Catholics and American culture

Book Description

In the span of just a few decades, American Catholics underwent a remarkable transformation from cultural outsiders to enthusiastic participants in mainstream society. This fascinating exploration reveals how a religious community once viewed with suspicion evolved into what some observers called the culture's most vocal supporters by the 1960s.

Mark Stephen Massa traces this profound shift through compelling case studies and pivotal moments that shaped Catholic identity in America. Beginning with the controversial heresy case of Leonard Feeney, the narrative follows influential figures including media personality Fulton Sheen, contemplative monk Thomas Merton, and President John F. Kennedy as they navigated the complex relationship between faith and American culture.

The author demonstrates that this movement toward cultural engagement began well before the Second Vatican Council, challenging common assumptions about when and how American Catholicism changed. Through an examination of institutions like the University of Notre Dame, readers discover how Catholic higher education transformed alongside broader cultural shifts.

This thoughtful analysis reveals both the benefits and costs of religious accommodation to dominant cultural values. For anyone seeking to understand how spiritual communities adapt to changing social landscapes, this work offers valuable insights into the delicate balance between maintaining religious identity and embracing cultural participation. The story illuminates universal questions about faith, belonging, and the ongoing tension between tradition and adaptation in American religious life.