Fr. Raphael Shen, SJ, entered eternal life on Oct. 27, 2022, at the age of 84.
Fr. Shen was born on Oct. 29, 1937 in Shanghai, China. He left the mainland and went to Hong Kong, where he entered the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) in 1958. After regency in the Philippines and studying theology at Regis College in Toronto, he was ordained a priest on May 30, 1970, and went on to Michigan State University to earn a doctorate in economics. He spent 45 years teaching at the University of Detroit (later the University of Detroit Mercy) as full professor and at the time of death served as chairperson for the economics department. He died peacefully on Oct. 27 at Colombiere Center.
Fr. Shen’s legacy to scholarship consisted of seven books and several scholarly articles, primarily on the transitional economies of Eastern Europe as well the systemic transformation of China’s economy. In addition to his duties at the University, Fr. Shen traveled weekly to Selfridge Air Force Base to celebrate Mass with its Catholic community as well as serving as chaplain at a local correctional facility.
Fr. Shen was preceded in death by his parents Cecilia and Joseph and his eldest brother Michael Shen. He is survived by his two sisters, Theresa S. Connolly, Sr. Emmanuel Shen, fmm, and three brothers, Francis, Edward and John. He is also survived by nephews Pius, Joseph, Stephen, John, & Michael as well as nieces Madeleine, Mary, Donna, & Sheila.
Visitation will take place Thursday, Nov. 3, from 3-6 p.m. at Lansing Reilly Hall, University of Detroit Mercy, 4001 W. McNichols Road, Detroit, MI 48221, with a wake at 7 m. at Gesu Church, 17180 Oak Dr, Detroit, MI 48221.
Another visitation will take place Friday, Nov. 4, at Gesu Church at 9 a.m., followed by a funeral Mass at 10 a.m. The funeral will be livestreamed.
A reception will take place afterward at 11 a.m. in Lansing Reilly Hall, University of Detroit Mercy. Burial at 2 p.m. at the Jesuit Cemetery at Colombiere Center, 9075 Big Lake Road, Clarkston, MI 48346.
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
