From the Archives

With the United States entering the Second World War after the bombing of Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, the Christmas of 1941 took on a melancholy tone as the fear of the unknown became more pronounced.

The Church in Oklahoma’s response was intriguing, as the magnitude of the coming carnage was not yet apparent. The sons and daughters of Catholic families would be knee-deep in the fight to save the world from incomprehensible evil.  

“The Southwest Courier,” the official publication of the Diocese of Oklahoma City and Tulsa, from Dec. 20, 1941, gives insight into the cultural shift from peace to wartime. While such innocuous articles as “Simple Decorations Provide Originality to Christmas Table” were contained in the issue, Bishop Kelley’s Christmas address was profound in gauging the nature of what was to come: “Christmas is a time of giving.

But our prayers, our Communions, are worth more than all the gold, myrrh, and frankincense of ancient treasures. Let us all be increasingly generous in our full-hearted devotion to Christ the King. And let us not forget in our prayers a petition that peace be restored throughout the world.” Of course, he could not foresee that America’s involvement would continue for almost another four years.

Parishes responded in patriotic fashion by hosting war bond drives, and intense prayer became the norm. The author of a history of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help written in 1969 recalls: “The years of the war were filled with sorrow, pain and sacrifice for our beloved country’s welfare and we had our share.” The parish’s first gold star was Lt. Donald Bried, USN, who was killed in a plane crash. During the war years, the Cathedral began a tradition of adoration of the Blessed Sacrament ending with evening prayer and benediction for the well-being of the parishioners serving in the military and their families, every Tuesday, a practice that continued into the 1990s.

As the war continued, the Christmas issues of “The Southwest Courier” would contain an increasing amount of content related to the hardships and trials the faithful encountered. A statement from the Oklahoma state deputy of the Knights of Columbus reveals the attitude of most Oklahoma Catholics: “Christmas 1943, finds many of our Oklahoma boys thousands of miles from home. Among them are hundreds of Knights of Columbus, brave young fighters answering the call of patriotism, for the Knights have always been in the vanguard of free men fighting for a free world.” Despite tribulations, the publication always attempted to maintain the true joy of the season. 

With the war’s end in 1945, the Christmas issue was a bit more introspective, as shown in this article by Marguerite Gilbert: “For the first time in years, the world awaits in peace and silence the coming of Him who hung a star in old Judean skies. Toward this shining hour, we have traveled through the terrors of war, brutality, starvation, and betrayal. Humbly now we await his coming, for only those spirits have learned to bow very low may enter the little door of Bethlehem’s cave…O little Prince of Peace, pity our poor human efforts-strike our earthbound souls with some small ray of this night’s stary brilliance, that naught may never dim our vision, nor tarnish our courage, nor lessen our humility-that we may walk forever in the light of this night’s blessing.” 

The sentiments of December 1945 still resonate with the world of 2022, as peace seems to be perpetually elusive; but hope remains in the Prince of Peace and his compassionate embrace for all who truly seek him.

Photo: The Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, circa 1942 at Christmas