Archdiocese of Indianapolis
175th Anniversary Jubilee

        On Sunday, May 3, 2009, the Archdiocese of Indianapolis held a landmark celebration of 175 years of organized Catholicism in Indiana. An estimated 30,000 of the faithful (perhaps 1 of every 10 Catholics in the area), along with an impressive array of Catholic hierarchy from around the US, Archdiocesan priests, and ecumenical guests gathered for the jubilee mass including confirmation of many candidates from throughout the Archdiocese. The setting was Lucas Oil Stadium, usually the venue for great athletic spectacles. Instead of stained glass immense window walls and electronic images transformed this international sports venue for a few hours into a house of worship. The scope and beauty of the pageantry were on a level which seemed comparable with images of ecclesiastical celebrations in the Vatican and great cathedrals of the world.
        Along with remarks from Archbishop Buechlein, principal celebrant, the archdiocese was honored by the presence of Francis Cardinal George, Archbishop of Chicago, 16 bishops and archbishops, and two participating abbots. Among the musical groups who ministered were Holy Angels, The Archdiocesan High School Jubilee Choir, St. Monica Spanish Choir, African Catholic Ministry Drummers, and an Archdiocesan Mass Choir. Father Kenneth Taylor our pastor was among the many priests from the archdiocese who took part. Additional information and photos were available at the time of publication of this photo essay at http://www.archindy.org.

(Photo notes and credits: Close ups of African Drum group, processional, speakers and altar are photographs or cropped portions of photographs of the closed circuit video screens at Lucas Oil Stadium. Photos of Holy Angels choir singing are courtesy of The Criterion and used by permission.)