The American Catholic Almanac is a fascinating look at the
brave people, historical circumstances, and stalwart faith that shaped the
Catholic Church in the United States.
I
thoroughly enjoyed reading about this motley crew of individuals recognized for
their holiness as well as their boldness for Christ. A masterful mix of well-known figures and
lesser-known characters united to bring the faith to this country and keep it
going.
This is not a
mere jog through the litany of saints.
Though a number of individuals written about in these pages have received
this distinction from the Vatican, many of these men and women haven’t yet and
may never make it into the latest edition of Saint of the Day.
The variety
of reasons a certain person or incident is chosen for each particular day of
the year adds intrigue and diversity. Not
only birthdays, death dates, and saints’ feast days are mentioned and
recorded in this daily reader, but also many other 24-hour periods significant
to history in America. Some other
entries mark the anniversaries of when a battle was reenacted, prestigious Catholic
colleges and universities began a conference, a personal letter was penned, Prohibition
ended, a new order of religious women came into being, and the elevation of a
cathedral to the status of basilica.
It was fun
not knowing what to expect for each day, priest or laity, patriot or rogue,
commoner or coincidence. As unexpected as
much of America’s history, this tome illustrates the excitement and danger
embodied in the Catholic quest for eternal salvation.
I would
recommend this book for history buffs, well-read Catholics, as well as those
who are just getting to know the overarching attributes characteristic of the usual
suspects for sainthood.
