Detroit Public Television To Rebroadcast The Beatification Mass For Father Solanus Casey

Thousands of people gathered at Ford Field on Nov. 18 to attend the Beatification Mass for Father Solanus Casey, and now Detroit Public Television (56.1) viewers can witness the solemn ceremony on Christmas Eve, today, from 1-4 p.m. This special rebroadcast will include an eight-minute BIOGRAPHY of Fr. Solanus's life, narrated by WRJ's Paul W. Smith.

Fr. Solanus is only the second American-born male to be beatified by the Catholic Church, the final phase before canonization or sainthood.

Bernard Casey, who took the name Solanus as a seminarian, was born November 25, 1970, and died July 31, 1957. Fr. Solanus was ordained in 1904 at age 33 and spent 20 years in the service of others as the porter or doorkeeper of St. Bonaventure Monastery on Mt. Elliott Street in Detroit. A beloved Capuchin revered for his patience, kind words, wise counsel and healing touch, Fr. Solanus was credited with miraculous cures of mind and body.

The Rite of Beatification took place at the beginning of the Mass. The presider for the Beatification Mass was his Eminence Angelo Cardinal Amato from Rome, Italy, Prefect of the Vatican's Congregation for the Causes of Saints and representative of the Holy Father, Pope Francis, who announced in May that Fr. Solanus would be elevated to Blessed in the Roman Catholic Church.

A choir of 300, directed by Fr. Ed Foley, OFM Cap, accompanied the liturgy with members from parish choirs across Metropolitan Detroit. The altar used for the beatification was designed by Latvian-born architect, Gunnar Birkerts, and created originally for Pope Saint John Paul II's visit to the Pontiac Silverdome in 1987. The altar and ambo (pulpit) was built of cherry wood, reflecting the tranquil beauty of Michigan's natural resources. Among the thousands of people in attendance were 240 Capuchin Friars and 350 of Casey's family members from across America and their native country of Ireland.

The impact Fr. Solanus made in Detroit still lives on today through the Capuchin Soup Kitchen he co-founded in 1929. The Detroit Capuchins continue their ministry by providing clothing and serving more than 2,000 meals per day to the Metro Detroit community, while operating the Solanus Casey Center, which attracts 250,000 visitors a year.

Join this Sunday, Christmas Eve, from 1-4 p.m. for this special rebroadcast celebrating the life of Fr. Solanus.

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