1946
On January 6, Pope Pius XII published his Papal Encyclical, Quemadmodum, an appeal for the world’s destitute children.

Pope Pius XII names St. Anthony of Padua, Doctor of the Church. He was the twenty-ninth to be so named.

Pope Pius XII elevated thirty-three Bishops to the Sacred College of Cardinals. Among the notables in the distinguished list were Bishop Francis Spellman of New York; Bishop Samuel Stritch of Chicago; Bishop Edward Mooney of Detroit; and Bishop John Glennon of St. Louis.

Blessed Frances Xavier (Mother) Cabrini was Canonized a Saint.

United States Senator, Robert F. Wagner of New York, a long time national political leader, converted to the Catholic Faith.

Pope Pius XII sets up the Hierarchy in China.

Reverend James Keller, M.M., founds the Christopher Movement in the United States. The Movement tries to bring Christian principles to American public and private life.

1947
Blessed Catherine Laboure was Canonized a Saint.

The Venerable Ludovic Pavoni, Founder of the Sons of Mary Immaculate; was solemnly Beatified.

Blessed Michael Garicoits; Founder of the Priests of the Sacred Heart of Betharram; Blessed Elizabeth Bicher Des Ages and Blessed Louis De Montfort were Canonized Saints as was Blessed Nicholas Von Flue.

Archbishop Ritter of St. Louis opens Parochial schools to Negroes.

The United States Bishops define Secularism.

The Everson Case. The United States Supremem Court supported the use of tax funds to provide free bus transportation for parochial school children as a Constitutional right.

Pope Pius XII publishes three Papal Encyclicals, Fulgens Radiatur, the 14th Centenary of St. Benedict; Mediator Dei, on Sacred Liturgy; and Optatissima Pax, prescribing prayers for world peace.

The Dead Sea Scrolls are found in Wadi Qumran. The text of the Prophet Isaia was found to be identical to that of the Septuagint. The Scrolls were wrapped in linen and found by two Bedouin shepherd youths in a cave near the Qumran area in the northwestern region of the Dead Sea in Palestine. The Scrolls were found in earthen jars, covered with a pitch of tar-like substance. The writing on the Scrolls was in Hebrew and Aramaic. The Scrolls are now owned and retained by the Hebrew University where qualified scholars are permitted to study them.

1948
The La Salette Missionaries opened their first contingent from the United States and arrived in the Philippines.

The first group of DP’s (refugees) from Europe, including many Catholics, arrive in the United States.

Pierre Teilhard De Chardin was refused publication for his heretical Phenomenon of Man, that he had written earlier.

Pope Pius XII publishes two Papal Encyclicals, Auspica Quaedam, asking for prayers for the solution of the Palestinian problem; and In Multiplicibus Curis, on prayers for the Palestinian problem.

Santa Maria University of Ponce, Puerto Rico was founded by Bishop James E. McManus, C.S.S.R.; it was the first Catholic University in Puerto Rico.

1949
The Cursillo Movement originated in the Monastery of San Honorato on the Island of Majorca, Spain. The word Cursillo, in Spanish literally means Little Course. The Movement began when a group of men dedicated themselves to bringing the men of their city to know Jesus Christ. The Movement continued to grow as they talked and prayed together about it. It is a wonderful story of how God taught a group of men to work for Him in an effective way that bears fruit. The objective of the Cursillo Movement is to change the world by remaking it according to the Mind of Christ and thereby restoring to Christ the entire Christian life through a restructuring of the Christian environment. It is a Unity Movement, for an isolated Christian is a paralyzed Christian.

The first Trappistines in the United States arrive at Wrentham, Massachusetts.

Ten American women are Canonically trained in Ireland.

Pierre Teilhard De Chardin is refused publication for another heretical work, The Human Zoological Group. Chardin’s printing and activities were also restricted. Chardin, promoted Pantheism, which unlocked the door for the New Age Movement.

Pope Pius XII publishes his Papal Encyclical, Redemptoris Nostri, on the Holy Places in Palestine.

Blessed Jeanne De Lestonnac and Maria Giuseppa Rosello are Canonized Saints.

Pope Pius XII issues the Decree of Excommunication for all Communists.

The Excavations under St. Peter’s Basilica were completed. St. Peter’s Bones were not found at this time. The excavations were promoted by Pope Pius XII in 1939 in an attempt to find the bones of our first Pope, St. Peter. The bones were eventually found.

1950
Pope Pius XII celebrates the Holy Year Jubilee. 90,000 pilgrims from the United States visited Rome from the Holy Year Jubilee.

Pope Pius XII names St. John Baptist De La Salle the Heavenly Patron of school-teachers. He founded the Brothers of the Christian Schools.

Pope Pius XII declares by Papal Infallibility, the Dogma of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, bodily into Heaven.

The National Council of Churches was organized. This is the largest organization of ecumenical and cooperative church groups. It is directed in its Missions, educational, and communicational activities, its regional and local ecumenical works together with its relief services. They are governed by a Board of Directors.

Blessed Vincentia Gerosa; co-Foundress of the Sisters of Charity of Lovere was Canonized a Saint.

The Korean War begins in June.

Death of Archbishop John T. McNichols of Cincinnati.

General J. Lawton Collins, Army Chief of Staff, receives the Latare Medal at Notre Dame. General McNichols was also involved with D-Day during World War II.

Parochial schools opened in the Panama Canal Zone.

The Catholics in the United States collected 5,000 pounds of clothing during Thanksgiving week for the relief work in Korea.

Pope Pius XII publishes four Papal Encyclicals, Anni Sacri, on combating atheistic propaganda; Summi Maeroris, on Peace; Humani Generis, concerning false opinions; and Mirabile Illud, on Peace.

Monsignor Fulton J. Sheen becomes the National Director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith.

1950-1953
The Korean War.

1951
Blessed Emily De Vialar; Foundress of the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Apparition was Canonized a Saint.

Blessed Anthony Gianelli; Bishop of Bobbio, Founder of the Missioners of St. Alphonsus and the Sisters of St. Mary Dell’ Orto was Canonized a Saint.

Monsignor Fulton J. Sheen was consecrated Bishop in Rome and began his career as a Televangelists. In the fall he began his Life is worth living show.

Francis P. Matthews, Secretary of the Navy, a Catholic, was appointed Ambassador to Dublin, Ireland.

Sister Naya Pelagie, becomes the first native Eskimo Nun in the Community of the Grey Nuns of Nicolet.

Venerable Pope Pius X was solemnly Beatified.

Czechoslovakia and Poland experience severe persecutions administered by the Communist government.

The Russian Konstantin Rokossovsky, Poland’s Defense Minister, was removed from power in 1948 and imprisoned this year on the charges of suspicion of disloyalty to the U.S.S.R..

Pierre Teilhard De Chardin moves to the United States.

The Vatican Order received approval to begin microfilming Vatican documents.

1951-1966
Bishop Fulton J. Sheen is the Auxiliary Bishop of New York.

1952
Pope Pius XII publishes his Papal Encyclical, Orientales Ecclesias, on the persecution of the Church in the East.

February 12, 1952 The Roman Catholic program "Life is Worth Living" debuted on television. Hosted by Bishop Fulton J. Sheen, the half- hour program aired on Tuesday nights.

Bishop Sheen received the Look Television Award and an Emmy.

Mother Theresa opens the Nirma Hriday (Pure Heart) Home for the dying.

1953
Death of the great Catholic apologist, historian, and writer, Joseph-Pierre Hilaire Belloc. He always went by the name of Hilaire. He wrote many books about the Catholic Faith. He was a good friend of another Catholic writer, G.K. Chesterton. In 1910, the two and Chesterton’s brother, Cecil, formed the partnership of the Chesterbellocs. There is ample evidence and reason to believe that it was Hilaire Belloc that converted G.K. Chesterton to the Catholic Faith. I look forward to his Canonization.

Bishop Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, the future Pope John XXIII, was elevated to the Sacred College of Cardinals.

Pope Pius XII publishes two Papal Encyclicals, Doctor Mellifluus, the 12th Centenary of St. Bernard; and Fulgens Corona, on the Marian Year.

1954
Pope Pius XII celebrates the Marian Year Jubilee.

The Venerable John Martin Moye, a missionary priest in China and the Founder of the Sisters of Divine Providence was solemnly Beatified. The Venerable Placid Riccardi was also Beatified. Blessed Dominic Savio is Canonized a Saint.

In April the Knights of Columbus were successful in having the words "under God" added to the Pledge of Allegiance in the US.

Pope Pius XII publishes four Papal Encyclicals, Sacra Virginitas, on consecrated virginity; Ecclesiae Fastos, the 12th Centenary of St. Boniface; Ad Sinarum Gentum, on the suffering of the Church in China; and Ad Caeli Reginum, on the Coronation of Our Lady.

1955
The Venerable Marcellinus Champagnat, Founder of the teaching Congregation of the Little Brothers of Mary, or Marist Brothers, was solemnly Beatified.

The Holy Martyrs Leo Ignatius Mangin, Ann Wang, and their Companions, four French Jesuit priests, and fifty-two Chinese laics were solemnly Beatified. They suffered Martyrdom in 1900 as victims of the Boxer’s Rebellion.

The Holy Martyrs John Baptist Turpin Du Cormier, Mary L’Huilier and their Companions, fourteen priests, three Nuns, and a lay woman, were solemnly Beatified. They suffered Martyrdom during the French Revolution.

On Christmas Day, Pope Pius XII published his Papal Encyclical, Musicae Sacrae, on Sacred Music.

1956
Pope Pius XII publishes four Papal Encyclicals, Haurietus Aquas, on Devotion to the Sacred Heart; Luctuosissimi Eventus, on prayers for peace and justice in Eastern Europe; Laetamur Admodum, on prayers for peace; and Datis Nuperrime, on the Repression of the Hungarian Revolt.

1957
Pope Pius XII publishes four Papal Encyclicals, Fidei Donum, on the repression of the Hungarian Revolt; Invicti Athletae, the Third Centenary of the death of St. Andrew Bobola; Le Pelerinage De Lourdes, Centenary of the Apparition of Lourdes; and Miranda Prorsus, on modern mass communications.

The Venerable Eugenia Smet, Foundress of the Helpers of the Holy Souls, was solemnly Beatified.

The Venerable Theresa Jornet Ibara, Foundress of the Little Sister of the Aged Poor, was also solemnly Beatified. Bishop Sheen’s Life is Worth Living show returns.

1958
The National Catholic Social Action Conference is formed.

On September 8, the Feast of the Birth of Mary, Pope Pius XII published his last Papal Encyclical, Ad Apostolorum Principus, on the excommunication of pro-Communist Chinese Prelates.

Death of Pope Pius XII, on October 8. He was the first Pope to become widely known by radio and television. He was a good and Holy man, admired by millions. He died at Castel Gondolfo; his last years were spent prostrated with frequent illness. He was the Pope of Peace, authoritarian in style, and was not afraid to stand up to the evils in the world, as he showed time and time again in World War II. I look forward to his Canonization.

John XXIII becomes Pope. He was Cardinal Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli. In his spare time he enjoyed writing monograms on diocesan history and St. Charles Borromeo. He spent a great deal of time researching in the Vatican Library, where he met Achille Ratti, who was Pope Pius XI.

1959
Pope John XXIII names St. Lawrence of Brindisi, Doctor of the Church.

Pope John XXIII publishes four Papal Encyclicals this year, all within the first six months of his Pontificate, Ad Petri Cathedram, on Truth, Unity, and Peace; Sacerdotii Nostri Primordia, the First Centenary of the death of St. Jean Baptiste Vianney; Grata Recordio, on the Rosary; and Princeps Pastorum, on the missions and the native clergy.

The Venerable Helen Guerra, Foundress of the Congregation of St. Rita, later called the Oblates of the Holy Spirit, was Beatified. It was through this Blessed woman that our beloved Pontiff, Leo XIII wrote his Papal Encyclical, Divinum Illud Munus on devotion to the Holy Spirit.

The Venerable Mary Margaret D’Youville was Beatified. She was widowed in 1722 and devoted herself to hospital work and in 1738 founded the Grey Nuns of Canada. She died on December 23, 1771.

1960
Pope John XXIII called the first Synod in Rome’s history, in the St. John Lateran; an overture to the Vatican Council II.

In November, Senator John F. Kennedy from Mass. won the Presidential election of the United States. He is the only Roman Catholic to ever be elected.

1961
Pope John XXIII publishes two Papal Encyclicals, Mater Et Magistra, on social justice; and Aeterna Dei Sapienta, the 15th Centenary of the death of Pope St. Leo the Great.

Cardinal Giovanni Montini, the future Pope Paul VI, visits Dublin, Ireland.

Nasrallal Pierre Sfeir, the Spiritual Advisor to the Order of Malta, is consecrated a Bishop in the Marionite Diocese of Sarba, Lebennon.

1962
Pope John XXIII publishes his Papal Encyclical, Paenitentiam Agere, on Penance.

Pope John XXIII urges both the United States and U.S.S.R. to exercise caution in the Cuban missal crisis.

Cardinal Giovanni Montini, the future pope Paul VI, visits Africa.

Pope John XXIII issues a Monitum (warning) against the Serious Errors in the teachings and works of the Jesuit, Pierre Teilhard De Chardin.

On April 15, Pope John XXIII deceed that all Cardinals are to be raised to the Episcopal dignity upon election.

1962-1965
Vatican Council II. The Council was called by Pope John XXIII and he opened the Ecumenical session on September 11, 1962 in St. Peter’s Basilica, and closed the first session on December 8, of the same year. This first session discussed six schemata in thirty-six general congregations. 2300 Bishops and Prelates attended the Council. The Papal Throne was placed near the Confession of St. Peter under the fore-arch of the Dome. Bishop Fulton J. Sheen was originally appointed to the Conciliar Commission on the Lay Apostolate, in October of 1962 how was chosen to be a member of the Commission on the Missions. He was the only American on the Commission for the duration of Vatican II. The Council promulgated 16 Conciliar Documents and 256 Post Counciliar Documents; one of these documents permitted the Sacrifice of the Holy Mass to be said in the vernacular language. Leading Protestant clergy members were invited to observe the Council in an effort to promote ecumenism.

1963
Pope John XXIII publishes his last Papal Encyclical, on April 10, Pacem In Terris, on hopes for peace.

The Venerable Vincent Romano, the Parish priest of Herculano, was Beatified.

The Venerable Leonard Murialdo, Founder of the Society of St. Joseph of Turin, was solemnly Beatified.

The Venerable Dominic Barberi, the Passionist priest who received John Henry Newman into the Church, was solemnly Beatified.

The Venerable Aloysius Palazzio, Founder of the Brothers of the Holy Family and the Sisters of the Poor, was also solemnly Beatified.

The Venerable Elizabeth Ann Seaton, the Foundress of the Sisters of Charity, becomes the first native born American citizen to ever be solemnly Beatified.

Death of Pope John XXIII. Paul VI becomes Pope. He was Cardinal Giovanni Battista Montini. He was ordained in 1920, he was appointed Archbishop of Milan in 1954. He was made a Cardinal in 1958 by Pope John XXIII.

In Dallas, Texas, November 22, United States President, John F. Kennedy, the only Catholic ever to be President thus far, (1998), was assassinated. Vice President, Lyndon B. Johnson, a Mason, was sworn in as President.

1964
Pope Paul VI travels to Jerusalem in January to meet with the ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Athenagoras I. This was the first meeting between the Pope and Patriarch since 1439.

Bishop Fulton J. Sheen was presented the Order of Lafayette Freedom Award for his distinguished leadership in combating Communism.

Pope Paul VI opens the Third Session of Vatican II on September 14.

Bishop Fulton J. Sheen delivers the address in St. Peter’s on the topic of the Missions on November 9, during the third Session of Vatican II.

The Third Session of Vatican II closes on November 21.

Bishop Fulton J. Sheen begins his second television series, Quo Vadis America.

1965
Pope Paul VI and Greek Orthodox ecumenical Patriarch, Athenagoras I issued a joint statement removing the excommunication issued by both, the Eastern and Western Churches against each other in 1054.

Bishop Fulton J. Sheen prepared twenty-five records on Christian Philosophy. Each of these talks were about thirty minutes, and he called them, Life is Worth Living.

Vatican Council II reopens for its final Session on September 14.

Pope Paul VI becomes the first Pope in history to visit the United States as the Supreme Pontiff. It was October 4, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi. The Holy Father pleaded with the United Nations for World Peace. He offered the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass at Yankee Stadium.

Bishop Fulton J. Sheen also returned to the United States in October at the request of the CBS television network. Bishop Sheen was asked to be Special Narrator of Pope Paul VI’s visit to the United Nations.

Bishop Sheen was re-appointed to the Post-Conciliar Missions Commission.

Thirty-seven years after the death of Sister Mary Helen Faustina Kowalska, Bishop Julian Groblicki, specially delegated by Archbishop Karol Wojtyla, begins with a solemn session in the Archdiocese of Cracow, the Informative Process relating to the life and virtues of Sister Faustina. From this moment on, Sister Faustina is worthy of the Title, Servant of God.

Vatican Council II was ratified and solemnly closed by Pope Paul VI on December 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

1966
Pope Paul VI proclaims an Extraordinary Jubilee, from January 1 to May 1 for reflection and renewal in the light of Vatican Council II’s teachings.

Bishop Fulton J. Sheen begins his third television series, The Bishop Sheen Program in color!

Bishop Fulton J. Sheen is appointed Bishop of Rochester, New York by Pope Paul VI. He was installed December 15.

Pope Paul VI confers with the head of the Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury, Arthur Michael Ramsey.

Harold R. Perry becomes the second African American Roman Catholic Bishop since the U.S. was founded and the first in this century.

1967
In a Papal Encyclical, Pope Paul VI reaffirmed the traditional Church bans on priestly matrimony. He also met with Communist President Nikolay V. Podgomy.

Pope Paul VI established the Prefecture of Economic Affairs Office on August 15.

The Charismatic Movement originates on the campuses of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; South Bend, Indiana, and East Lansing, Michigan.

Pope Paul VI established the Synod of Bishops to meet biannually.

1968
Pope Paul VI publishes his famous Papal Encyclical, Humanae Vitae, of Human Life. This Encyclical forbids the use of artificial birth control. It was mainly directed toward the pill and its abortive properties; but includes all artificial means of contraceptives. Artificial means of birth control must be stopped, it is an Abomination of sin. Avoiding artificial birth control must be done with respect for the order established by God. See Genesis 38:8

Death of Padre Pio of Pietralcina, the Holy Stigmatist, on September 23. He bore the wounds of Christ for fifty years! The wounds, open during his life, miraculously closed upon his death. The name Pio, meaning Pius, was taken by him in honor of Pope St. Pius V. On his death bed he repeated to words, “Jesus, Mary.” The last word spoken by Padre Pio was “Maria.” I look forward to his Canonization.

Padre Pio's Faith: For the Servant of God it was a life of faith: everything was desired and everything was done in the light of faith. He nourished himself by constantly engaging in prayer. During the day and a big part of the night, in fact, he was in conversation with God. He said: "In books we learn of God, in prayer we find Him. Prayer is the key that opens the heart of God." In faith he always came to accept the mysterious will of God. He was a religious absorbed in the supernatural realities and he infected all with his faith, radiating it to those that approached him.

Bishop Fulton J. Sheen received the coveted Catholic Radio and Television Association annual Award for his outstanding contributions to the media.

Pope Paul VI travels to Columbia.

1969
The Padres Association founded. This was organized by fifty-five Mexican-American priests. Their purpose is to aid the Church in the needs of the Hispanic people.

The Liturgical Calendar reformed. The observance of Ember Days were regarded at the option of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, (NCCB).

Pope Paul VI appoints Bishop Fulton J. Sheen to the Papal Commission for Non-Believers.

Pope Paul VI visits Uganda.

From June 16-18 a private Commission of experts were appointed by Custodian Cardinal Pellegrino to study the Holy Shroud of Turin.

The Holy Shroud of Turin is photographed for the first time in color, by G. B. Judica Cordiglia.

Bishop Fulton J. Sheen resigns his See at Rochester, New York and is appointed Titular Bishop of Newport, Wales, by Pope Paul VI.

The U.S. Bishops issue a favorable statement on the Charismatic Movement.

1970
Pope Paul VI visits the Philippines and narrowly escaped assassination in Manila.

Pope Paul VI names St. Catherine of Siena and St. Teresa of Avila, Doctors of the Church. These two Saints are two of three women among the 33 Doctors of the Church.

Pope Paul VI Canonized forty Martyrs from the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. These Saints are known as The Martyrs of Douay. Eighty of these Holy Martyrs were Canonized by Pope Leo XIII.

Pope Paul VI publishes his Papal Encyclical, Matrimonia, on Marriage.

The famous and widely talked about Roe Vs. Wade case began when a Texas Waitress, calling herself Jane Roe, challenged a Texas State law that made abortion a criminal offense. Roe, had been denied an abortion under the law and she sued the Dallas Texas County District Attorney, Henry Wade. The Court ruled that the States not interfere with a woman’s decision to have an abortion in the first trimester.

1971
As a member of the Preparatory Commission, Cardinal Karol Wojtyla, was elected a member of the Steering Committee at the Bishop’s Synod.

Pope Paul VI met with Communist leader, President Tito of Yugoslavia.

Communist power returns to Hungary.

Cardinal Jozsef Mindszenty left the U.S. legation of Budapest for the first time in fifteen years.

1972
Death of Greek Orthodox ecumenical Patriarch, Athenagoras I.

Pope Paul VI, in a Papal Encyclical, barred women from formal investiture in the Minor roles of Lector and Acolyte.

Pope Paul VI, together with the Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury, Donald Coggan, issued a Common Declaration which pledged united work towards reunion, but made mention of the intercommunion for which the Archbishop had called.

A deliberate attempt was made to destroy the Holy Shroud of Turin by fire on October 1, the Feast of St. Teresa, by an unknown person who broke into the Royal Chapel of the Turin Cathedral. The Holy Shroud survived due to the asbestos in the interior of the Shrine.

1973
Bishop Albino Luciani, the future Pope John-Paul I, is elevated to the Sacred College of Cardinals. He was a staunch defender of Humae Vitae.

Max Frei, a Swiss criminologist, was asked to authenticate photographs of the Holy Shroud of Turin. He was a botanist by training. By enlarging the photographs, he was able to find pollen spores on the cloth and was permitted to take samples for examination and classification. He photographed and identified forty-nine different plants. Thirty-three of these plants were indigenous to Palestine, in the southern steppes of Turkey, and the areas of Istanbul, formerly Constantinople. His experiment proved where the Sacred Relic had been in its history.

The United States Supreme Court Ruling of Roe Vs. Wade. The ruling was a great victory for the devil in allowing abortion rights to women in their first trimester. The Supreme Court of the United States ruled that the Texas law had violated a woman’s right to privacy. This decision also ruled that an unborn fetus is not a living person, and therefore was not entitled to Constitutional protection. The Pro-Life Movement is still in mourning over this decision.

In July the Blessed Virgin Mary appeared to Sister Agnes Sasagawa at Akita, Japan. Our Lady said, "Do not fear. Pray with fervor not only because of your sins, but in reparation for those of all men. The world today wounds the Sacred Heart of our Lord by its ingratitudes and injuries. The wounds of Mary are much deeper and more sorrowful than yours. Let us pray together in the Chapel."

In the last apparition Our lady said, "The work of the devil will infiltrate even into the Church in such a way that one will see Cardinals opposing Cardinals, and Bishops against Bishops. The priests who venerate me will be scorned and opposed by their confrers. Churches and altars will be sacked. The Church will be full of those who accept compromises and the demon will press many priests and consecrated souls to leave the service of the Lord."

Blessed Elizabeth Ann Seton is Canonized a Saint.

1976
The Sacred College of Cardinals was raised to 138 members. Many included representatives of Third World Countries.