2. Into the New World The first missions in the New World were started by 12 Franciscans in 1493, who traveled with Columbus. These missions were in Cuba, Puerto Rico, Florida, Mexico, and Texas. Many natives were introduced to Christianity, including one very important native, Juan Diego. Juan Diego had a vision of Mary, who sent him signs throughout a time in his life, such as roses growing where they should not be and a cloak with her face on it. These things happened in Guadalupe, Mexico, so Mary is also known as Our Lady of Guadalupe now. This first mission settlement was in St. Augustine, Florida. It was established in 1565. Another old mission is in Santé Fe, New Mexico, and was established in 1609.

3. Saint Augustine Mission, Saint Augustine, Florida

4. Holy Missionaries Many Jesuit missionaries from areas around France ministered to the Great Lakes Region side by side with Native Americans. Isaac Jogues and the North American Martyrs were some of these missionaries. Isaac Jogues was a missionary in the 17 th century who was tortured by those of the Mohawk tribe. When he escaped, he returned to France, he decided to go back to Canada. This was where he was martyred for his faith. Another man, Jacques Marquette, was a Jesuit explorer. He explored over 2,500 miles along the Mississippi River and created maps that eventually aided new settlers.

5. California Missions and the Franciscans The Church is catholic, or sent to all people. This is why there are so many missions within North America. Twenty- one of them being in California, 9 were started by a Franciscan named Padre Junipero Serra. Padre Serra began his mission work in Mexico, naming his missions after saints honored in his native island off the Coast of Spain. He was eventually sent to the Pacific Coast, where he founded many missions. Towards the end of his life, he directed his missions to Native Americans, and also introduced them to Christ.

6. The Church in the Colonies During the early years of the English colonies in the United States, Catholics were persecuted and forbidden to practice their faith. It even made people angry when Catholics were given the right to have a religion in Canada, a separate region of North America. Feelings did improve, though, as many Catholics served in the Revolutionary War. Finally, in 1789, the Constitution was passed, creating separation between Church and government. This forbid a national religion and gave Catholics freedom of religion.

7. The First American Bishop With no bishop in the colonies, people were anxious to have one appointed. In the 1780’s, the Vatican allowed the American priests to choose a bishop. They chose John Carroll, who was a Jesuit priest from Baltimore. He founded both Georgetown University (the first Catholic College) and St. Mary’s Baltimore (the first U.S. seminary).

8. Three Great Saints Elizabeth Ann Seton, a widow with five children, converted to Catholicism at a young age. She founded the first girls Catholic school and the first U.S. religious community, the Sisters of Charity. Elizabeth was canonized the 1 st American saint in 1975. John Neumann was a Bohemian priest in the early years of our country. He became the bishop of Philadelphia because of his tendency to work hard and to be responsible. As bishop, he began to build 50 churches and a cathedral. He also founded 100 schools, and supported over 100 parishes. Frances Cabrini was an immigrant during the 19 th century. Mother Cabrini founded (in Italy) the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart. When she came to America, she founded about 70 institutions for those who were poor and sick.

9. Hatred Grows As more and more Catholics came to America, Protestants feared America would be under the Pope’s control. Catholics began to be persecuted, and three anti-catholic groups formed: The Know Nothing Party – Tried to politically suppress Catholicism. The Ku Klux Klan – Opposed Jews, Catholics, and African Americans. The American Protective Association – Spread anti-catholic propaganda.

10. Defending Workers Many workers were treated unfairly in early America. To help workers, The Knights of Labor were founded. This union was condemned, but Bishop James Cardinal Gibbons of Baltimore wrote Rome on its behalf. Finally, the issue was settled when Pope Leo XIII wrote Rerum Novarum, and encyclical on social justice.

11. The Baltimore Catechism In Baltimore in 1884, it was decided that all parishes need to have a Catholic school to accompany them. The Baltimore Catechism was also commissioned, which would be the religion text for all children. The goal of this was to transfer each generation the Church’s teachings.

12. Missions within the U.S.A. Up until 1908, America was still considered a mission country in the eyes of Rome. This was changed when America founded its own missionary association. It was located on a hill in New York named Mary Knoll. This then became known as the Mary Knoll Society and began its missions in 1918.

13. The Church in Washington D.C. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)was set up 1919 in Washington D.C. to carry out the social teachings of the Church. Also, the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is located in Washington D.C. Mary, under the title Immaculate Conception, was declared patroness of the U.S. in 1847 and the shrine was built in 1957. Inside it are individual shrines of Mary, representing the different nationalities of the U.S.A.

14. The Church in Politics and Popes in America In 1928, Alfred Smith was the first Catholic to run for president. He lost because of an anti-catholic attitude that was nation wide. In 1960, John Kennedy was elected the first Catholic president, showing the impact of the Church in America. Social issues were also addressed other ways. Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin founded the Catholic Worker Movement and made the Catholic Worker, a newspaper. They also opened a homeless shelter in New York and joined Civil Rights and Social Justice demonstrations. Popes also helped to promote these things in America. In 1965, Pope Paul VI was the first Pope in the Western Hemisphere and in the U.S. Pope John Paul II also visited the U.S. numerous times, and spoke about opposing a “culture of death.”

15. A New Catechism In 2006, the Conference of Catholic Bishops published a new catechism, the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which was a summary of the previous catechism. The Compendium features 598 questions and answers, and serves as a guide for adults and young adults.

16. Vocabulary North American Martyrs – The 8 missionaries to the New World who were martyred from 1642 to 1649, the most famous being Isaac Jogues. They were canonized in 1930. Immaculate Conception – One of the titles for Mary, who was declared the patroness of the U.S.A. It is also a shrine located in Washington D.C. Catholic Worker Movement – A movement founded by Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin, which addresses social rights. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) – An organization set up in Washington D.C. in 1919 that was meant to carry out the Church’s social teachings.