A look at some landmark milestones in American Catholic history, from the early Church in the colonies to milestones in leadership, education, religious life, sacraments, and public life.
Catholic History
Catholicism in America: 1776-2026
A lot has happened over those 250 years to get to this point. Here is a look at Catholicism in the United States.
Sacred Sites, American Stories: From Santa Fe to Baltimore, These Historic Sites Helped Plant and Preserve the Faith in America
All told, there has been a Catholic presence in the United States for more than 400 years. Here, The Tablet looks at some of the historical sites that established the earliest Catholic roots in the U.S.
How One Catholic’s Well-Placed Shot Changed the Tide of the Revolution
Discover the remarkable story of Sgt. Timothy Murphy, an Irish frontiersman believed by many to have been Catholic, whose legendary marksmanship at the Battle of Saratoga may have helped change the course of the American Revolution and secure a crucial French alliance.
The History of Catholic’s Pursuit of Religious Liberty in the US
As this story looks at the history of religious freedom for Catholics in the U.S., it’s important to note that the anti-Catholic views of the earliest settlers informed the anti-Catholic undercurrents that have existed throughout the nation’s history.
NY Encounter Exhibit Showcases Spiritual Journey of Couple Who Defied Nazism
An exhibit at the New York Encounter highlights the faith-filled journey of Blessed Franz Jägerstätter and his wife, Franziska, whose courageous stand against Nazism continues to inspire Catholics today.
Defending Faith: Brooklyn’s Fight Against Nativist Violence in 1854
In 1854, anti-Catholic mobs in Williamsburg threatened to burn down Ss. Peter and Paul Parish. Father Sylvester Malone, his parishioners, and Mayor William Wall defended Brooklyn’s Catholic community against nativist violence.
How a Norbertine Religious Sister’s Visions Led to the Feast of Corpus Christi
In the early 13th century, the church faithful were abstaining from receiving holy Communion. It wasn’t that they were not devoted to the Eucharist, but they believed they were unworthy to consume the body of Christ — a belief that was not discouraged by many of the clergy.
Beyond the Candy: The Spiritual Roots of All Hallows Eve
This holiday’s roots stretch back to the 4th century when Christians sought to solemnly venerate Roman martyrs some 300 years after the resurrection of Christ. In that period, persecution against Christians
came in “waves,” said Father Michael Bruno, dean of seminarians and professor of church history at St. Joseph Seminary and College at Dunwoodie, Yonkers.
Fordham’s Bronx Artifacts Collection Builds on Jewish, Catholic Partnership
A trove of artifacts of local Jewish life — bar mitzvah invitations, high school yearbooks, marriage certificates, receipts from kosher caterers among them — is growing here in an unlikely place: a library in a Catholic university.