Page 6 - Faith Connections Issue 2 (4)

ISSUE 2 JULY 2021

In the second half of the 19th century, the Catholic Now, in the 21st century, the time is ripe for you all
Church in the United States sought to end its internal to play your part in the history of the Catholic Church
divisions and respond to the challenges of the broader in America. As St. Thomas Christians practicing your
world. In America, the church took steps to evangelize Catholic faith in America, you have a very unique
the freed slaves. place in the world. You are called to let the light of
your faith and your zeal for God fill the world and
During the 20th century, Catholics in the United States enliven the lives of everyone you meet.
struggled to find an identity and a place for themselves
in American society. In the early part of the century, In closing, St. Thomas offers the very challenge of
they faced continued hostility from Protestants. A law Thomas to all “Doubting Thomases” when it comes
that passed in 1924, limiting immigration from the to the truths concealed in Christianity. Catholicism is
Catholic countries of Europe, was rooted in religious fantastic! The truth of sanctity is, in many ways,
bias. Yet, during World War I the National Catholic more accessible through the unbelievable which
War Council was formed to demonstrate Catholic surpasses the bounds of truth as it is commonly
support for the American war effort, and after the war, known, for sanctity is of a higher truth.
it promoted the cause of social justice. During the
Great Depression and afterward, the efforts of Catholic Like St. Thomas, Catholics are called to look beyond
political activists and reformers such as Dorothy Day the evidence of their eyes, to believe in miracles,
received national attention. and to be optimists when pessimism is the only
reasonable conclusion. This is FAITH, and it is a
The revival of Thomism, the philosophy of St. Thomas way that is often shrouded in obscurity and ordeal.
Aquinas was also important. It contributed to the Life can be a dark pilgrimage, offering no clear path
flourishing of Catholic theology and biblical studies. towards light and life. Therefore, “We walk by faith,
Thomism came to be taught in all Catholic schools not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7) “But the men
and, by the 1920s, strengthened the intellectual signed of the cross of Christ,” sings Chesterton’s
identity of educated American Catholics. legendary Ballad, “go gaily in the dark.” Catholics
must be confident, and carry on even though they
As in World War I, the patriotism shown by American carry on blindly – seeing only dimly - and ever ready
Catholics during World War II helped to abate anti- to cry out at every sudden, joyful realization that we
Catholic prejudice. In 1960 a Roman Catholic, John F. lie in the arms of the Risen Christ.
Kennedy was elected president—an office previously
thought to be out of reach for Catholics. Increasing
numbers of Catholics held political office at the local
and national levels and the ecumenical movement
brought about better relations between the faiths. By
the early 21st century Catholics accounted for 22
percent of the American population. With 200
My Lord
dioceses, the American hierarchy is the third-largest in
the world.

The church in the United States, as in the rest of the
world, endured a period of great turmoil following
Vatican II (1962–65), one of the most important and my
councils in the church’s history. Vatican II brought
much of Catholic practice up to date (to paraphrase
Pope John XXIII), revised the liturgy, altered relations
between clergy and laity, and permitted the mass in God!"
local languages.

It also encouraged dialogue between the faiths and a
more collegial relationship between the bishops. St. Thomas
These changes, which profoundly affected the lives of
all members of the church, were welcomed by many,
though they inspired a minority to leave.

PAGE 6 FAITH IN OUR COUNTRY EDITION | ISSUE 2