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Communion of Immigrants: A History of Catholics in America
Catholicism has grown from a suppressed and persecuted outsiders' religion in the American colonies to become the nation's single largest denomination. James Fisher surveys more than four centuries of Catholics' involvement in American history, starting his narrative with one of the first
Spanish expeditions to Florida, in 1528. He follows the transformation of Catholicism into one of America's most culturally and ethnically diverse religions, including the English Catholics' early settlement in Maryland, the Spanish missions to the Native Americans, the Irish and German poor who
came in search of work and farmland, the proliferation of Polish and Italian communities, and the growing influx of Catholics from Latin America. The book discusses Catholic involvement in politics and conflict, from New York's Tammany Hall to the Vietnam War and abortion. Fisher highlights the
critical role of women in American Catholicism--from St. Elizabeth Seton and Dorothy Day to Mother Cabrini, the first American citizen to be canonized a saint--and describes the influence of prominent American Catholics such as Cardinal John J. O'Connor, 1930s radio personality Father Charles
Coughlin, President John F. Kennedy, pacifists Daniel and Philip Berrigan, activist Cesar Chavez, and author Flannery O'Connor.
Spanish expeditions to Florida, in 1528. He follows the transformation of Catholicism into one of America's most culturally and ethnically diverse religions, including the English Catholics' early settlement in Maryland, the Spanish missions to the Native Americans, the Irish and German poor who
came in search of work and farmland, the proliferation of Polish and Italian communities, and the growing influx of Catholics from Latin America. The book discusses Catholic involvement in politics and conflict, from New York's Tammany Hall to the Vietnam War and abortion. Fisher highlights the
critical role of women in American Catholicism--from St. Elizabeth Seton and Dorothy Day to Mother Cabrini, the first American citizen to be canonized a saint--and describes the influence of prominent American Catholics such as Cardinal John J. O'Connor, 1930s radio personality Father Charles
Coughlin, President John F. Kennedy, pacifists Daniel and Philip Berrigan, activist Cesar Chavez, and author Flannery O'Connor.
179 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
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September 9, 2020good, I liked the beginning more than the end and I didn't love some of the generalizations he made. Also, the tradcath movement deserves more than half a paragraph at the very end! I'd say the movement, though it has many flaws including not supporting popes after Paul VI, is much bigger and stronger than he says. Maybe in the past 20 years since it was published it has grown. Hmph. Also, lol that the Kennedy election was the most decisive in history--just you wait, sir!
February 1, 2024
I had to read this book for a class I am taking - but this book is good! It gives an easy-to-digest history of the Catholic Church in the US from the missions before the country was formed through to the modern day. It explains why American Catholics do some of the things they do and shows many facets of Catholic life in America. I highly suggest this book for every America Catholic.
July 3, 2020
An excellent primer on the general history of Catholics in America. I learned a ton and this will give me branching off points for further study.
November 2, 2016
Clocking in at 170 pages, this is a good, quick, overview of the history of Catholics in America. The author relates this history mainly by focusing on important Catholic persons who shaped Catholicism in this country, before and after it was a country, and telling their stories. Sidebars cover a variety of topics but usually can be skipped without fear of missing anything.
Decently balanced, the author does tend to focus a bit more on the progressive aspects of American Catholicism, particularly once it is well established later in the 19th century. The immigrant theme of the book, from the title, is an indicator that social justice is an important focus of this work.
If you have started here, move on to other more comprehensive titles. If you have not read this book yet, but have an interest in American Catholic history, no harm reading this but don't stop here.
Decently balanced, the author does tend to focus a bit more on the progressive aspects of American Catholicism, particularly once it is well established later in the 19th century. The immigrant theme of the book, from the title, is an indicator that social justice is an important focus of this work.
If you have started here, move on to other more comprehensive titles. If you have not read this book yet, but have an interest in American Catholic history, no harm reading this but don't stop here.
November 22, 2008
How Catholicism has grown from an suppressed and outsider's religion here in America to become the nation's single largest denomination. (from back of book)
I have just started this book (want to read so many during this short break between classes since I have 10 books for my classes to read).
It has been a good start and very easy to read as well as interesting.
I have just started this book (want to read so many during this short break between classes since I have 10 books for my classes to read).
It has been a good start and very easy to read as well as interesting.
September 22, 2008
Fascinating history of the first Catholics in america and their struggles of living in a Protestant culture.
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March 17, 2016Short, very accessible, and interesting. Fisher writes a left-leaning Catholic and offers a nice concise history of Catholicism in America.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews