhibit honoring various people who reflect virtues.

Some of my personal favorites were represented, including Dorothy Day

Mother Theresa

and Catherine Doherty.

At the entrance to the Center, there is a garden with art reflecting lines from St. Francis of Assisi's "Canticle of Brother Sun."

I also got a lesson in Franciscan poverty. I'm a bibliophile (with a house jammed with far too many books). After my initial swing through the center and the chapel, I went to the bookstore/gift shop, hoping to find a book or two that I did not already have (or three or four!).

It closed at 4 - before I got to it. Ha!

I hope some day to go back now that I know where the Friary and the Center are. It would be nice to go there with the Good-Looking-One.

Maybe even buy a book?