Cardinal George Mundelein (1872-1939)
Cardinal George Mundelein transformed the Chicago Archdiocese in the early 1900s, uniting its ethnic tribes, championing for the poor and taking on Adolf Hitler.
Cardinal Mundelein in Chicago. Undated photo. — Chicago Tribune historical photo
Archbishop George Mundelein leaves Chicago on March 6, 1924, on the Baltimore and Ohio train headed to New York where he will sail for Rome to become a Cardinal in 1924. Mundelein, who was originally from New York, moved to Chicago in 1916 when he was formally installed as Archbishop of Chicago. — Chicago Tribune historical photo
Chicago Mayor Dever welcomed Cardinal Mundelein upon his arrival home to Chicago at Garfield Blvd. and the Baltimore and Ohio train tracks on May 11, 1924. Mundelein was returning from Rome where he was appointed Cardinal by Pope Pius XI.
— Chicago Tribune historical photoAccording to the Tribune, more than 1,000,000 people crowded the streets in front of Holy Name Cathedral at State and Superior Streets to greet Cardinal Mundelein on May 11, 1924, who was back from Rome after becoming a Cardinal. — Chicago Tribune historical photo
Cardinal Mundelein raises his right hand to bestow his blessings upon the crowd on May 11, 1924, during a parade in his honor following his return home from Rome after becoming a Cardinal. The Tribune reported, "At times the greeting he (Cardinal Mundelein) received so moved him that he arose from his seat to pass out his blessings and there would be thunderous cheering." — Chicago Tribune historical photo
Cardinal Mundelein raises his right hand to bestow his blessings upon the crowd on May 11, 1924, during a parade in his honor following his return home from Rome after being appointed Cardinal. According to the Tribune, "people lined the course of the Cardinal from his train to his church solidly for fifteen miles." — Chicago Tribune historical photo
According to the Tribune, more than 1,000,000 people crowded the streets in front of Holy Name Cathedral at State and Superior Streets to greet Cardinal Mundelein on May 11, 1924, who was back from Rome after being appointed Cardinal. According to the Tribune, Mundelein "said frankly that he had never before beheld such a crowd. 'Chicago always has a surprise awaiting one. That's why I love this city so and am so glad to be its first Cardinal.'" — Chicago Tribune historical photo
Cardinal George Mundelein, left, with his life-long friend Archbishop Paolo Giobbe, the Papal Nuncio to Colombia, in July of 1925. Giobbe visited with Cardinal Mundelein for several days, visiting St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, Ill., and the archiepiscopal residence at 155 N. State Street in Chicago. — Chicago Tribune historical photo
Cardinal Mundelein, from left, Father William R. Griffin, and Msgr. C. J. Quille look over Soldier Field in preparation for the upcoming 28th International Eucharistic Congress, circa Dec. 24, 1925. The congress was held in Chicago from June 20-24 in 1926 and was hosted by Cardinal Mundelein. The large, open-air mass was held at Soldier Field. — Chicago Tribune historical photo
Cardinal Mundelein, second from left, greets Cardinal Piffle of Vienna, for the 28th International Eucharistic Congress in Chicago in 1926. — Chicago Tribune historical photo
Msgr. C. J. Quille, general secretary of the congress, front row from left, Cardinal Bonzano, Cardinal Mundelein, and Bishop Edward F. Hoban, honorary president of the congress, circa 1926. The group gathered in Chicago for the 28th International Eucharistic Congress held at Soldier Field in June of 1926. — Chicago Tribune historical photo
Cardinal Mundelein walks on the field during the 28th International Eucharistic Congress, which Mundelein hosted, held at Soldier Field in June of 1926. — Chicago Tribune historical photo
Papal Legate Cardinal Bonzano, center left, with Cardinal Mundelein, center right, in 1926. Bonzano was in the country for the 28th International Eucharistic Congress held in Chicago in June of 1926. — Chicago Tribune historical photo
Cardinal Mundelein dedicates St. Gregory Church at 5545 N. Paulina St. on Nov. 28, 1926, just months after he hosted the 28th International Eucharistic Congress at Soldier Field. The church was completed in June, but had to wait for its dedication due to the congress. Mundelein called the church "A Medieval jewel in a modern setting" at the time of the dedication. He is seen here walking on Gregory Street. — Chicago Tribune historical photo
Cardinal Mundelein, shown here outside Rosary Hall, conferred degrees on thirty graduates at Rosary College in River Forest on June 9, 1927. Rosary College is now known as Dominican University. — Chicago Tribune historical photo
Cardinal Mundelein, left, in a red robe and wearing miter, at the ceremony to elevate Msgr. Bernard J. Sheil, right, to the position of bishop of the Roman Catholic Church on May 1, 1928. The Right Rev. Bernard J. Sheil is wearing the white vestments embroidered in gold, with the miter, and bearing for the first time the bishop's staff. — Chicago Tribune historical photo
Sen. Reed Smoot of Utah, left, talks with Cardinal Mundelein on Aug. 18, 1932 in Chicago. Sen. Smoot, a Mormon, was in town to discuss welfare for youth. According to the Tribune, Sen. Smoot was impressed with Cardinal Mundelein's work with the Chicago Catholic Youth organization. — Chicago Tribune historical photo
Cardinal George Mundelein in his official portraits by Laveccha in 1933. — Leveccha
A crowd waits outside the Archbishop's Residence at North Avenue and State Parkway to welcome President Roosevelt, a guest of Cardinal Mundelein, on October 5, 1937 in Chicago. Designated by the National Register of Historic Places as a structure of significance, the residence was built in 1885 at the direction of Archbishop Patrick A. Feehan, the first Archbishop of Chicago. — Chicago Tribune historical photo
Cardinal George Mundelein, center, at church in Mundelein, Ill., circa Sept. 23, 1935. — Chicago Tribune historical photo
Cardinal Mundelein, sometime between 1935 and 1939. — Chicago Tribune historical photo
Cardinal Mundelein, right, returns home to Chicago from Rome where he participated in the election of Pope Pius XII, circa April 2, 1939. — Chicago Tribune historical photo
Cardinal Mundelein is shown seated on his thrown at the left side of the main alter at Holy Name Cathedral, circa April 8, 1939. Mundelein had just returned from his trip to Rome where he participated in the election of Pope Pius XII. Mundelein would die in his sleep six-months after his return. — Chicago Tribune historical photo
An impressive crowd gathered inside Holy Name Cathedral on Oct. 4, 1939 as children attended a special mass for Cardinal Mundelein, center at alter, who's body lay in state in the cathedral. Thousands were unable to get inside to attend the mass.
— Chicago Tribune historical photoPeople gather to pray over the body of Cardinal Mundelein inside Holy Name Cathedral in Oct. of 1939. Mundelein's body lay in state for several days before he was interred at St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, Ill. — Chicago Tribune historical photo
Cardinal Mundelein's body lies in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception, on the campus of St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Oct. of 1939. Mundelein is interred behind the main altar in the chapel. — Chicago Tribune historical photo
After the funeral mass for Cardinal Mundelein, bishops performed the rites of final absolution at Holy Name Cathedral on Oct. 6, 1939. — Chicago Tribune historical photo
Cardinal Mundelein's funeral procession traveled from Holy Name Cathedral, east on Pearson Street, and south on Michigan Avenue to Monroe Street and then east to Lake Shore Drive, where the Cardinal's body would be brought to St. Mary of the Lake Seminary for its final resting place on Oct. 6, 1939. — Chicago Tribune historical photo
Cardinal Mundelein's funeral procession traveled from Holy Name Cathedral, east on Pearson Street, and south on Michigan Avenue to Monroe Street and then east to Lake Shore Drive, where the Cardinal's body would be brought to St. Mary of the Lake Seminary for its final resting place on Oct. 6, 1939. — Chicago Tribune historical photo
Cardinal Mundelein's funeral procession, including those on foot, traveled from Holy Name Cathedral, east on Pearson Street, and south on Michigan Avenue to Monroe Street and then east to Lake Shore Drive. There, the hearse took Cardinal Mundeleins' body to St. Mary of the Lake Seminary for its final resting place on Oct. 6, 1939. — Chicago Tribune historical photo
Cardinal Mundelein's funeral procession traveled from Holy Name Cathedral, east on Pearson Street, and south on Michigan Avenue to Monroe Street and then east to Lake Shore Drive, where the Cardinal's body would be brought to St. Mary of the Lake Seminary for its final resting place on Oct. 6, 1939. — Chicago Tribune historical photo
Cardinal George Mundelein in his official portraits by Laveccha in 1933. — Laveccha