Welcome
Thank you for visiting our website! After many years of providing hospitality to our neighbors in need in downtown Detroit, the Saint Aloysius Community Center is now doing so in a new and imaginative way.
What was formerly known as Saint Al's Warming Center is now the Canticle Cafe, so named in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi, whose landmark poem, The Canticle of the Creatures, calls all elements of creation into relationship with one another.
The Cafe welcomes all people to enjoy it's pleasant environment, surf the internet, browse the library and partake in a variety of beverages and light fare, much of which is prepared or baked on site. All at no cost!
Our Mission
The Canticle Cafe is a Franciscan ministry of radical hospitality extending community beyond the margins of traditional outreach and charity. We do this by:
- Serving those in need with uncompromising dignity, reverence and respect
- Providing quality food, clothing, counseling and learning opportunities free of charge.
- Utilizing Art, music, technology and library services to promote both human development and enrichment.
- Inviting our guests to participate in cafe operations and in learning how to carry out Bakery and Beanery responsibilities.
- Emphasizing the overarching Franciscan priority of relationship building: recognizing and celebrating the relatedness we share with all those we serve!