A Free Prayer Request - Several Options

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Praying with another person is generally considered better than submitting an online prayer request because it allows for more dialogue, deeper connection, shared vulnerability and immediate support.  The Bible even encourages praying for one another.  Many find that, for their most important concerns and requests for our Lord, sharing their prayers with others can bring comfort and hope.  Here are some options for obtaining a Free Prayer person-to-person:

1. Pray with a family member.
2. Pray with a friend.
3. Contact a local church and request time to pray with the priest.
4. Join a prayer group through a local church.  These groups meet on a regular basis to pray, worship, and share their concerns and joys.
5. Contact a local church to see if they have a prayer team or prayer chain.  One of the members of the team will pray with you, and then share your prayer request with the rest of the members so they can also pray for you.

The St. Bonaventure Monastery and Solanus Casey Center are located on the same campus in Detroit, Michigan.  They are both operated by the Capuchin Franciscan Friars of the Province of St. Joseph.   Every day they are open, there is a Brother available at the reception desk and at least one available in confessions to offer a free prayer for anyone who requests one. 

Solanus Casey Center

1780 Mount Elliott St,
Detroit, MI 48207-3427 

Hours of Operation

The Solanus Casey Center is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  They are closed on Mondays and Major Holidays (New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth (June 19th), Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

For more information on the Solanus Casey Center and Blessed Solanus Casey, click on the button below.

For a Free Online Prayer Request, the button below will direct you to the online request form at the Solanus Casey Center.   Your prayer intention will be printed and placed at the tomb of Blessed Solanus Casey. The friars at St. Bonaventure Monastery will pray for your intention in their daily prayer in the Friars’ Chapel.   

Since the 1880s, the Capuchin friars at the St. Bonaventure Monastery have invited those suffering from illness or infirmity to pray for healing. That tradition continues today with a Blessing of the Sick Service every Wednesday and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. that includes intercessions and a blessing with a relic of the True Cross (a piece of wood that is said to be from the cross on which Jesus was crucified).  

Blessing of the Sick Mass

Every Wednesday & Sunday at 2:00 p.m.

Saint Bonaventure Monastery Chapel

1740 Mt. Elliott Street

Detroit, MI 48207  

(313) 579-2100 

"Sometimes we believe Christ's miraculous power to heal is something that only happened in the Gospels when he walked the earth. But in this video, Brother Malachy shares a story about a healing relic of St. Therese that proves "Jesus is the healer, and God is still in the healing business." The faith of a family Brother Malachy met during a pilgrimage to Esquipulas, Guatemala, demonstrates in a powerful way how the Lord still answers prayers in a very real and active way." - Ascension Presents June 20, 2018

Father Mike Schmitz introduces us to the virtue that makes other virtues excellent: magnanimity.   He discusses the lives of Blessed Solanus Casey and Saint Katherine Drexel, two examples of living a life of magnanimity though one was born into poverty and the other born into wealth.  Whatever your station in life and whatever gifts you have been given, help promote the glory of God by seeking excellence in using your gifts.

"Despite a serious learning block - he couldn't master languages - he was admitted to the priesthood.  Because his theological knowledge was considered sub-standard, he performed menial monastery tasks through all sixty years as a Capuchin friar." (1)  His main task was answering the front door, and it was through his mundane task as Porter that he glorified the Lord.

"He became a spiritual counselor to tens of thousands, deeply influenced by a multitude of lives, and was known and loved by people in every part of the United States and by many in Canada.  Hundred's of people attributed his intercession to seemingly inexplicable spiritual reformations and physical cures, but it was his boundless charity and luminous goodness that won him countless hearts  to Christ. "(1)

In May 2017, Pope Francis recognized a miracle performed through Venerable Solanus Casey and he is now known as Blessed Solanus Casey.  He is one step away from becoming a saint.

(1)  Text from back cover of "The Porter of Saint Bonaventure's" by James Patrick Derum 

Click on the link below to learn more about Blessed Solanus Casey and the Capuchin Franciscan Province of St. Joseph.

One of the best ways to bring joy into our lives is by helping others who need some joy in their lives.  Regardless of our limitations, there are always opportunities to use our talents to help others. The Capuchin Soups Kitchen offers many opportunities for volunteering.  Use the link below to read about their many programs to help others in need.

In honor to Blessed Solanus Casey, the Porters for Prayer look to follow his example.  While the porter at the church was opening the door to introduce each person to prayer, we look to remove whatever barrier is separating each individual from engaging in prayer to bring them closer to God. Since we have no door to knock on, we will go out to meet them.  We will display our "Free Prayer" sign and welcome people to stop by for some conversation and prayer. 

Some of us may not have performed well in our catholic studies or may not feel comfortable speaking to others about prayer and faith.  Even Moses did not have confidence as a speaker, so God told him to take his brother Aaron with him. If you need some help, find a partner to take with you.

We will move forward with the same approach as Blessed Solanus Casey – we will listen, we will pray, and we will let each person know that they are loved by God and called to share in God’s life.  Each person shall be notified of this website which provides additional information, inspiration, encouragement and hopefully a path forward in prayer with the Lord.

If you can say a prayer, you can be a Porter.