The following article was printed in the November 2010 issue of New Earth, page 8.

Remembering Significant Anniversaries of our Cardinal, Bishops

Father Andrew Jasinski

One hundred years ago, in June of 1910, Bishop O’Reilly became the second bishop of the Diocese of Fargo. Twenty-five years later, a year after Bishop O’Reilly’s death, the bishop who succeeded him encountered a very different world: the Great Depression had its hold on the economy, years of drought had turned the plain states into a Dust Bowl, Stalin was dictator in Communist Russia and Hitler would soon become one in Nazi Germany, and the Lambeth Conference of 1930 opened a “Pandora’s box” on the use of contraception among Christians. God had already prepared a shepherd uniquely qualified to guide his faithful through these issues.

Bishop Aloisius Muench was installed as bishop of Fargo,
Nov. 6, 1935, at the Cathedral of St. Mary, Fargo.

The new bishop occupies the
cathedra (bishop’s chair)
for the first time during
his installation Mass.

In 1935 the Diocese of Fargo had 70,000 Catholics, 132 priests, 187 churches and missions, 11 academies, 24 parish schools, seven Catholic hospitals, an orphanage — and a new bishop. The headline in The Catholic Bulletin announcing the appointment of the priest from Milwaukee to the See of Fargo was: “Brilliant Record of Msgr. Muench Wins Promotion.” A priest from Fargo who knew him said, “I believe from the bottom of my heart that we have gotten the finest man the Holy Father could pick out for us in all America.”

On Oct. 15, 1935, more than 1,600 people, including 30 priests from the Diocese of Fargo, attended Bishop Aloisius Muench’s episcopal ordination in the Church of the Gesu in Milwaukee (it was held there because Milwaukee’s fire-damaged cathedral was under repair). The principal consecrator was Archbishop Cicognani, the Apostolic Delegate to the United States, Pope Pius XI’s representative in this country.

Three weeks later Bishop Muench traveled to St. Paul with his family and friends, as well as Archbishop Stritch of Milwaukee and 50 of his priests. There they were met by Archbishop Murray, bishop of St. Paul, and 70 representatives of the Diocese of Fargo, and boarded a special train for the six-hour trip to the new bishop’s See. A large crowd of parishioners from St. Mary’s and St. Anthony’s (at the time, the only two parishes in the city of Fargo) met the bishop at the train station in Fargo. Automobiles were supplied for Bishop Muench and other dignitaries, while the people, a drum and bugle corps and a band, escorted them through the streets of Fargo to the bishop’s residence in 38-degree weather.

The next day, Nov. 6, Bishop Muench was installed in his cathedral by Archbishop Murray. Father Leo Dworschak (who later became the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Fargo) read the papal bull authorizing the occupation of the See. Father Vincent Ryan (who became the second bishop of the Diocese of Bismarck) formally welcomed him on behalf of the priests and people of the Diocese of Fargo:

“This day opens up a new chapter in the history of the Diocese of Fargo. The past as well as the future naturally engages our thoughts. Your Excellency comes to take charge of a diocese that has just emerged from pioneer conditions. . . . We, the priests and people of the Diocese of Fargo, envisage a great future for the Church in this diocese under your wise and benign leadership. May the Diocese of Fargo be blessed for many years with your guidance!”

This photo shows Cardinal Aloisius Muench as he arrived at Hector
Airport in Fargo in October 1960, in advance of his 25th anniversary.
His successor, Bishop Leo Dworschak, is to his right and
Father William Durkin stands to the caridinal’s left.

After a few words by Bishop Muench, the priests of the Diocese of Fargo went one by one to the new bishop, knelt before him, and kissed his episcopal ring as a sign of their reverence and obedience. After these rites, the holy sacrifice of the Mass was celebrated. More than one hour of the ceremony was carried live on WDAY radio.

Afterward, a banquet was held at the Gardner Hotel for Bishop Muench and the 500 bishops and priests who attended the installation. Father William Mulloy, at the time the pastor of Grafton (who in 1945 became the bishop of Covington, Ky.), presided. Among the speakers that evening was Archbishop Stritch, who spoke about Bishop Muench’s accomplishments in Milwaukee. He concluded with the words, “To Fargo we are giving one of the choicest jewels of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.” Bishop Muench used the opportunity to address the clergy of his diocese for the first time, reflecting with them on the great dignity of the priesthood and the challenges of their work.

The following day almost 1,000 people from Fargo and towns across the diocese attended a reception for their new bishop. Walter Clemens from Fargo was the toastmaster. Greetings were also given by Edward Traynor of Starkweather, E.J. Gurski of Jamestown, C.F. Peterson of Grand Forks, C.H. Mergens of Bismarck (state deputy of the Knights of Columbus), Father Egan, rector of St. Mary’s Cathedral, and Father Ryan. Once the celebrations were over, Bishop Muench settled into his new position as Bishop of Fargo.

After an incredible career as Bishop of Fargo, Apostolic Nuncio to Germany (1946-1959), and Prince of the Church in Rome (in 1959 he was elevated to the College of Cardinals), Cardinal Muench returned to the Diocese of Fargo to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his episcopal ordination. The world was different than when he first came: this time he arrived on an airplane, television cameras provided coverage, the economy was booming, Stalin and Hitler were dead,—but it would be still a few more years before the encyclical Humanae Vitae was published, in which Pope Paul VI definitively defended the Church’s teaching against the use of artificial contraception. At the time of Cardinal Muench’s death one and one half years later, the next four bishops of the Diocese of Fargo had already been born. The Lord was preparing new shepherds to guide his people.

We would be remiss if we did not recall all the significant episcopal anniversaries this year: the 100th anniversary of Bishop O’Reilly’s episcopal ordination, the 75th of Cardinal Muench’s, the 50th anniversary of Bishop Dworschak becoming the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Fargo, the 40th of Bishop Driscoll’s episcopal ordination, and the 25th of Bishop Sullivan becoming the sixth bishop. Each man was uniquely capable of addressing the issues of their day.

Father Jasinski is Director of Formation at Cardinal Muench Seminary, Fargo.