Already published to widespread critical acclaim, this book tells in a fresh way the story of Catholicism in the U.S. from colonial times to the present—but from the perspective of the faithful themselves. James M. O’Toole (professor of history at Boston College) in his introduction to The Faithful, explains his approach: “The story of Catholicism in America must always be the story of these people, the men and women in the pews.” Divided into six broad “ages” in the churchs life, his study describes the changing characteristics, issues of identity and challenges faced by the laity throughout time. Central here is Catholics relationship with church authority, particularly the pope, their participation and influence in the public arena, and how their faith was nourished through liturgy, sacraments and prayer—an aspect given much greater attention here than in previous histories.
OTooles history breaks into six periods: “The Priestless Church,” “The Church of the Democratic Republic,” “The Immigrant Church,” “The Church of Catholic Action,” “The Church of Vatican II” and “The Church in the Twenty-first Century.” The writing is engaging throughout, the content detailed and substantive. In a forthcoming review of the book for America, Elizabeth A. Johnson, C.S.J., promises this book will find its way into her classroom. “But it is the Catholic faithful,” she concludes, “who stand to gain the most insight from reading this book.” Indeed, the book will not only inspire them but educate them as well.
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This article appears in July 21 2008.
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