Ep 3.42: A New Era Begins: Cardinal Glennon, Cardinal Ritter, and a Changing St. Louis

In this episode, we witness a profound turning point in the life of the Archdiocese of St. Louis. Monsignor Glennon—after more than four decades of leadership—is finally elevated to the College of Cardinals, only to pass away in Rome just days after receiving the red hat. His death marks the end of an era and opens the door to a surprising new chapter under Archbishop Joseph Elmer Ritter, a quiet, capable, and deeply principled churchman from Indianapolis. As Ritter arrives, St. Louis is already shifting beneath his feet: parishes closing in the city, new ones rising in the county, and demographic forces reshaping Catholic life. This episode sets the stage for the dramatic suburban expansion, racial integration battles, and pastoral challenges that will define the next decades of St. Louis Catholic history.