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Special Collections — Anti-Catholic Resources

This guide describes a variety of Anti-Catholic materials held by the American Catholic History Research Center and University Archives as well as the Rare Books library at The Catholic University of America.

Note

The following blog posts are listed alphabetically by the author's last name.

Long Live Organized Women

undefinedBy Amanda Bernard. The Archivist’s Nook, June 3, 2020.

https://www.lib.cua.edu/wordpress/newsevents/12953/

Caption: Three early board members of the NCCW. Clockwise from left: Mrs. Teresa M. Molamphy, Province of Philadelphia; Mrs. W. J. O’Toole, Province of St. Paul; and Mrs. F. E. Mackentepe, Province of Cincinnati.

A Brief Meditation on Presidents, Popes, and Power on the Eve of Pope Francis’ Visit

undefinedBy Maria Mazzenga. The Archivist’s Nook, September 16, 2015.

https://www.lib.cua.edu/wordpress/newsevents/6558/

Caption: This popular 1871 Thomas Nast cartoon reflects the anti-Catholicism present in the U.S. at the time.

YOU Should Read the Catholic Press – Why?

undefinedBy Maria Mazzenga. The Archivist’s Nook, April 19, 2018.

https://www.lib.cua.edu/wordpress/newsevents/10361/

Caption: Cover of a booklet issued by the newly established Press Department of the Bishops’ Conference issued in the 1930s. The booklet explains the function and reach of the Department to readers.

World War I on Display

undefinedBy Katherine Santa Ana. The Archivist’s Nook, April 27, 2017.

https://www.lib.cua.edu/wordpress/newsevents/9190/

Caption: Two soldiers crossing a pontoon bridge. From the Robert Lincoln O’Connell Papers ( and digital collection). 

Anti-Catholic History Resources in Special Collections

By William J. Shepherd. The Archivist’s Nook, August 18, 2020.

https://www.lib.cua.edu/wordpress/newsevents/13108/

Caption: Anti-Catholic political cartoon of the 1928 U.S. Presidential Election. Anti-Catholic Literature Collection, Special Collections, The Catholic University of America.

Civil War Catholics – Patriotism on Trial

undefinedBy William J. Shepherd. The Archivist’s Nook, July 3, 2018.

https://www.lib.cua.edu/wordpress/newsevents/10545/

Caption: Undated chromolithograph of Brigadier-General Thomas Francis Meagher (1823-1867), commander of the Irish Brigade.

For God and Country — American Catholics in the World War

undefinedBy William John Shepherd. The Archivist's Nook, November 11, 2015.

https://www.lib.cua.edu/wordpress/newsevents/6941/

Caption: Poster Celebrating Women War Workers, 1918. From the National Catholic War Council Records.

George Washington Sleeps Here – Special Collections of Catholic University

undefinedBy William J. Shepherd. The Archivist’s Nook, February 17, 2020.

https://www.lib.cua.edu/wordpress/newsevents/12393/

Caption: An alleged piece of the elm tree in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where, according to local legend, Washington assumed command of the Continental Army on July 3, 1775, during the Siege of Boston against the British. Sadly, the tree was chopped down in 1923. However, a thousand pieces were salvaged as relics and distributed to interested parties. Father John J. Ryan gifted this piece to Catholic University in 1924.

Heroes for More than One Day

undefinedBy William J. Shepherd. The Archivist’s Nook, November 9, 2017.

https://www.lib.cua.edu/wordpress/newsevents/9628/

Patrick Henry Callahan - Crusading Catholic Businessman

undefinedBy William J. Shepherd. The Archivist’s Nook, April 29, 2019.

https://www.lib.cua.edu/wordpress/newsevents/11464/

Caption: Patrick Henry Callahan (1866-1940), "The Colonel." A standard portrait often used in print, ca. 1930s. Courtesy of the Louisville Courier-Journal.

The First Catholic Action Hero

undefinedBy William J. Shepherd. The Archivist’s Nook, June 2, 2016.

https://www.lib.cua.edu/wordpress/newsevents/7959/

Caption: Fr. John Burke, the young, vigorous, visionary priest ready to face the challenges of the twentieth century, ca. 1899. Courtesy of the Paulist Archives.