EDITORIAL

Beatification of Father Solanus Casey: Sold Out

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You have to be good if you want to sell out Ford Field. The multi-purpose stadium, located in downtown Detroit, Michigan, seats 65,000. In 2014, the English band, “One Direction,” filled Ford Field during their American tour. The Irish band, “U2,” packed the place this past September. The venue is the home field for the Detroit Lions, but lately they only sell out half of the games (you have to be good if you want to sell out Ford Field).

This November 18, however, Ford Field will be filled to capacity for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and the Beatification of Father Solanus Casey. A member of the Capuchin Franciscan Order of St. Joseph, Father Solanus was born in 1870 in Oak Grove, Wisconsin. He entered the Capuchin Friars in his late twenties and was ordained a “simplex priest,” not being considered capable of hearing confessions or preaching with any great effect. Casey served in parishes for 20 years in New York before being assigned to St. Bonaventure Monastery in Detroit, Michigan. He was given the ministry of porter, holding the door for pilgrims seeking Christ.

Always ready to listen to the thousands of pilgrims that came to the monastery each year, his reputation for holiness, compassion and intercessory prayer became legendary. On Saturday, November 18, he will accomplish his greatest work to date: gathering 65,000 souls around Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament of the Eucharist, and leading them closer to the God He loved and served so well.