American Catholic History
Latest Episodes
Archbishop Jean-Baptiste Lamy
The first bishop of the American territory of New Mexico, Jean-Baptiste Lamy was the subject of the historical novel "Death Comes for the Archbishop." Tom and Noëlle Crowe relate his work in bringing unruly clergy to heel and bringing the faith to unca...
Sr. Miriam Michael Stimson
All modern DNA science owes a debt to this formidable Dominican nun. Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell the story of Sr. Miriam, who blazed a trail for women in science in the mid-20th century and showed that in coming to know truth, we know more about God.
Noël Dube, Hero of D-Day
In a special 100th episode, Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell the story of Noëlle's grandfather, Noël Dube, a man of deep faith whose bravery and sacrifice on D-Day and following was matched only by his faith and devotion to the Blessed Mother throughout his l...
Fr. Emil Kapaun
Fr. Emil Kapaun may one day become the first Catholic saint who is also a Medal of Honor recipient. Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us about the dedicated US Army chaplain who died in a North Korean POW camp after selflessly praying with and encouraging his ...
Father Stephen Badin
Fr. Stephen Badin was the first Catholic priest ordained in the United States, a title he took great pride in. Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us about this gruff, rigid man who was also a tender and caring pastor, a man who traveled well over 100,
Catholics at Gettysburg
The Battle of Gettysburg is often considered a turning point of the Civil War. Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us how Catholics played key roles in the battle before, during, and after, including the Daughters of Charity who nursed the wounded and dying and ...
St. Damien of Molokai
Fr. Damien de Veuster came to the Hawaiian Islands in 1864 as a missionary and soon volunteered to minister to the leper colony on Molokai. Tom and Noëlle Crowe describe his ministry among those who were ill and set aside as one filled with joy and sel...
The Apparition of Our Lady of Good Help
In 1859, a young Belgian immigrant had an encounter in a Wisconsin forest with a woman surrounded by light. Tom and Noëlle Crowe relate how Adele accepted the call of Our Lady to catechize the children of the region and how 150 years later this became ...
St. Rose Priory and the Coming of the Dominicans
St. Rose Priory in Kentucky is the original home of the Dominican order in the United States. Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us how American-born Bishop Edward Fenwick brought the Order of Preachers to the US and established them here on the western frontie...
Fred Allen
Fred Allen was a hugely influential and beloved comic actor in the golden age of radio whose characters, tropes, and sketches have been imitated ever since. Tom and Noëlle Crowe tell us that even though Allen's Catholicism was public and obvious,