Local Catholic Church History and Genealogy Research Guide

Making Of America a digital library site being developed by the Universities of Cornell and Michigan to document American social history from the antebellum period through reconstruction
Apostolic Letter of Pope Pius IX to all Protestants and Other Non-Catholics (in "Catholic World" , Vol. 8, Issue 46 of 1869)

The Pope Page: includes biographies, Vatican history, writings, and much more
United States Catholic Historical Society, The Catholic Center, 1011 First Ave., New York, NY 10022 Ph: (516) 293-0631.
The United States Catholic Historical Society (an alternate URL)
U.S. Catholic Documentary Heritage Project
New Advent - Catholic Website which has The Catholic Encyclopedia Online
St. Anthony Messenger & American Catholic Online
The Voyage of Brendan the Navigator or Who really discovered America? Read more about Saint Brendan (Born c. 484-489; died at Annaghdown, Ireland, c. 577-583)
Resources for the Study of Discrimination Against Native Americans
The Columbus Navigation Homepage

Spanish Conquistadors in North America (De Soto from 1539) Organization of pages

Read more: Virtual Museum of New France

1688 Map of New France Definition of New France
The Explorers including:

Jacques Cartier: Navigator-Explorer
Étienne Brûlé: Interpreter and Explorer
Samuel de Champlain: Geographer & Builder of a Colony
Jean Nicollet: The Peacemaking Explorer
Jean de Quen: The Missionary Explorer
Jacques Marquette: Missionary of the Mississippi
Louis Jolliet : Professional Explorer
Cavelier de La Salle: Intrepid Explorer
Charles Albanel: Jesuit Priest, Missionary Voyageur
La Vérendrye (Explorer of the West)

USJesuit Conference:

Institutum Historicum Societatis Iesu, The Jesuit Historical Institute in Rome, lists resources including their publications. (English & Spanish)
To Fling Out Broad His Name is a collection of documents relating to the Jesuit charism in the Catholic Church with excerpts from some early Jesuit foundational documents.

C.Ss.R. - Congregatio Sanctissimi Redemptoris - "...The Order of the Most Holy Redeemer is a contemplative institute of nuns inaugurated in Scala on 13th May 1731..."
History of St. Dennis Church in Lockport, IL includes French Jesuit missionary history and early settlement from 1673 and history important to KY, MI, IL, VA, MD, LA, The Northwest Territory
The Archdiocese of Baltimore (Maryland) Pope Pius VI chose Baltimore as the location for the first Catholic Diocese in the United States, and appointed Fr. John Carroll, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland to serve as the first Catholic Bishop on November 6, 1789.³ This Diocese encompassed all of the United States until 1808 when the Dioceses of Boston, Bardstown, and Philadelphia were established. Baltimore was also the first archdiocese in the United States, with metropolitan authority over other dioceses until 1846. From 1822 until 1841 the Archbishop of Baltimore also administered the Diocese of Richmond.⁵
Ecole Initiative: Encyclopedia of Early Church History on the Web
The Jesuits and the Sciences 1540-1995
Library of Congress Collections

Hispanic and Portuguese Collection: Encounters in America with many rare early maps
Religion and the Founding of the American Republic: Bishop John England became the first Catholic priest to preach a sermon in the House of Representative in 1826...
Religion and the Founding of the American Republic Entry Home Page
Creating French Culture: Political and Cultural History of France (1498-1661)

Guy Fawkes - Treason in 1605
French-Indian Intermarriage and the Creation of Metis Society by Dr. Patrick J. Jung Marquette University
Pere Marquette and the Legacy of the French in Wisconsin
A Cajun History on the web site of A Catholic Cajun Family - Ville Platte, LA
First Ukrainian Church in Canada by John Panchuk
Catholic Worker Pacifism: An Eyewitness to History by Tom Cornell
Great Moments in Catholic History by Fr. Jacques Monet, S.J., Pres. Regis College Toronto, by Fr. Jacques Monet, S.J., Pres. Regis College Toronto.
WTS - Catholic Canada Resources - Canada by Father W. T. Sehl

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Individual Catholic Documents & Texts

There are more links on Local Catholic pages for each geographic locations.

Bible Gateway - Search the Bible in 9 Languages and Multiple Versions
The Our Father in many Languages
The Hail Mary in many Languages
Library of Congress Vatican Exhibit.
St. Augustine's "Confessions"
Hymn on the Life of St. Patrick [O'Curry MS, Catholic University].

Anonymous translation from The Ecclesiastical Record, March 1868.

Original language: Old Irish.

The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom (According to the Byzantine Rite of the Catholic Church)
Biography of St. Ambrose (born ca. 341 A.D.)
Known Works of St. Ambrose on the Catholic Faith
St. Augustine [354-430] was Bishop of the church at Hippo, North Africa - author of the following:

The City of God
The Confessions - written 397 A. D. (translated by Albert C. Outler, Ph.D., D.D.)
Augustine the African by James J. O'Donnell
Augustine on the Internet - Archives & Links

Notre Dame Archives Calendar

1632: De Perea, el Padre Fray Estevan, Guardian of the Province of New Mexico to Very Rev. Francis de Apodaca, Commissary General of all New Spain, of the order of St. Francis. An Expedition of twelve soldiers, nineteen priests and twelve lay brothers, Franciscans, set out from the City of Mexico on Sep. 4, 1628.

Writings of the Church Fathers/Doctors/Saints
Summa Theologica of St. Thomas Aquinas
CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH
Christus Rex et Redemptor Mundi: Encyclical Letters, Papal Speeches and Church Documents
Letter to Women:The Vatican text of the papal letter to women issued in preparation for the Beijing Conference. It is dated June 29 and released July 10 at the Vatican.
The Council of Trent Canons and Decrees: Editor J. Waterworth (Chicago, 1848)

Scanned by Hanover College students, 1995

The Second Vatican Ecumenical Council Dedicated to "The Immaculate". Sweet is the Providence that Overrules Us." Seton "Vatican II" -

Opened Under Pope John XXIII in 1962 - Closed by Pope Paul VI in 1965

DECREE ON THE CATHOLIC CHURCHES OF THE EASTERN RITE -

Orientalium Ecclesiarum: Promulgated by His Holiness, Pope Paul VI on November 21, 1964

Popes and their writings
Encyclicals and Other Papal Documents most from Documents of the Roman Catholic Church (http://listserv.american.edu/catholic/church/church.html)

Boniface VIII (1294-1303) Biography

Unam Sanctam (1302)

Paul III (1534-1549) Biography

On Slavery (Sublimus Dei) (1537) On slavery in the New World.

Benedict XIV (1740-1758) Biography

On Usury and Other Dishonest Profit (Vix Pervenit) (1 Nov 1745)
On Jews and Christians Living in the Same Space (A Quo Primum) (14 Jun 1751)
On the Euchologion (Ex Quo) (1 Mar 1756) To bishops and priests of the Greek Rite, containing certain admonitions concerning the ceremonies contained in the Euchologion, the book containing the rites of the Greek Churches.

Gregory XVI (1831-1846) Biography

Apostolic Letter Condemning the Slave Trade (In Supremo Apostolatus) (3 Dec 1839)

Pius IX (1846-1878) Biography + Writings

On the Immaculate Conception (Ineffabilis Deus) (8 Dec 1854)
Condeming Current Errors (Quanta Cura) (8 Dec 1864)
The Syllabus of Errors (8 Dec 1864)

Leo XIII (1878-1903) Biography + Writings

On the Evils of Society (Inscrutabili Dei Consilio) (21 Apr 1878)

On the Evils of Socialism (Apostolic Muneris) (28 Dec 1878) with particular stress on the Catholic view of the social order.

On Restoring Christian Philosophy (Aeterni Patris) (4 Aug 1879)

On Saints Cyril and Methodius (Grande Munus) (10 Feb 1880) "...they commissioned the holy men Cyril and Methodius to go to the Slavic people..."

On Mission Societies (Sancta Dei Civitas) (3 Dec 1880) "...The Holy City of God, which is the Church, not being contained within the limits of any State..."

On the Origin of Civil Power (Diuturnum) (29 Jun 1881) "...There is no question here respecting forms of government, for there is no reason why the Church should not approve of the chief power being held by one man or by more, provided only it be just...expressed by St. Augustine when he says that 'the Church teaches kings to study the welfare of their people, and people to submit to their kings, showing what is due to all: and that to all is due charity and to no one injustice.'..."

On Catholics in Belgium (Licet Multa) (3 Aug 1881)

On Conditions in Italy (Etsi Nos) (15 Feb 1882)

On St. Francis of Assisi (Auspicato Concessum) (17 Sep 1882)

On Conditions in Spain (Cum Multa) (8 Dec 1882)

On Devotion of the Rosary (Supremi Apostolatus Officio) (1 Sep 1883)

On the Religious Question in France (Nobilissima Gallorum Gens) (8 Feb 1884)

On Freemasonry (Humanum Genus) (20 Mar 1884) The definitive statement on

Freemasonry, its opposition to the Church, and the response of Catholics.

On the Rosary (Superiore Anno) (30 Aug 1884)

On the Christian Constitution of States (Immortale Dei) (1 Nov 1885)

On Christian Education (Spectata Fides) (27 Nov 1885)

Proclaiming the Extraordinary Jubilee (Quod Auctoritate) (22 Dec 1885)

On Catholicism in Germany (Iampridem) (6 Jan 1886)

On the Liberty of the Church (Quod Multum) (22 Aug 1886)

On the Church in Portugal (Pergrata) (14 Sep 1886)

On the Rosary and Public Life (Vi E Ben Noto) (20 Sep 1887)

On the Church in Bavaria (Officio Sanctissimo) (22 Dec 1887)

On the Occasion of the Sacerdotal Jubilee of Leo (Quod Anniversarius) (11 Apr 1888)

On the Abolition of Slavery (In Plurimism) (5 May 1888) On the occasion of the celebration of the Pope's fiftieth anniversary in the priesthood one congratulatory message moved in a special way: "...one which comes from Brazil, where, upon the occasion of this happy event, large numbers of those who in that vast empire groan beneath the yoke of slavery, have been legally set free..."

On the Nature of Human Liberty (Libertas) (20 Jun 1888)

On Boycotting in Ireland (Saepe Nos) (24 Jun 1888)

On Italian Immigrants (Quam Aerumnosa) (10 Dec 1888)

On the Church in Ireland (Etsi Cunctas) (21 Dec 1888)

On the Right Ordering of Christian Life (Exeunte Lam Anno) (25 Dec 1888)

On the Catholic University of America (Magni Nobis) (7 Mar 1889)

On Devotion to St. Joseph (Quamquam Pluries) (15 Aug 1889)

On Christians as Citizens (Sapientiae Christian) (10 Jan 1890) "...If, then, a political government strives after external advantages only, and the achievement of a cultured and prosperous life; if, in administering public affairs, it is wont to put God aside, and show no solicitude for the upholding of moral law, it deflects woefully from its right course and from the injunctions of nature; nor should it be accounted as a society or a community of men, but only as the deceitful imitation or appearance of a society..."

On Freemasonry in Italy (Dall'alto Dell'apostolico Seggio) (15 Oct 1890)

On Slavery in the Missions (Catholicae Ecclesiae) (20 Nov 1890) "...We

have taken every occasion to openly condemn this gloomy plague of slavery..."

On Episcopal Reunions in Austria (In Ipso) (3 Mar 1891)

On the Condition of the Working Classes (Rerum Novarum) (15 May 1891)

emphasis on social justice for workers

On the Morality of Dueling (Pastoralis Officii) (12 Sep 1891) To the Archbishops and Bishops of the German Empire and Austria-Hungary. "...It is indeed a deadly error and not restricted to your country, but has spread so far that practically no people can be found free from the contagion of the evil..."

On the Rosary (Octobri Mense) (22 Sep 1891)

On the Church and State in France (Au Millieu Des Sollicitudes) (16 Feb 1892)

On the Columbus Quadricentennial (Quarto Abeunte Saeculo) (16 Jul 1892) "...For Columbus is ours; since if a little consideration be given to the particular reason of his design in exploring the "mare tenebrosum," and also the manner in which he endeavored to execute the design, it is indubitable that the Catholic faith was the strongest motive for the inception and prosecution of the design; so that for this reason also the whole human race owes not a little to the Church..."

On the Rosary (Magnae Dei Matris) (8 Sep 1892)

On Freemasonry (Custodi Di Quella Fede) (8 Dec 1892)

On Christian Marriage (Arcanum) (10 Feb 1893) "...From the Gospel we see clearly that this doctrine was declared and openly confirmed by the divine authority of Jesus Christ. He bore witness to the Jews and to His Apostles that marriage, from its institution, should exist between two only, that is, between one man and one woman; that of two they are made, so to say, one flesh; and that the marriage bond is by the will of God so closely and strongly made fast that no man may dissolve it or render it asunder..."

On Seminaries for Native Clergy (Ad Extremas) (24 Jun 1893) "...with respect to the "patronato" of the Portuguese people in the East Indies, We have concluded a formal pact with the most faithful king of Portugal and Algerve. This agreement has removed the causes of dissensions, which had disrupted Christians for so long a time. These communities have been under obedience to apostolic vicars and

prefects. We have decided to form them into dioceses with their own bishops

to be administered by ordinary right. Therefore, by the apostolic letter, "Humanae salutis," given on the first of September, 1886, a new hierarchy has been instituted in those regions, consisting of eight church provinces, namely, Goa as the patriarchal see, Agra, Bombay, Verapoly, Calcutta, Madras, Pondichery and Colombo..."

On the Church in Hungary (Constanti Hungarorum) (2 Sep 1893)

On the Rosary (Laetitiae Sanctae) (8 Sep 1893)

On the Study of Sacred Scripture (Providentissimus Deus) (18 Nov 1893)

On the Rosary (Lucunda Semper) (8 Sep 1894)

On the Clergy in Brazil (Litteras A Vobis) (2 Jul 1894) "...Last year We received your letter joyfully announcing the addition of a new ecclesiastical province and the founding of four new bishoprics.--This new indication of apostolic solicitude in your nation was certainly cause for rejoicing...We wish to recommend some useful ideas to you for increasing faith and Christian piety..."

On the Propagation of Faith and Eastern Churches (Christi Nomen) (24 Dec 1894)

Pius X (1903-1914) Biography (born 1835 - died 1914) Writings

On the Restoration of All Things in Christ (E Supremi) (4 Oct 1903) The first encyclical of Pope Pius X.

On the Immaculate Conception (Ad Diem Illum Laetissimum) (2 Feb 1904)

On Pope Gregory the Great (Iucunda Sane) (12 Mar 1904)

On Teaching Christian Doctrine (Acerbo Nimis) (15 Apr 1905)

On Catholic Action in Italy (Il Fermo Proposito) (11 Jun 1905)

On the French Law of Separation (Vehementer Nos) (11 Feb 1906)

On the Mariavites or Mystic Priests of Poland (Tribus Circiter) (5 Apr 1906)

On the Clergy in Italy (Pieni L'Animo) (28 Jul 1906)

On French Associations of Worship (Gravissimo Officii Munere) (10 Aug 1906)

On the Separation of Church and State (Une Fois Encore) (1 Jan 1907)

On the Doctrine of the Modernists (Pascendi Dominici Gregis) (8 Sep 1907) The pope points out the connection between various Modernist groups, examines the sources of the errors, and prescribes remedies for averting the evil.

Syllabus of Errors (Lamentabili Sane) (1907)

On Saint Alselm of Aosta (Communium Rerum) (21 Apr 1909)

On Saint Charles Borromeo (Editae Saepe) (26 May 1910)

On the Law of Separation in Portugal (Iamdudum) (24 May 1911)

On the Indians of South American (Lacrimabili Statu) (7 Jun 1912)

On Labor Organizations (Singulari Quadam) (24 Sep 1912)

Benedict XV (1914-1922) Biography (born 1854; died 1952) Writings

Pius XI (1922-1939) Biography (born 1857; died 1939) Writings

Pius XII (1939-1958) Biography (born 1876; died 1958) Writings

John XXIII (1958-1963) Biography (born 1881; died 1963) Writings

Paul VI (1963-1978) Biography (born 1897; died 1978) Writings

John Paul II (1978- ) Biography (born 1920; - ) Writings

Code of Canon Law (The Laws of the Roman Catholic Church) By the Authority of John Paul II, Pope. Given at Roma, on the 25th of January, 1983 A.D.
Selected Papal Encyclicals and Pronouncements.
Ecclesia in America by John Paul II - published by the Vatican, Vatican, January 22, 1999
Ecclesia in America by John Paul II - published by the Vatican, Vatican, January 22, 1999 - submitted by Darden Brock ( darden.brock@trincomm.org ) to Petersnet.
Pope John Paul II: Pastoral Visit to North America - January 22 - 27, 1999
Vatican Statements - below are two examples.

Letter of the Holy Office to the Archbishop of Boston (1949)
Charter of the Rights of the Family (1983)

US Bishop Statements issued by US Catholic Bishops' Conference (CCCB/USCC) or by individual Bishops in the US - below are examples.

Catholicism and Fundamentalism: A Contrast - (1989)

A Pastoral Letter to Catholics in Mississippi and Alabama

On Immigration: "You Have Entertained Angels--Without Knowing It" (1993) A pastoral letter to the people of Los Angles by their Archbishop, Cardinal Mahony.

Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office)
A Hypertext Book of Hours - An introduction also answers the question: "What is the Book of Hours?"
ORB: The Online Reference Book for Medieval Studies. - "...an academic site, written and maintained by medieval scholars for the benefit of their fellow instructors and serious students..." includes the following and much more!!!

Misconceptions about the Middle Ages

The Crusades: by Jessalynn Byrd.

Was the Medieval Church Corrupt? by Frans van Liere.

The Spiritual Excercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola
MOTHER THERESA with biography, quotes, prayers, letters and much more.
The General Instruction of the Roman Missal- Fourth Edition, 27 March 1975

Return to Historical Links Menu

Resources & Archives of Catholic Document & Texts

There are more links on Local Catholic pages for each geographic locations.

Notre Dame Archives Guide.
Notre Dame Archives Diocese History - printed materials.
Notre Dame Archives Calendar.
U.S. Catholic Historical Society: Documents of Church History.
Caritas et Veritas: Catholic Apologetics and Study Resources.
Early Church Fathers Collection.
Catholic Documents by Subject.
Index of http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/
Index of http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apostolic_exhortations/
Jubilee 2000 - on the Vatican Website.

Documents of the Roman Catholic Church.
Library of Congress Vatican Exhibit.
U.S. Catholic Documentary Heritage Project.
Catholic University of America:

620 Michigan Ave. - Washington, D.C. 20064 PH: (202) 319-5000

New Advent - Catholic Website which includes:

The Catholic Encyclopedia Online
Church Documents
English translations of some of the Church Fathers, drawn from the 38-volume Schaff edition

St. Andrei Rublev Icons
Christus Rex has many links to information and history.
Catholic Museums
Christus Rex et Redemptor Mundi: Encyclical Letters, Papal Speeches and Church Documents
EWTN Document and Audio Library
Christian Classics Ethereal Library
Marquette University Online - Christianity Among the Indians of the Americas
Catholic Information Service Home Study
Catholic University of America - Washington, D.C.
The National Catholic Reporter
The Christian Catacombs "...This site is intended for people who wish to deepen their knowledge of the Christian Catacombs of Rome and of the Church history in its origins..."

The following are among the information and documents on this site - access it from the main page to select from language options of Spanish, Dutch, Portuguese, Korean, Italian, German, Polish and French:

Introduction: What are Catacombs?
Map of the Christian Catacombs.
History of the Catacombs and early Christian burials in Rome (includes information about the burials of St. Peter and St. Paul.)
Early Christian Symbols.
Letters Between the Church of Rome and the Church of Carthage.
Litanies of the Martrs and Saints of the Catacombs of St. Callixtus.

The Metropolitan Andrey Sheptytsky Institute of Eastern Christian Studies

Saint Paul University - 223 Main Street - Ottawa, Canada K1S 1C4

PH: (613) 236-1393 (ext.2332) FAX: (613) 782-3026

E-mail: sheptytsky@utpaul.uottawa.ca

"...This Institute is named after the primate of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, Andrey Sheptytsky (1865-1944), who dedicated his life to the furthering of East-West understanding and rapprochement between the Orthodox and Catholic Churches...it is one of the four academic units of Saint Paul University's Faculty of Theology..." [est. 1986 at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, relocated to Ottawa, Canada in 1990]

Logos: A Journal of Eastern Christian Studies a tri-lingual (English, French, Ukrainian) Journal Publication of The Sheptytsky Institute.

University of St. Paul - Ottawa, Canada PH: (613 ) 236-1393

Saint Paul University - 223 Main Street - Ottawa, Canada K1S 1C4

A Catholic University, "...Founded in 1848 as the College of Bytown, it became the University of Ottawa in 1866, and Saint Paul University in 1965...With the largest Christian studies library in Canada, Saint Paul University is also one of the world's major Canon Law resources..."

Saint Paul University Library - "...This site provides access to two databases: the catalogue of the Library and the Bibliography

in Religious History of Canada..." (Database access requires Telnet software - site recommends VT-420 for Windows 3.x and Windows 95/NT which may be obtained from Xlink Technology’s web site at http://www.xlink.com)

Saint Paul University Links Page has included a link to the main page of this Local Catholic Church History and Genealogy Research Guide site. Thank you Father Jack!!!

"Ekspres", a popular Ukrainian weekly based in Lviv, recently published an Interview with Patriarch Filaret conducted by one of its correspondents, Nadia Pasternak. "...Patriarch Filaret, Moscow's one-time Orthodox Metropolitan of Kyiv in the Soviet years..." (Ukrainian Orthodox leader speaks concerning Eastern Catholic Church)
Catholic Theological Union at Chicago (CTU) [est. 1968] "...is the largest Roman Catholic school of theology and ministry in the United States..."

Admissions Office: 5401 South Cornell Ave. - Chicago, Illinois 60615-5698

Chicago Theological Seminary [est. 1855] and The Hammond Library

5757 South University Avenue - Chicago, Illinois 60637 PH: (773) 752-5757

Augustine on the Internet - Archives & Links
Boy's Town USA - founded in 1917 by by Father Edward Flanagan in Omaha, Nebraska, this site includes history with The Story of Boy's Town and an interactive map of US locations.

Return to Historical Links Menu

Return to Local Catholic Church History & Genealogy Research Guide

Individual Historical Documents & Texts

Nordic Explorers - Norse Expansion into North America
Modern History Sourcebook:

The Early Modern West
Amerigo Vespucci (1452-1512): Account of His First Voyage, 1497.

Hanover History Department. - Electronic Texts and Images.

Texts and Documents: Europe - The United States - More to come.

The Council of Trent Canons and Decrees [1545-63] - Edited By J. Waterworth (Chicago, 1848) - Scanned by Hanover College students, 1995 -
1492: An Ongoing Voyage Outline of Objects and Topics
The Avalon Project at Yale Law School:

Historical Documents (not a specifically Catholic site)
American History : A Documentary Record 1492 - 1973
Treaty Between Spain and Portugal, Concluded at Alcacovas, September 4, 1479. Ratification by Spain, March 6, 1480. Ratification by Portugal, September 8,1479. (Source: Davenport, Frances Gardiner. European Treaties Bearing on the History of the United States to 1648. Washington, DC : The Carnegie Institution of Washington. 1917.)
1492 - Priviledges and Prerogatives Granted by Their Catholic Majesties to Christopher Columbus; April 30
1498 - The Letters Patents of King Henry the Seventh Granted unto Iohn Cabot and his Three Sonnes, Lewis, Sebastian and Sancius for the the Discouerie of New and Unknowen Lands.
1763 Treaty of Paris -Treaty of Peace and Friendship between his Britannick Majesty, the Most Christian King, and the King of Spain. Concluded at Paris the 10th day of February, 1763. To which the King of Portugal acceded on the same day.
Franco-American Diplomacy 1778 - 1843
Louisiana Purchase; 1803 and Associated Documents
Spanish-American Diplomacy 1795 -

The Treaty of Paris, 1763
King Philips War (1675-1677)
University of Illinois History Dept.- George Bancroft, History of the United States of America as Colonies, In Three Parts: Part I - The English People Found a Nation in America From 1492-1660. About the UI-TEXT96 Project - Other Historical Projects.

Religion and the Founding of the American Republic (Library of Congress site) contains some information, text and pictures concerning Catholics in the British colonies in America.
History Departments Around the World.

Catholic Religious Organizations

The Order of Saint Benedict - The Rule of Benedict: An Index To Texts On-line And Gateway To RB: Bibliographic Index

Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration

Order of Preachers: Dominican
Brothers and Sisters of Charity
Religious Communities and the Consecrated Life

Monasticism

Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Maryknoll Catholic Mission

Religious Orders - Men

Vocations Online Links to Men's Religious Communities.
Order of Cistercians of Strict Observance (Trappist)

Map of the Development in the United States.
Historical Background.

Jésuites de la province de France
Jesuit Parishes: World wide - The Society of Jesus.

Jesuit Provinces Worldwide
Provincial Offices of Jesuits in the U.S.A.
Jesuit Resources on the Web
The Jesuits in History and The History of the Jesuits
Jesuit History.

Institutum Historicum Societatis Iesu - The Jesuit Historical Institute in Rome.
The Pilgrims Page: Ignatian Spirituality and Jesuit Resources.
Catholic Religious Orders on the Internet
Augustinian Home Page.

Prior General, Order of Saint Augustine

Curia Generalizia Agostiniano - Via Paolo VI, 25 - 00193 Roma Italy

Elenchus Ordinis: (Provinciae et Domus) - Houses of the Order.

Augustinian Centers of Research - The Augustinians "...maintain several centers of study, providing resources and furthering the study of theology, of St. Augustine and of the history of the Order of St. Augustine. These centers house resources, welcome scholars, and encourage study..."

The Augustinians - Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova.

Augustinian History - An introduction to the Augustinians and their work in the eastern United States: "...The Augustinians came from Ireland to the United States in 1796 and established parishes along the Eastern seacoast, beginning with Saint Augustine Parish, Philadelphia..."

De La Salle Institute Christian Brothers (FSC) National Page - Districts of the U.S. and Toronto Region with Map
Franciscan Friars Minor Curia - Rome
Franciscan Friary Web Page (Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei)
Josephite Fathers and Brothers serving many African American Roman Catholic Communities.

Congregation of Holy Cross - (at Notre Dame in Indiana) -

Holy Cross Mission & Tradition

The History of the Congregation of Holy Cross.

Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers
Salesian websites worldwide
Salesians of Don Bosco - U.S.A. eastern province, U.S.A. western province
Les Salésiens de Don Bosco

Society of St. Sulpice - Sulpicians were founded in Paris in 1641.
History of the American Province of the Congregation of Precious Blood (C. PP. S.)

Religious Orders - Women

Vocations Online Internet Directory of Women's Religious Communities
Sisters Online
USA Catholic Directory for Religious Orders of Women online
CARMELNET - An Informational Database about Carmelites provided by the Carmelite Province of The Most Pure Heart of Mary Darien, Illinois USA
Ordre des Carmes - "visages de lumière Thérèse de Lisieux, Thérèse d'Avila, Jean de la Croix, Edith Stein, Elisabeth de Dijon, ... "
Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, the foundress of this order was recently canonized: Saint Katharine Drexel (1858-1955).
Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Moments in History.
Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul

Daughters of Charity - Evansville, Indiana - "...Sisters from the East Central Province serve in Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. Our Sisters are also active in ministries in Haiti, Israel, Japan, Lebanon, and Taiwan..."
Daughters of Charity - Albany, NY (northeast province) - "...The Albany Province serves in the Northeast part of the United States and Canada..."
Daughters of Charity - Emmitsburg, Maryland (southeast/Emmitsburg Province) -
Daughters of Charity - Los Alton, California (Seton/West Province) - "Serving God's people in the western states since 1852..."

Daughters of Charity - Paris, France

Maryknoll Sisters
Missionaries Of Charity, Bangalore - Order of Mother Teresa
Addresses of Missionaries of Charity regional houses and the Mother house.
Bon Secours International Home Page
The official home page of the Federation of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of the United States of America. - [Sisters of Saint Joseph founded at LePuy, France in 1650; est. U.S. in 1836]

Sisters of St. Joseph - A community of women religious in Brentwood, NY - The web site contains a History: "...A Sister of Saint Joseph sees herself as a woman of fire who keeps alive the flame of love of God and of neighbor which six women living in an impoverished mountain village in LePuy, France, kindled more than three centuries ago..."

Daughters of St. Paul
The Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul
Sisters of Mercy - International Centre, Dublin, Ireland - History and Global Organization.
Sisters of Mercy of the Americas
Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur - (Ohio Province)
School Sisters of Notre Dame - (Chicago, Illinois) - Around the World
Sisters of the Presentation of Mary (Province of Methuen, Massachusetts, U.S.A.) - History of the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary: Founded by Blessed Marie Rivier (b. 1768, in Montpezat, France -1838) "... Today, the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary serve in eighteen countries of the world: France, Switzerland, Canada, United States, England, Spain, Italy, Madeira, Portugal, Mozambique, Japan, Philippines, Senegal-Gambia, Ireland, Peru, Brazil, Cameroon, Ecuador. Our Generalate is presently located at Castelgandolfo (Rome), Italy..."
Sisters of Providence - (Indiana)
Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis - OSF
Salesian Sisters' World Headquarters in Rome
Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco - Around the World - Salesian Sisters via MAP
Sisters of the Holy Cross - Links to Holy Cross Sisters

Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament : Blessed Katharine Drexel (1858-1955) - Foundress of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament: "...On February 12, 1891, Katharine Drexel pronounced her vows as the first Sister of the Blessed Sacrament...In 1892 they moved to St. Elizabeth's Convent in Cornwell Heights, Pennsylvania...She led a life devoted to uplifting the minds and spirits of Native and African American women, men, and children. Founding and staffing schools for both Native and African Americans throughout the country became a priority for Bl. Katharine and her congregation..."

The Canonization Process and Archdiocese of Philadelphia News Release!
Pope John Paul II announced today that he has approved the canonization of Bl. Katharine Drexel of Philadelphia, and that he will canonize Mother Katharine as a Saint on Sunday, October 1, 2000 at Saint Peter's Square in Rome.

Catholic Secular Organizations

History of the Knights of Columbus - founded, in 1882, by Father Michael J. McGivney in New Haven, CT.

Charity Organizations

Boy's Town USA - founded in 1917 by by Father Edward Flanagan in Omaha, Nebraska, this site includes history with The Story of Boy's Town and an interactive map of US locations.

Catholic Music

John Michael Talbot
Traditional Catholic Midi Files: Old Hymns, Gregorian Chants, and more - by Donald A. Wyckoff - Hymn Index.
Gregorian Chant Home Page.

¹1990 Catholic Almanac. Felician A. Foy, O.F. M. (Editor), Rose M. Avato (Associate Editor). Huntington: Our Sunday Visitory Publishing Division, Our Sunday Visitor, Inc.

and

1998 Catholic Almanac. Felician A. Foy, O.F. M. and Rose M. Avato (Editors and Compilers). Huntington: Our Sunday Visitory Publishing Division, Our Sunday Visitor, Inc.
²New Advent, Inc. From the Catholic Encyclopedia, copyright © 1913 by the Encyclopedia Press, Inc. Electronic version copyright © 1997 by New Advent, Inc. (A Catholic Web Site transcribing The Catholic Encyclopedia: an International Work of Reference on the Constitution, Doctrine, Discipline and History of the Catholic Church. Herbermann, Pace, et al. (Editors). Imprint: Appleton (New York) 1907-1912.)
³Rt. Rev. H. J. Alerding. The Diocese of Fort Wayne, 1857-September 22-1907, A book of Historical Reference 1669-1907. 1907. Fort Wayne: The Archer Printing Co.

The paragraph is quoted in full below:

"The History of the Church is a record of the mercies of God on the human family. Considered in this light, the view that history is self-glorification is narrow in the extreme, and lacks the Christian instinct referring all things to God. The same holds good, be it the history of the Church in general, or of any portion of it. The purpose always is the glory of God and the salvation of souls. Such is the issue, and not the individual, not the missionary, not the priest; and therefore the Church records should be kept accurately and not withheld from publication. Gratitude prompts us to thank and glorify the Giver on High." -Rt. Rev. H. J. Alerding (1907)

Terms Defined

Apostolic Administrations - defined: "...the Latin Church sometimes sees that there is a need for some type of ecclesial structure and order, in areas where there are Catholic communities, but where there are important reasons for not establishing dioceses...."

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