American Catholic History

St. John Neumann was the first male American saint. Tom and Noëlle Crowe tells us how this diminutive priest took a leap of faith by coming to the US from Europe to be a priest for His people. He eventually became bishop of Philadelphia, and along the way gained a reputation for holiness in bringing Christ through word and deed. The post St. John Neumann appeared first on StarQuest Media .

The first women's religious community in the US was the Carmel of Port Tobacco, Maryland, and Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us about the Catholic families behind the founding, how they overcame anti-Catholic discrimination, and the restoration that preserved the sacred place. The post The Carmelites of Port Tobacco appeared first on StarQuest Media .

Frank Capra is beloved for his Christmas classic "It's A Wonderful Life," and in this revisitation of the famed director, Tom and Noëlle Crowe remind us that his distinctly Catholic vision of God, truth, and humanity gave his films the ability to counteract the meanness of the world. The post Revisiting Frank Capra appeared first on StarQuest Media .

Bernard Nathanson was one of the fathers of legalized abortion in the US and was himself responsible for thousands of deaths. But as Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us, he had a profound Catholic conversion late in life that could be compared to St. Paul's Damascus moment. The post Bernard Nathanson appeared first on StarQuest Media .

As we observe the 80th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Tom and Noëlle Crowe remind us of the story of Fr. Aloysius Schmitt, an Iowa farm boy turned Catholic Navy Chaplain, who sacrificed his own life helping sailors aboard the doomed USS Oklahoma escape its destruction. The post Fr. Aloysius Schmitt and the Attack on Pearl Harbor appeared first on StarQuest Media .

Bishop Vincent Waters of Raleigh, NC, committed himself against racism in his diocese in the 1950s and 60s. Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell how his commitment began, the strong and firm steps he took, the missteps he made, and the success that resulted. The post The Integration of Catholic North Carolina appeared first on StarQuest Media .

Lawrence Welk was a North Dakota farm boy-turned-musician who built TV juggernaut that lasted for 31 years. Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us how Welk built a career offering wholesome entertainment that fit with his devout Catholic faith and the virtues he valued. The post Lawrence Welk appeared first on StarQuest Media .

Fr. Augustus Tolton was the first black-identifying priest in the US, and Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us his story, from his rise from slavery to school to seminary in Rome to his return to the US, where he eventually became the pastor for all black Catholics throughout Chicago. The post Fr. Augustus Tolton appeared first on StarQuest Media .

The most highly decorated US military chaplain is Fr. Francis Duffy, a New York priest whose statue now stands in Times Square. Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us about Fr. Duffy's impressive intellect and his love for the men of the 69th Regiment he served in World War I. The post Fr. Francis Duffy appeared first on StarQuest Media .

Mother Cabrini was a tiny, Italian powerhouse who overcame prejudice and poverty to serve Christ's Church. Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell her story, from her ill health to her mission from the Pope to America to winning over a reluctant archbishop to founding charities throughout the US to her canonization. The post St. Frances Xavier Cabrini appeared first on StarQuest Media .

In the late 18th century, a Catholic stranger appeared at the West Virginia home of Adam Livingston and died during his stay. Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us of the strange, demonic events that followed, the exorcism that stopped them, and the surprising supernatural phenomena that then occurred. The post Wizard Clip appeared first on StarQuest Media .

In New Mexico, there is a shrine that some call the Lourdes of America. Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us the history of Chimayó, its miraculous cross, its miraculous healing dirt, and the hundreds of thousands of pilgrims who visit the sacred place every year. The post El Santuario de Chimayo appeared first on StarQuest Media .

Dom Virgil Michel was a man ahead of his time in the early 20th century. Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us how this visionary Benedictine played a huge role in liturgical development, catechesis, and social justice in the US, by showing how all three were intimately connected. The post Dom Virgil Michel, OSB appeared first on StarQuest Media .

St. Kateri is known as the Lily of the Mohawks and is the first Native American woman to be canonized. Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us the story of the courageous young woman who risked alienation and sacrificed much to embrace discipleship of Jesus Christ. The post St. Kateri Tekakwitha appeared first on StarQuest Media .

Orestes Brownson was one of the most important American intellects in the 19th century and his writings were imbued with his Catholic thinking. Tom and Noëlle Crowe delve into Brownson's writings on two topics: the significance of America and slavery. The post Orestes Brownson’s American Thinking appeared first on StarQuest Media .

Orestes Brownson was one of the most important intellectuals of the 19th century and a restless religious seeker. In this episode, Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us of his lifelong journey that ended in the Catholic Church, and next time will share some of his most famous ideas. The post Orestes Brownson, His Biography and Conversion appeared first on StarQuest Media .

Simple German farmers fleeing European wars in the 19th century brought their Catholic faith with them to western Ohio. Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us how Fr. Francis de Sales Brunner and his order provided those small communities with more than 30 beautiful, soaring cross-tipped churches. The post The Land of the Cross-Tipped Churches appeared first on StarQuest Media .

Vince Lombardi once said, "The measure of who we are is what we do with what we have." Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell the story of the legendary NFL football coach, who may not have been a saint, but strove to live his Catholic faith in everything he did, and gave his all, no matter what. The post Vince Lombardi appeared first on StarQuest Media .

Betty Hutton was a Hollywood star in the 1940s, the pinup girl with big energy and a big voice, but tragedy and addiction brought her low. That's when, as Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us, an encounter with a Rhode Island priest introduced Betty to Catholicism and Jesus Christ. The post Betty Hutton appeared first on StarQuest Media .

Baltimore's Basilica of the Assumption is America's first cathedral. Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us how Bishop James Carroll's vision for the church was to be a sign of the Catholic Church's universality and the presence and prominence of Catholics in America. The post The Basilica of the Assumption appeared first on StarQuest Media .

Fr. James Coyle's 1921 murder at the hands of an anti-Catholic father enraged at his daughter's conversion presaged the decline of anti-Catholic sentiment in Birmingham, Alabama. Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us about the martyrdom of this brave and faithful priest. The post Fr. James Coyle appeared first on StarQuest Media .

Charlene Richard is known as "the little Cajun Saint," and Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us about this little girl who died at 12 years old, offering her suffering for others, and who has been known ever since for the miracles attributed to her intercession. The post Charlene Richard appeared first on StarQuest Media .

Shrines dedicated to St. Anne, the mother of the Virgin Mary, are among the oldest in the United States. Tom and Noëlle Crowe tells us about six of them, the oldest of which, Ste. Anne de Detroit, is over 320 years old. The post Shrines of St. Anne appeared first on StarQuest Media .

Servant of God Mary Virginia Merrick never let her own disabilities prevent her from being Christ to those around her. Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us the story of this wealthy 19th-century woman who founded the Christ Child Society, to serve the poor and needy children of Washington, DC and eventually well beyond. The post Mary Virginia Merrick appeared first on StarQuest Media .

The Duke, John Wayne, only converted to Catholicism on his death bed, but Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us how this great actor recognized his own human flaws, extolled faith and virtue, and encouraged his children and grandchildren in their own Catholic faith. The post John Wayne appeared first on StarQuest Media .