Fr. Philip Naessens, OFM Cap., passed from this life on Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024.
Richard Paul Naessens entered the lives of Maurice Louis and Evelyn Rose (Siler) Naessens on Aug. 23, 1934. Maurice, Evelyn, and Phil’s siblings Francis, Joyce, Ernest, and Evelyn lived on a farm in Merrill, Michigan, where Philip grew up “milking forty-seven cows twice a day, watching over a herd of pigs, grooming a team of horses, feeding a flock of chickens, tending to four dogs, twenty-three cats and two canaries as pets.” Philip discerned a desire to study for the priesthood and decided to become a Capuchin because “I feel that is the best way I could serve God. I love the Franciscan Capuchin way of living.” Telling his parents was hard: “They were dumbfounded. I could tell my father was hurt, as he had plans for me as a farmer… but I received their blessing.”
Philip entered the novitiate at St. Bonaventure Monastery on Aug. 24 and was invested on Aug. 31, 1955. He made his first profession on Sept. 1, 1956, and began his post-novitiate formation at St. Felix Friary in Huntington, Indiana. He made his perpetual profession on September 1, 1959. Philip continued his formation at St. Mary Seminary in Crown Point, Indiana, for a year before spending the next three years at St. Anthony in Marathon, Wisconsin. During this time, he began to have doubts about the priesthood, and after discussions with his superiors, it was decided that he would continue as a religious brother. Philip spent his final year in formation at Sacred Heart Friary in Baraga, Michigan.
His first assignment was as General Manager of Queen of Angels Retreat Center in Saginaw, Michigan, where he served for two years before being transferred to St. Bonaventure Monastery in March 1966. There, he ministered as Porter and in promoting the Capuchin Charity Guild until October 1970.
In April 1969, Philip formally requested to volunteer in the General Custody of Australia to assist in their formation program. A year later, he reiterated his desire to “help in the best way I can” for three years. In August 1970, Philip received his letter of obedience from General Minister Paschalis Rywalski, and he joined the formation team as Assistant Postulancy Director at Assumption Seminary in Plumpton, New South Wales, Australia, serving from October 1970 until 1977. As he departed for Australia, he hoped “all my friends here will pray for me so that I will do a good job.”
Upon his return to the United States in April 1977, Philip became a valued member of the parish staff at St. Mary Magdalen in Hazel Park, Michigan. It was during this time that he reconsidered his calling to the priesthood. Missing his work “Down Under” and receiving repeated requests from friars to return to Australia, Philip asked to go back, which was granted. He then served as the Assistant Director of Novices at St. Lawrence Friary in Wynnum, North Queensland, Australia.
Philip returned to St. Bonaventure Monastery in Detroit in 1982 for brief ministry before starting theology studies at Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners, Wisconsin, with the intent of being ordained to the priesthood. He lived at St. Fidelis Friary in Milwaukee during his ministry formation, returning to Detroit for Clinical Pastoral Education training. Philip graduated cum laude with a Master's in Divinity.
On Dec. 7, 1985, our Capuchin brother Paul Schmitz, then auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Bluefields, Nicaragua, ordained Philip a deacon. Philip was assigned to St. Anthony Parish in Saginaw, Michigan, for his ministry formation. He was ordained a priest on June 25, 1986, at St. Mary Magdalen, Hazel Park, Michigan, alongside his Capuchin brothers, Bede Louzon and Frank Voris.
Philip’s first assignment as a priest was at St. Clare Retreat House in St. Clair, Michigan, where he served for one year. He was then called back to St. Bonaventure Monastery, where he ministered from 1986 to 1991 in various roles, including the front office, Capuchin Charity Guild, and as local vicar.
In July 1991, Philip became the pastor of St. Ann Parish in Baraga, Michigan, and served as spiritual assistant to the Secular Franciscans until the summer of 1997. He returned to St. Bonaventure Monastery, where he continued his ministry as building manager for the Secular Franciscan Hall, front office ministry, and as local vicar until his retirement in 2017. Philip was known as a compassionate confessor.
Philip received personalized memory care at St. Bonaventure Monastery until mid-August 2024 when a severe decline required specialized care. After stabilization, he returned to his beloved monastery, where he passed away peacefully on the evening of August 17, 2024.
In his funeral plan's ‘additional requests’ section, Philip simply noted, "Thanks for everything; I hope to see you in heaven!”
A funeral Mass was celebrated Aug. 22 at St. Bonaventure Monastery in Detroit. The funeral Mass was live-streamed and will be made available online for viewing later on thecapuchins.org.
Obituaries for clergy and religious who have lived or served in the Archdiocese of Detroit may be emailed to [email protected]. Obituaries are printed as they are submitted, but may be edited for grammar and style. Detroit Catholic reserves the right to refuse or edit any submissions.
Copy Permalink
