Celebration marks elevation of local church to minor basilica

ROYAL OAK (AP) - A celebration has taken place this week to mark the elevation of a historic Catholic church in suburban Detroit to the status of minor basilica.

The Detroit News reports more than 1,000 people gathered Wednesday evening for a Mass at National Shrine of the Little Flower led by Detroit Archbishop Allen Vigneron. He says the status makes the Royal Oak parish "an outpost for the Roman church."

The Shrine of the Little Flower is one of 82 minor basilicas in the U.S. The other one in Michigan is the Basilica of St. Adalbert in Grand Rapids.

The church was founded in 1926 and is named for St. Therese of Lisieux. The French nun known as the "Little Flower" became a saint in 1925.

Published: Fri, Apr 24, 2015