DETROIT — Father Gabriel Richard was described as many things – a pastor, a builder, a pioneer, a missionary, a statesman and an educator, among others.
Now, the Basilica of Ste. Anne, the parish he shepherded for more than 30 years in the early 1800s, is asking whether he also might be a saint.
At the conclusion of a Mass of thanksgiving celebrating the historic parish’s newly given basilica title, Msgr. Charles Kosanke made the surprise announcement that a new guild is being formed to explore the possibility that Fr. Richard might one day be canonized.
The French Sulpician missionary, who is entombed in a side chapel of Ste. Anne, is one of the most well-known priests to have ever served the city, arriving in Detroit – then still a small town on the developing Michigan frontier – in 1798, six years after escaping persecution during the French Revolution.
Sent to minister among the native and French populations, Fr. Richard worked tirelessly to serve his flock at Ste. Anne, establishing schools, selflessly aiding the poor, building a new church and traveling vast distances to preach the Gospel at missionary outposts throughout the developing territory – not yet even a state.
Msgr. Kosanke, Ste. Anne’s rector, said the decision to start the process toward Fr. Richard’s canonization was spurred in part by Pope Francis naming Ste. Anne a basilica in March.
“In some ways, it’s an overdue step,” Msgr. Kosanke said of the process. “I was very happy when the archbishop gave the green light.”
While Detroit Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron, who was present at the Mass at Ste. Anne, gave his blessing to establish the guild, Msgr. Kosanke said that doesn’t mean Fr. Richard’s canonization cause is officially opened – yet.
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