I have celebrated Mass in the dining room of a rectory, volunteered at a soup kitchen and even sang Happy Birthday in Polish. Catholic Detroit is full of surprises and full of graces. My Year of Faith pilgrimage has done more than just teach me about our faith, the pilgrimage has brought me closer to God.
St. Anne Church is the mother church for Detroit. Established in 1701 just after the city was founded along a strip of water connecting the Great Lakes. The building has changed over the years as fires and the trials of human life have necessitated it being rebuilt. But the parish endures and thrives welcoming the surrounding neighborhood and Catholics from all over Metro Detroit.
The Feast of Saint Anne is just days after the birthday of Detroit and this is why Saint Anne is the patroness of the city. For 312 years St. Anne has watched over Detroit, interceding on our behalf. The city has survived catastrophic fire, disease outbreaks, riots, economic decline and now a looming bankruptcy. Through all this Detroit has survived and our faith has never been stronger.
A strong and faithful Detroit was gathered on this Feast of St. Anne. The pews were full with the diversity of God's children. Our voices erupted as one singing praise to God in union with the angels and saints above. We joyfully processed with the statue of St. Anne after Mass gathering outside to pray the rosary. Outside as dusk fell candles twinkled around us like the stars of the heavens. Our voices echoed as we prayed the Glory Be and the Hail Mary.
For 312 years, Detroiters have celebrated the feast day of our patroness St. Anne. For 312 years Catholic Detroiters have gathered to pray and worship. For 312 years Detroit has endured under the patronage of St. Anne and the grace of God. And 312 years from now, God's children in Detroit will gather and pray together.
Faith in God
Love of God
Hope in God
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