March 1, 2013

What was in the news on March 1, 1963?

Two Americans get closer to sainthood, and Pope John XXIII has a new way to honor St. Joseph

Criterion logo from the 1960sBy Brandon A. Evans

This week, we continue to examine what was going on in the Church and the world 50 years ago as seen through the pages of The Criterion.

Here are some of the items found in the March 1, 1963, issue of The Criterion:

  • Catholic schools are called essential culture witness
  • Textbook bill passes Rhode Island Senate
  • Beatification causes move step forward
    • “VATICAN CITY—His Holiness, Pope John XXIII, promulgated decrees [Feb . 25] declaring the authenticity of miracles worked through the intercession of two American candidates for beatification—Mother Elizabeth Bayley Seton and Bishop John Nepomucene Neumann, C.ss.R. This leaves—in principle—two more steps to be taken before the foundress of the Sisters of Charity in the United States and the fourth Bishop of Philadelphia can be beatified. These are the decrees of ‘tuto’ [safe to go ahead with the beatifications] and canvassing the views of the cardinals, archbishops and bishops in Rome concerning the prospective beatifications. But the dates for the beatifications have already been set—at least tentatively: March 17 for Mother Seton and June 23 for Bishop Neumann.”
  • Vernacular views hit: Liturgist barred earlier by C.U., paper reports
  • C.U. rector reaffirms stand on theologians
  • Conference to deal with urban affairs
  • Sisters write home: Report from the missions
  • First in history: Mosaic image of Saint Joseph being made for Vatican Basilica
    • “VATICAN CITY—St. Peter’s Basilica is getting its first permanent image of St. Joseph—a 10 by 6 1/2 –foot mosaic. The mosaic, which is being made at the Vatican mosaic studio, is expected to be mounted by Easter. It has been planned as a memorial to the steps His Holiness Pope John XXIII has taken to give more honor to the foster father of Christ. Pope John, who was baptized with the name of Joseph, … put the Second Vatican Council under the patronage of St. Joseph.”
  • Urges priests to display ‘a courage of the spirit’
  • Mexico’s Catholics fighting for freedom of education
  • Moscow visit brought observers to council
  • Honor Negro woman doctor
  • Christians are blamed for social imbalance
  • Sees council emphasizing bishops’ role
  • Life on other planets? No, says Jesuit expert
  • Says laity’s role not sure
  • Pope honors theatre owners
  • U.S. Catholic Relief tops agency report
  • Latest Supreme Court obscenity ruling probed
  • Pope’s message opens children’s campaign to aid world’s needy
  • Explains why bishops back ‘liberal’ views

(Read all of these stories from our March 1, 1963, issue by logging on to our special archives.) †

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