As we approach the celebration of Christmas, we find it very busy. December is also a busy month in the history of the Catholic Church in Indiana. Beside the items mentioned in my last post, I also want to mention that on December 18th, we remember Benjamin Petit the hero of the Potawatomi people who were forced from their land in 1838 and accompanied by Fr. Petit. This was known as the Trail of Death. Petit received minor orders on this date.
On December 19, 1944, the papal decree of Pope Pius XII establishing the archdiocese of Indianapolis was solemnly proclaimed in SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral, elevating Indianapolis to the status of an arch diocese. The state of Indiana then became the metropolitan area. The dioceses of Evansville and Lafayette-in-Indiana were created by the same decree and, along with the Diocese of Fort Wayne, made suffragan sees of Indianapolis. Upon establishment of the Diocese of Gary on February 25, 1957, it too became a suffragan see.
Listen to the reading of the decree – December 19, 1944
[audio:https://indianacatholic.mwweb.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Decree-December-1944.mp3|titles=Decree-December 1944]
On December 21, 1906, the Cathedral of Sts. Peter and Paul was dedicated. The “chapel” had been dedicated in 1892. The cathedral was the dream of Bishop Francis Chatard.
