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 Welcome This prayer space is open to the public for the purpose of personal meditation, prayer, and reflection as seen in the life and works of Venerable Solanus Casey, Capuchin. It's filled with plants and features to enrich your time here. The garden's stone arch displays the words "Ask. Seek. Knock." These are the same words at the entrance of the Solanus Casey Center in Detroit, where you're also invited to visit. They characterize the way Solanus lived his life, reassuring those burdened with cares of all kinds that "everything is going to be al right." And much to the relief of the multitudes who came to him, everything was all right! The grape vine and three clumps of grain near the archway commemorate Fr. Solanus' first celebration of the Eucharist here at St. Joseph Church over 100 years ago. If he were canonized today, Fr. Solanus Casey would be the first native-born male in the United States to be recognized as a saint. |
The Sculpture. The focal point of the garden is a bronze statue of Solanus Casey created by Russian sculptor Sergei Metrofanov. 
It depicts a young Solanus at the age he said his first Mass at
St. Joseph Church. One hand is extended, offering a
loaf of bread. The other hand is raised in blessing.
The gesture has a dual relevance. First, to Solanus Casey's
ministry of feeding the poor in the streets of Detroit.
Second, to his gift for feeding people spiritually, offering
Mass, and quietly listening to people and praying over them.
And offering you deposit in the box located here will be
used to feed the poor.
The Garden.A biblical garden features plants that are specifically mentioned in the Holy Bible. Because many biblical plants grown in the Mediterranean would not survive in our climate, the garden also incorporates additional plants from the lost language of plants. Long ago when illiteracy was commonplace, people would convey their sentiments to others with small posies or "tussy-mussies," each flower or leaf representing messages such as "I'm after your heart" or "Stay away from me." The language of plants was also used in the stained glass windows of churches, fabrics and other art. Recalling the monastic life, many of the herbs stand for virtues such as wisdom and healing. Note: Text in italics at the end of the description for each plant listed here give its antique significance and relevance in the lost language of plants. In the form of a broken earthen vessel, a small water feature invites you to ponder the many references to water in the Holy Bible - thirsting, quenching, refreshing, washing and giving life. There too His love is compared to a river washing in every direction over everyone on earth. "But now, O LORD, You are our Father, We are the clay, and You our potter; And all of us are the work of Your Hand." (Isaiah 64:8) |
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Angelonia (Angelonia angustilia) Inspiration. Apple (Malus) "Then God said, 'Let the earth sprout vegetation, plants yielding seed, and fruit trees on the earth bearing fruit after their kind with seed in them'; and it was so." (Genesis 1:11) Harmony; fame speaks him great and good; temptation. Arborvitae (Tuhja) "Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. (Revelation 22:14) Tree of Life, unchanging friendship. Bee Balm (Melissa officinalis) Compassion, virtue.  Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia birta) Justice. Burning Bush (Euonymus) "...and he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, yet the bush was not consumed." (Exodus 3:2)  Chive (Allium) Unity, humility, patience. Chrysanthemum (chysanthemum) Cheerfulness, optimism, joy, mirth. Comfrey (Symphytum) Home sweet home.  Daisy (Leucanthemum)
Innocence, simplicity.Dianthus (Dianthus) Note how the dianthus are planted in the shape of a cross. Deep, pure love; passion; maternal love; beauty. Dill (Anethum) "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites; because you tithe mint and dill and cumin and have left the weightier things of the law: judgment, mercy and faith." (Matthew 23:23) Irresistible; soothing. Dusty Miller (Senecio cineraria) Venerable. Flower of the Field (Narcissus) "As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of a field, so he flourishes." (Pslam 103:15) Self-esteem, mirth, do not abuse, beware of excess. Gladiolus (Gladiolus) Generosity; "You pierce my heart!" Grape (Vinus vinifera) "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit." (John 15:5) Prosperity; domestic happiness. Grass "But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which ia alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you?" (Matthew 6:30) The fleeting quality of life; submission. Hemlock (Tsuga) Bitterness.  Juniper
(Juniperus) "And he cast himself down, and
slept in the shadow of the juniper tree: and behold an angel
of the LORD touched him, and said to him: Arise and eat." (1
Kings 19:5) Protection, asylum.Iris (Iris siberica) Promise. Ivy (Hedera) Fidelity, constancy, friendship, trustfulness, ambition, tenacity. |
Korean
Spice Bush (Viburnum carlesi)
 Journeying, especially by foot; wayfaring.Lady Fern (Athyrum) Discretion, fascination, sincerity. Lamb's Ear (Stachys byzantina) Gentleness. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) Devotion; success and happiness; soothes the tremblings of the heart. Lenten Rose (Helleborus) Comfort in sadness. 
Lily (Lilium) "And who of you by being worried
can add a single hour to this life? And why are you worried
about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow;
they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that not
even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of
these." (Matthew 6:27-29) Resurrection, purity,
fruitfulness, majesty.Linden (Tilia) Martial fidelity.  Lobelia (Lobelia) Wishes of comfort in times of tension or panic. Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum) Discretion, fascination, sincerity. Marjoram (Origanum) Kindness, consolation. Meadow Sage (Salvia) Wisdom; I think of you! Melon (Cucumis) "We remember the fish which we used to eat free in Egypt, the cucumbers and the melons and the leeks and the onions and the garlic, but now our appetite is gone. There is nothing at all to look at except this manna." (Numbers 11:5-6) Millet (Panicum) "But as for you, take wheat, barley, beans, lentils, millet and spelt, put them in one vessel and make them into bread for yourself." (Ezekiel 4:9)  Mint
(Mentha) "But woe to you
Pharisees! For you pay tithe of mint and rue and
every kind of garden herb, and yet disregard justice
and the love of God..." (Luke 11:42) Warmth,
cordiality.Mulberry (Morus) "The apostles said to the LORD, 'Increase our faith!' And the LORD said, 'If you had faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and be planted in the sea'; and it would obey you.'" (Luke 17:5-60) Mustard (Brassicaceae) "Truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to here,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting." (Matthew 20-21) Myrtle (Vinca) "Instead of the thorn bush the cypress will come up, And instead of the nettle the myrtle will come up, And it will be a memorial to the LORD, For an everlasting sigh which will not be cut off." (Isaiah 41:19) Love, fidelity, peace, home, joy. |
 Orange
Blossum
(Philadelphus x virginalis) Chasity,
generosity.Our Lady's Mantle (Alchmilla) Comfort, protection. Parlsey (Petroselinum) Festivity, thanks, gratitude, useful knowledge, feasting. 
Pasqueflower (Anemone)
Named for the Passion of Passover.
Unpretentious.Passion Vine (Passiflora) These flowers fade after a single day - the time Jesus spent on the cross. The petals do not drop from the vine but re-close over the ovary, symbolizing the hidden wisdom that constitutes the Mysteries if the Cross and is like Jesus enclosed in the tomb. The fruit itself is the Earth for which Jesus promised salvation. Christian faith, religious fervor. Poppy (Papaver) Sleep. Rose (Rosa) [The Bride's Admiration] "I am the rose of Sharon, The lily of the valleys. (Song of Solomn (2:1) A rosary is a rose garden as well as a traditional popular devotion in the Roman Catholic Church. There are five rose bushes growing in this garden--one for each decade on the prayer beads. Love, beauty, grace, joy, unity; "You are gentle." Rosmary (Rosmarinus officinalis) Remembrance, fidelity, devotion, wisdom.  Saffron
or Autumn Crocus (Colchicum)
"Your shoots are an orchard of pomegranates, With
choice fruits, henna with nard plants, Nard and
saffron... You are a garden spring, A well of fresh
water..." (Song of Solomon 4:13-15) Youthful
gladness, pleasure of hope.Sage (Salvia officinalis) Wisdom, virtue, esteem; comfort in grief.  Speedwell
(Veronica) "We
adore you O Christ, and we praise you. Because by
your Holy Cross you have redeemed the world" (The
Sixth Station: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus.)
"For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was
thirsty and you gave me drink..." (Matthew 25:35-36)
Fidelity.Spruce (Picea Glauca) Immortality. Sweet Woodruff (Gallium) Note how the planting encircles the cross as a wreath. Eternal life and rejoicing; cordiality; athletic victory.  Thistle
(Globe) (Echinops
sphaerocephalus) "Other seed fell
among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked
it, and it yielded no crop. (Mark 4:7)
Austerity, grief. Thyme
(Thymus)
Bravery, courage and strength; Jesus' Manager. Tulip
(ulipa)
Charity; consuming love; happy years; memory.Virginia Creeper (parthenocissus quinquefolia) I cling to you both in sunshine and shade. Weigela (Weigela) "Accept a failthful heart!" Wormwood (Artemisia) Used throughout the Bible as an emphatic metaphor for any kind of biterness, calamity, sorrow or cruelty. "Rember my afflictions and my wandering, the wormwood and bitterness." (Lamentations 3:19) Affection; protection for travelers. Yarrow (Achillea) Health, cure, heals heartache, wounds and melancholy. |
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Memorial Opportunities For $100 each, engraved walkway pavers are available to commemorate baptisms, weddings, live of loved ones, anniversaries or any other suitable message. Proceeds go toward the ongoing work in the progress of this garden. Order forms are available in the parish office, or here on this web site. Thank you for visiting this place. Please know that everyone is always welcome here! |
| Courtyard links: Renovation | Photos | Dedication | Plants | Pavers |