Fr. Raphael Shen, S.J. was born on October 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 and University of Detroit Mercy as a professor and served as chairperson for the economics department at the time of death.
He died peacefully on October 27 at Colombiere Center in Clarkston, Mich.
Raph’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, Raph 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.
Raphael 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, and three brothers, Francis, Edward and John. He is also survived by nephews Pius, Joseph, Stephen, John, and Michael as well as nieces Madeleine, Mary, Donna, and Sheila.
Family will receive friends Thursday, Nov. 3 from 3-6:30 p.m. at Lansing-Reilly Hall, University of Detroit Mercy, 4001 W. McNichols Rd., Detroit. Wake to follow at 7 p.m. at Gesu Church, 17180 Oak Dr., in Detroit.
Funeral Mass will be held at the church in addition to being livestreamed Friday, Nov. 4, at 10 a.m. Visitation to begin at 9 a.m. For more information and to see the full obituary click here.
There will be a special Mass at 7:30 a.m. this Friday, Nov. 4 in St. Ignatius Chapel in the Commerce & Finance Building. Members of the Board of Trustees will be present and Fr. Bernie Owens, S.J., will be the presider.