Elevation of Cardinal Dougherty

While presiding over Canon Law examinations at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary on February 11, 1921, Archbishop Dougherty received word that Pope Benedict XV had elevated him to the rank of Cardinal. This would make Dougherty the first Cardinal for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, the fifth American resident Cardinal, and the

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Sesquicentennial International Exposition

  In the summer of 1926, Philadelphia set out to remind the nation where it all began. To mark the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the city hosted the Sesquicentennial International Exposition, a massive world’s fair intended to celebrate American progress, industry, and culture. For

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Benedict Club: A Home Away From Home

The Benedict Club was a refuge for servicemen in Philadelphia during both World Wars. Located at 157 North 15th Street, the club was named after Pope Benedict XV, who was pope during World War I.[1] By 1919, it was considered the largest such organization of its kind, serving over 3,000

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Cardinal Dougherty and His Golden Jubilee

Over 160,000 people packed the Municipal Stadium (Later JFK Stadium) in South Philadelphia on June 2, 1940 to witness Cardinal Dougherty’s Golden Jubilee Mass.[1] The event was the largest gathering of Catholics in the city since 300,000 attended the 1926 Solemn Pontifical Mass for the Sesquicentennial of the Declaration of

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