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The Northern Cross
As the Diocese of Duluth discerns a potential cause for its patriarch, Msgr. Joseph Buh, who died in 1922, two new resources for Catholics getting to know the holy priest have been released: A new website dedicated to him and a short biographical booklet talking about his life and ministry.
The two resources join the prayer cards that are already under wide distribution across the diocese.
A book-length biography of Msgr. Buh, called “Masinaigans,” was written in 1971 by Benedictine Sisters Bernard Coleman and Verona LaBud, of St. Scholastica Monastery. (The title comes from an Ojibwe name given to Msgr. Buh by the native people he ministered to and means “little book,” likely referring to the priest’s breviary.)
But that book is currently difficult to find. The new booklet is 24 pages long but is a quick and informative read.
“The booklet, which should have been made available in parishes by now, will give the faithful a good introduction to who Msgr. Buh was,” said Father Richard Kunst, who is guiding the discernment of the Msgr. Buh cause. “It is a nice summary of his life that is pleasing to look at, for no other reason than the many great photos of Buh and his effects. I hope the booklet whets the appetite for the faithful to learn more about him.”
Pastors have access to the booklet to potentially distribute them in parishes, and it is also available for free download from the new website dedicated to Msgr. Buh.
Father Kunst said the new site, found at www.josephbuh.org, is still in progress but already has many photos, as well as opportunities to volunteer and to get emails about the progress of the potential cause for Msgr. Buh. It also links to information on how a cause for canonization works.
“We want the site to be the place where people learn about this great missionary priest and how he brought the Gospel and sacraments to all peoples in Minnesota,” Father Kunst said. “It is great to be able to use modern technology to tell his story, which is beyond inspiring.
“The more I learn about Msgr. Buh, the more amazed I am at his story and his selflessness,” he added. “It should be a source of pride that our diocese has had a priest of such caliber. We want his story to reach as many people as possible, and this website is a good step in that direction.”