A monthly Blessing of the Sick, takes place 2:00 pm the first Friday of each month. Confession is available beforehand starting at 1:30 pm.
The tradition dates back to the early days of the Capuchin Province of St. Joseph, with a regular Blessing of the Sick service celebrated at St. Bonaventure in Detroit as far back as the 1880s. During his time at St. Bonaventure, Blessed Fr. Solanus Casey, OFM Cap., would celebrate the Blessing of the Sick service every week. Blessed Solanus Casey was a beloved Capuchin friar credited with miraculous cures and valued for his wise and compassionate counsel. He had strong Wisconsin roots having been born in Prescott and ordained in St. Francis of Assisi Church in 1904.
The Blessing of the Sick incorporates Scripture, prayers of intercession and thanksgiving, and a blessing with a relic of the True Cross. This Blessing has ancient roots in the Church, dating back to the 6th century abbot, Saint Maurus. The Blessing of the Sick is a sacramental, and does not include a celebration of the Eucharist. It is not a Mass. Nevertheless, we welcome you to experience the powerful graces that can come from this time-honored sacramental.
Fr. Solanus had two great loves – the poor and the sick. The Blessing of the Sick addresses the widespread need for many kinds of healing in so many people’s lives. St. Francis Church would like to celebrate the heritage of Fr. Solanus who once lived here by offering this Blessing of the Sick to people of Fr. Solanus’ home state.
If you would like a hospital visit, please call the Parish Office.
