Father Solanus Casey Beatification Tickets Available October 9

DETROIT, MI – The Capuchin Franciscan Province of St. Joseph in Detroit has announced that tickets to the Father Solanus Casey Beatification will be available to the public on Monday, October 9 at 9 a.m. ET only at www.fordfield.com while supplies last. The Ford Field Beatification event page may be found here. Tickets are free, with a small per order processing fee. Each person will have an opportunity to obtain up to a maximum of (4) tickets. All tickets will be delivered using the Detroit Lions paperless ticketing system Flash Seats. The Mass will begin at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, November 18 at Ford Field in Detroit. The doors will open at 2 p.m. ET. Additional details may be found at beatification.visitdetroit.com

On May 4, Pope Francis announced that Father Solanus Casey will be elevated to Blessed in the Roman Catholic Church, which is the final step before sainthood. A friar of the Capuchin Franciscan Province of St. Joseph in Detroit and one of the co-founders of the city’s Capuchin Soup Kitchen, Father Solanus Casey was born November 25, 1870 and died July 31, 1957. He will be the second American-born male to be beatified. The first is Father Stanley Rother, a North American priest who died in 1981 and was beatified in September. A photograph of Father Solanus Casey is available here.

“The beatification is a remarkable moment in all of our lives and one to celebrate Father Solanus, whose compassion and attribution to miraculous cures have endeared him to those in Detroit and across the world,” stated Father Michael Sullivan, OFM Cap. and Provincial Minister of the Capuchin Franciscan Province of St. Joseph. “We welcome as many as possible to be a part of it.”

"Not unlike the Silverdome Mass celebrated by Saint John Paul, this, too, will be a history-making liturgy,” said Archbishop of Detroit Allen Vigneron. “The beatification of Father Solanus Casey is an incomparable grace for the church in the Archdiocese of Detroit and for the whole community. He is an inspiration to Catholics – and to all – of the power of grace to transform one's life."

Throughout his ministry, beginning in New York for 20 years, serving at three different parishes, Fr. Solanus was a beloved Capuchin Friar credited with miraculous cures and valued for his wise and compassionate counsel. He served at St. Bonaventure Monastery on Mt. Elliott Street in Detroit, where he worked for over 20 years as a porter and spent his life in the service of people, endearing him to thousands who would seek his counsel. He earned the recognition as ‘the Doorkeeper’ – a Brother who would provide soup for the hungry, kind words for the troubled, and a healing touch for the ill.

The Detroit Capuchins continue their ministry to the poor and the sick and those in need. They operate the Solanus Casey Center, which attracts 250,000 visitors a year, and the Capuchin Soup Kitchen which frequently serves 2,000 meals per day, to those who are hungry.

The work of the Capuchin Friars is funded primarily by donations, receiving no government assistance. To make a donation in support of the Father Solanus Beatification Mass, please contact Kristi Hassouna at khassouna@thecapuchins.org.

ABOUT THE FATHER SOLANUS GUILD

The Father Solanus Guild, a Capuchin ministry, initiated the Cause of Solanus Casey for sainthood in 1966 and continues to keep alive the inspiring memory of Fr. Solanus; brings knowledge of his exemplary life to others; collects information about his life and work; provides prayer, support, and offers services to the Vice Postulator for the Cause of Solanus Casey.

ABOUT THE SOLANUS CASEY CENTER

Inspired by the holy life of Father Solanus, the Solanus Casey Center opened its doors in 2002 to lead visitors on a spiritual journey. Thousands come to the center each year for prayer, to nurture the spirit, and to visit Solanus’ tomb.

In 1998, the Capuchin superiors recognized a need for a more hospitable way to receive the multitude of visitors who come to the tomb of Father Solanus each year. The result is the beautiful and enriching Solanus Casey Center where Casey’s tomb is now located. It also facilitates the spiritual needs of visitors, drawing them into a pilgrimage of faith that inspires in all who visit an invitation to holiness in their own lives.

The Solanus Casey Center and Father Solanus Guild are ministries of the Capuchin Franciscan Province of St. Joseph headquartered in Detroit, which includes Capuchin ministries worldwide.www.SolanusCasey.org

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, Montana, Arizona, and Panama. Established at Mt. Calvary Wisconsin in 1857, there are currently 169 members in the St. Joseph province.

ABOUT THE ARCHDIOCESE OF DETROIT

The Roman Catholic presence in southeast Michigan dates back to 1701 with the arrival of French missionaries. By 1833, the Diocese of Detroit was officially established; it was elevated to the status of an Archdiocese in 1937. Seventh largest in the United States, it administers parishes, schools, and institutions within the City of Detroit, as well as Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Monroe, St. Clair, and Lapeer counties. Served by Allen Henry Vigneron, its 10th bishop (and fifth archbishop), the Archdiocese — its priests and people alike — is currently engaged in promoting and energizing faith in Jesus Christ through its evangelization commitment to Unleash the Gospel.

Media contacts:

On behalf of Capuchin Franciscan Province of St. Joseph in Detroit

Heather George, hgeorge@loviogeorge.com, 313-832-2210, 248-417-5773 (mobile)

Colleen Crane, ccrane@thecapuchins.org, 414.374.8841 x27

Archdiocese of Detroit

Holly Fournier, fournier.holly@aod.org, 313.237.5802, 313.570.5962 (mobile)