HOSANNA, APOSTOLIC PREFECTURE of. - On 25 March 1937, when the new general organization of the missions of Ethiopia was approved, Pope Pio XI, granting the wish of the Minister General of the Capuchins, decreed that the Capuchin fathers should continue to retain the mission stations of Endeber, Uasserà, and Dobbo. These stations belonged to the apostolic vicariate of Gimma. Thus, on 13 February 1940, the apostolic prefectures of Endeber and H. were erected and entrusted to the Order of Capuchins.
The apostolic prefecture of H. has an area of more than 7,000 sq. km.; at the time of its erection (1940), it had a population of 550,000 inhabitants, including approximately 5,000 Catholics, 10,000 catechumens, 14 Capuchin missionary priests with 6 lay brothers, 8 principal stations, 7 secondary ones, and 3 schools with 120 pupils. The prefecture gave promise of impressive development; but shortly thereafter the war slowed and then completely interrupted the regular course of evangelizing activity, with the repatriation of the Italian missionaries.