Catholic Revivalism - (American Experience, 1830-1900) by Jay P Dolan (Paperback)

About the Book

Dolan has succeeded in showing that revivalism, traditionally viewed as a Protestant phenomenon, was also a central feature of Catholic life and activity in the nineteenth century. Dolan suggests that the religion of revivalism not only found a home among Catholics, but indeed was a major force in forming their piety and building up their church.

Book Synopsis

**Catholic Revivalism is a groundbreaking book that casts new light on the history of the Catholic Church in America. **

Drawing on a wide variety of published and unpublished sources, Dolan has succeeded in showing that revivalism, traditionally viewed as a Protestant phenomenon, was also a central feature of Catholic life and activity in the nineteenth century. Dolan suggests that the religion of revivalism not only found a home among Catholics, but indeed was a major force in forming their piety and building up their church. He proves that any history of American Catholicism must include a look at the revival phenomenon.

Review Quotes

"Catholic historians in the past usually overlooked stories like this one. . . . Dr. Dolan belongs to a generation . . . who concentrate on the daily life of Catholic people. So he sets out in pursuit of the Catholic equivalents of circuit-riders, down their sawdust trails. . . . Dolan's chapter on a revival in a West Side New York parish in 1895 . . . imparts the feel of urban Catholicism as few books have." --The New York Times Book Review

"[T]his is a remarkable study, casting . . . light on the shape of Catholicism in 19th century America, illuminating from an unexpected angle discussions of the 'Americanization' of Catholicism, and filling in the story of revivalism." --Christian Century

"This is a groundbreaking book that throws new light on the history of the Catholic Church. Drawing on a wide variety of published and unpublished sources, Dolan has succeeded in showing that revivalism, traditionally viewed as a Protestant phenomenon, was also a central feature of Catholic life and activity in the nineteenth century." --Heythrop Journal

About the Author

Jay P. Dolan is a professor emeritus of history. He was a member of the faculty at the University of Notre Dame for thirty-three years, 1971-2004. He also taught at the University of San Francisco, the University of Chicago, University College, Cork, Ireland, and Boston College. While at Notre Dame, he founded the Cushwa Center for the Study of American Catholicism in 1975 and was the director of the Center until 1993. His most recent work is The Irish Americans: A History (2008).