The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1934-04-24
BISHOP RITTER
ENTHRONED IN
SOLEMN RITES
Native Son Is Elevated to
Head of Diocese in
CoIorfuI Event.
PRIESTS PAY HOMAGE
Distinguished PreIateS of
State and Nation
Participate.

Thousands of Catholics Of In
dianapolis, the state and the nation
today witnessed the elevation of one
of Indiana's native sons as the
bishop of the Indianapolis diocese,
when the Most Rev. Joseph Elmer
Ritter was enthroned in colorful
rites at SIS. Peter and Paul Cathe-
dral
Bishop Ritter succeeds Bishop
Joseph Chartrand, who died re-
Gently.
Bishop Ritter was escorted to the
throne by the Most Rev. John L.
NcNicholas, o. P, S. T. M, arch
bishop of Cincinnati. His acencion
to the throne was preceded by the
reading of the apostolic authorize
ton from the apostolic delegate to
the United States, the Right Rev.
Amleta Giovanni Cicognanni.
Following the enthrOnization,
priests of the diocese marched to
the throne, one by one, bowed to
Archbishop McNicholas, and kneel-
ing before Bishop Ritter, kissed his
episcopal ring. This homage was
followed by Bishop Ritter's address
to the congregation.
=, Grateful for Trust
I'VE are mindful of and deeply
grateful for the trust that has been
placed in us" Bishop Ritter said.
Nevertheless, in all humility and
vet with confidence we willingly as
sumo the burdens of this high Of
fee. To it we dedicate our whole
being and whatever we are, either
by nature or by grace, that God
may use us as His instrument for
whatever good we may accomplish;
and in our efforts we will be con-
soled and strengthened by the
thought that we do not walk alone;
that we are linked with the leader
ship of the supreme pontiff, Pope
Plus the Eleventh"
Bishop Ritter paid tribute to the
period of a hundred years history
lust being closed for the diocese,
and to the bishops who had served
in that time.
During this period, six bishops
shepherded the diocese with Christ
like devotion" he said. Not as six
individuals perfecting so many
works, but as one engaged in per-
hfgf1Cfr1r fhn
tical body of Christ, the church of
{ the diocese. From a small mission
settlement. they have constructed a
well-organized diocese. The tradi-
tions of these years are genuinely
American and Catholic"
BestOws First Blessing
Concluding his address, Bishop
Ritter bestowed upon the kneeling
congregation his first blessing as
bishop of the diocese.
May it descend upon you, your
work, your parishes, your communi-
ties, your homes, as an augury of
greater things both for time and for
eternity" he concluded.
The ceremony began with pro-
cession which formed at GAS and
marched into the cathedral at 10.
Leading the procession was the
escort of honor to Bishop Ritter,
composed of Fourth Degree knights
of Columbus members, attired in
full regalia They formed an ave-
nue. Of drawn swords through which
the procession passed to the sane
tuary.
Ascending to the sanctuary were
monSignori. attired in red caSSockS
and berreta.
In the procession of priests and
church officials of the diocese we're
the Most Rev. James Hugh Ryan.
titular bishop of Modra and rector
of the Catholic university of Ameri-
ca at Washington. D. c.; the Most
Rev Joseph Albers. auxiliary bishop
of Cincinnati; the Most Rev. Joseph
SchrembS. bishop of Cleveland: the
Most Rev Michael J. Gallagher,
bishop of Detroit: the Most Rev.
Francis w Howard, bishop of Cow
ington, KY; the Most Rev. Joseph
Pinten. bishop of Grand Rapids; the
Most Rev. John A. Floersch, bishop
of Louisville; the Most Reverend
John F. Noll. bishop of Fl. Wayne;
the Right Reverend Ignatius Esser,
o. S. B. abbot of st. Meinrad. and
the Right Rev. Columbian THUS. o.
S. B.. abbot of st. Joseph Abbey,
St. Benedict, louisiana
PontificaI Mass Celebrated
At the conclusion of the enthron-
ization. a solemn pontif1cal mass
was celebrated by the Most Rev
AlphonSe John Smith. bishop of
Nashville, Tenn, formerly conse-
Grated in IS. Peter and Paul ca
thedral.
Music for the ceremonies was
sung by a liturgical choir of over
$50 male voices. directed by Elmer
Andrew Steffen. diocesan director
of music and choir master of the
cathedral.
The regular Schola Cantorum of
the cathedral was assisted by the
clergy choir Of Indianapolis; the
sixty boy choristers Of ST. Philip
Neri church. and selected male
voices from choirs of city churches.
Included in these were voices from
St. Philip Neri. Little Flower. Holy
Cross. St. Johns. st. Joan of Arc.
st. Mary's. ST. Francis De Sales and
st. Joseph's.