August 26, 2011

What was in the news on Aug. 25, 1961? Papal advice to the rich and poor, a eulogy to modern age and an appeal for calm after cross burning

By Brandon A. Evans

50 Year LogoThis 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, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Here are some of the items found in the August 25, 1961, issue of The Criterion:

  • New Fatima Retreat House to be built near Ladywood
  • ACCM plans leadership institute
  • Pontiff advises rich and poor
    • “CASTELGANDOLFO, Italy—The rich should help the poor and the poor should help themselves, His Holiness Pope John XXIII said in commenting on his social encyclical ‘Mater et Magistra.’ … The pope [said] that absolute equality is not possible since God did not make all men equal. It is nonetheless necessary to make a constant effort to alleviate the condition of the underprivileged through justice and charity, he noted. ‘The rich must sanctify their goods,’ he said. ‘The poor must conduct their activities well in order to relieve their own condition. One must help the other. True wealth is in labor. Just recompense should pave the way for just distribution of wealth.’ ”
  • New adult education series set at Marian
  • Gives word of caution to superiors
  • Asks 10% of Religious for Latin America
  • Future of world for decade seen in Latin America
  • African prelate to visit Indianapolis on weekend
  • Thriving under freedom: The Tanganyika report
  • Sharing fully in Mass seen triumph of the age
    • “OKLAHOMA CITY—The future’s ‘richest eulogy’ of the modern age may be that in it Christians learned to participate fully in the Mass, delegates to the North American Liturgical Week here were told. Father William J. Leonard, S.J., of Boston, secretary of the national Liturgical Conference, declared it is ‘good to be living in a time when our Mass is becoming once more a community celebration.’ ‘It may be that the richest eulogy given to our generation will be that in our day the Christian people learned not only to “hear” Mass nor even to “assist at” it, but to share in it, joyfully and vocally, as brothers and children of the same Father, exercising their supreme privilege rather than simply fulfilling a burdensome obligation,’ Father Leonard said.”
  • Cites pressing need for liturgical reform
  • Speaker gives formula for ‘saving’ marriage
  • Layman takes pulpit at departure ceremony
  • Grief, fear mark German exodus
  • Court bars bus service to students
  • Expert says time not ripe for Orthodox reunion
  • Reminds youth of need for personal sacrifice
  • Appeals for cooperation by Catholics, Orthodox
  • Bishop asks for calm after cross burning
  • ‘Follow the crowd’: Charges Catholics lag in racial prejudice fight
  • Red threat in Bolivia emphasized
  • Rhodesia rioters burn down church

(Read all of these stories from our August 25, 1961, issue by logging on to our special archives.) †

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