When Jesuit Father Ferdinand Farmer came to the US colonies before the Revolution, they were bitterly divided by religious intolerance. Tom and Noëlle tell us how his selfless, tireless efforts did much to break down the walls and help the Catholic faith to gain respect.
Episodes about "18th century"
George Washington, Catholic?
Ever since he died, there has been speculation that George Washington converted to Catholicism on his deathbed. Tom and Noëlle Crowe look at the reasons why some think our first President did and the attitudes and actions in his life that were favorable toward Catholics.
Carnival and Mardi Gras in the United States
Mardi Gras and Carnival have been celebrated around the world before they came to the New World. Mobile celebrated it before New Orleans took over.
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
Elizabeth Ann Seton was a wealthy socialite and then a convert. She founded parochial education and the daughters of charity, and is the first American-born saint.
Pope Night
The anti-Catholic Pope Night was the pre-Revolutionary War import of the British Guy Fawkes revelries on November 5, until George Washington stopped it.
Ven. Antonio Margil de Jesús
Fray Antonio Margil was the “The Friar of the Winged Feet” who evangelized much of Central America, Mexico, and present day Texas and Louisiana.
Fr. Gabriel Richard
Fr. Gabriel Richard helped found the University of Michigan, tirelessly worked to evangelize Detroit, and helped rebuild the city after a devastating fire.
Basilica of St. Louis, The King
The Old Cathedral of St. Louis was the first cathedral west of the Mississippi and was the only building spared when the Gateway to the West Arch was built.
Lt. Col. John Fitzgerald
John Fitzgerald was an aide-de-camp to George Washington who helped him avoid a coup and helped build Virginia’s first Catholic church.