On this day in 1962 Pope John XXIII presided over the funeral of Aloisius Joseph Cardinal Muench at St. Peter’s Basilica, in Rome. Afterwards, the body of the former Bishop of Fargo was flown to Chicago, en route to services in Milwaukee. The bronze casket was then taken by train through a snowstorm to final services at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Fargo.

The Forum reported “Cardinal Muench…had a deep feeling for…what he called his ‘beloved diocese of Fargo’ (which included the eastern half of North Dakota)…It was his wish to be buried in Holy Cross Cemetery.”

Cardinal Muench died three days before his 73rd birthday, after suffering from Parkinson’s disease. He was serving in the Vatican Curia, the central executive agency of the Roman Catholic Church.

Sources:
“Cardinal Muench Rites Set Here Next Friday” The Fargo Forum 16 Feb 1962, p.1.
“Pope Presides at Rite in Rome for Cardinal” The Fargo Forum 19 Feb 1962, p.1.
“Cardinal’s Love for N.D. Cited at Last Rites in Cathedral Here” The Fargo Forum 23 Feb 1962, p.1.

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