America’s Catholic Destiny

America’s destiny is tied to Catholicism, and many wonders will come about once it is realized.

The 1492 Project is a multi-part series to analyze America’s Catholic Founding.

Orestes Brownson, an American Catholic and writer, once referred to the task of converting America in Aspirations of Nature as “a thing every Catholic desires, prays for, and to some extent, no doubt, works for, although perhaps not with as much earnestness, zeal, and hopefulness as the impatience of us converts demands.”¹

This first and second installations of this series traced America’s Catholic history to the founding in 1492. Christopher Columbus’ voyage paved the way for Catholic France and Spain to create colonies in the New World. Though the colonies failed to form a genuine “Northern Rim of Christendom,” the initial founding of America was Catholic.²

The Puritans laid what would become Protestant America's foundation, greatly influencing American philosophy. Protestant America would solidify itself into the United States, which had elements of both Freemasonry and Deism. However, the basic political structure left the potential for a Catholic America. 

The final installation of The 1492 Project will discuss this series's ultimate goal: the reversion to Catholicism in America.

Before this mission can begin, three clear points must be established: Baptizing the nation is the truest form of patriotism for American Catholics, but in doing so we must reject the problematic Americanist heresy and recognize that America’s destiny is linked to Catholicism.

Baptizing is Patriotic 

Before Christ ascended into Heaven, he told His disciples: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” (Matthew 28:19). Commonly referred to as the Great Commission, Christ’s imperative to His followers is to preach the Gospel to the nations of the world. As American Catholics, this becomes our mission as well.

Baptizing the nation is the most patriotic act that an American Catholic can hold. The Great Commission is an extension of fidelity and love of country. The fullness of theology and philosophy is gained in Catholicism through direct access to Jesus Christ, most visibly in the Eucharist. The Catholic Church is the clearest answer to our political ills. The tradition and history of the Apostolic Church provide the fullness of the truth of Christianity. America needs the Catholic Church.

Our faith stems from this invasion of grace, which brings our minds closer to the Divine Logos. Celebrating the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass with the most blessed Sacrament allows Catholics to bring many souls closer to Jesus through this divine encounter.

The Great Commission does not just apply to evangelizing souls but nations. Christ specifies the Great Commission by calling us to “baptize the nations.” Christ’s commandment is instructive that the mission is not just for souls but for nations as well. The nation serves as an instrument to lead its citizens to virtue and prosperity. This view must be revived for the task at hand.

The early French and Spanish missionaries held this belief. It was through the work of these individuals, both lay and religious, that many natives converted to the faith. The blood of the martyrs and the courage of the early American saints, such as St. Junipero Setra, built the early American Church. The work of the early American missionaries should be an example for American Catholics. The mission will be difficult, but hope should motivate us further.

Beyond Americanism

If faithful Catholics are to promote America’s reversion, we must first reject the Americanist heresy.

The term “Americanism” was coined by Pope Leo XIII in his apostolic letter, Testem Benevolentiae Nostrae, or Witness to Our Good Will. During the time of his letter, Europe was experiencing numerous attempts in France, Germany, and England to nationalize the Catholic Church. Liberal Catholicism was at its height, and Pope Leo sought to protect the Church. Ruling after the loss of the Papal States, Pope Leo saw a significant threat to the Great Commission and an inversion of the political order. America was experiencing a similar phenomenon, as numerous Catholic priests compromised the Commission to raise the political status of Catholics in America.

Pope Leo penned a letter to Cardinal Gibbons, Archbishop of Baltimore, to bring attention to and suppress the heresy that:

From the foregoing it is manifest, beloved son, that we are not able to give approval to those views which, in their collective sense, are called by some “Americanism.” But if this is to be so understood that the doctrines which have been averted to above are not only indicated, but exalted, there can be no manner of doubt that our venerable brethren, the bishops of America, would be the first to repudiate and condemn it as being most injurious to themselves and to their country.

The Americanist heresy stands in contrast to our duty as Catholics. The letter attempts to resolve an issue with how American Catholics related to their nation. Pope Leo affirmed the Church’s duty to evangelize.

All the principles [of both faith and morals] come from the same Author and Master, “the Only Begotten Son, Who is in the bosom of the Father.” They are adapted to all times and all nations, as is clearly seen from the words of our Lord to His apostles: “Going, therefore, teach all nations; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you all days, even to the end of the world.”

There can be no accommodations of the Church to liberalism. American Catholics have failed to heed the warning of Pope Leo and have abandoned our mission to evangelize. The result has been Catholic statesmen who, for political power, sacrifice their Catholic beliefs. John F. Kennedy’s election victory solidified the Americanist heresy in our politics when he said, “I am not the Catholic candidate for president, I am the Democratic Party’s candidate for president, who happens also to be a Catholic.” The subordination of our faith to the political order continues to our current “devout” Catholic president, Joseph Biden.

American Catholics should not continue to sacrifice their faith for political gain. Pope Leo sought to build up the Church in America by suppressing specific contentions that diminished the Great Commission and pastorally redirect Catholics in America.

The modern American Catholic does not believe in converting the nation. To him, a Catholic America is outlandish and a fantasy. But this cannot stop our efforts. Pope Leo’s letter is not a condemnation of America but a warning not to make an idol out of the state. The Holy Father had great respect for the American Republic. Pope Leo even granted American Catholics a pledge of “divine assistance” and established the Catholic University of America to “give the Republic her best citizens.”

The Americanist heresy cannot continue to compromise the Great Commission.

America’s Catholic Destiny

America’s destiny is tied to Catholicism. There are two approaches for our nation to reach its destiny. One way would be a Catholic Political Realist approach, where faithful Catholics use the levers of power to build political change. This approach is important, but another equally important approach to the Great Commission exists: recognizing the inevitable reconciliation of American politics to Catholicism. This reconciliation occurs through the promotion of America’s Catholic heritage. Both of these approaches are symbiotic and will help lead America back to the bosom of Rome. America’s destiny is tied to Catholicism because the ultimate realization of politics is Catholic.

We must first recognize the importance of the unwritten constitution. Throughout Western history, unwritten constitutions have been the defining aspect of a nation’s identity. Unwritten constitutions were a staple in the legal history of the West as they connected written laws with eternal principles. Unwritten constitutions were also seen as expressing the nation’s tradition and history. Brownson also understood the importance of acknowledging a nation’s unwritten constitution or the constitution of the people, as he wrote in The American Republic.³ This constitution differs from the written (capital “C”) Constitution since it is based on history, as opposed to the written one, which is based on law. Unwritten constitutions connect to the people of a nation and dictate the nation’s sovereignty. They are essential to a nation’s character.

The Catholic, unwritten constitution of America is an aspect of our nation’s history that can provide the key to our future. The key is that history shows Catholicism was present at America’s founding. Catholicism serves as America’s unwritten constitution. Catholicism has not left America. The Catholic structures still exist in our nation. By connecting to our past Catholic traditions, Catholicism should reinfluence our political tradition. The American political tradition does not begin in 1776 or 1607, but in 1492. We must channel our unwritten constitution and remember America was Catholic before she was Protestant. 

It is also crucial to recognize how Catholicism fulfills the state's duty. Traditionally, Catholicism has understood the divine institution of the state. The state comes from God’s authority and has the duty to conform itself to the will of God. The classical and Catholic view of politics accepts that states will accept one religion over another. There is no formal separation between church and state. Laws will forever reflect morality. As Brownson says when discussing the nature of American government, “the state conscience is Catholic.”⁴ The setup of the American government has a deep connection to Western politics, transcending the American political tradition.

Brownson continues to bring this point up when he wrote: “Catholics are better fitted by their religion to comprehend the real character of the American constitution than any other class of Americans.”⁵ Catholicism is the religion that best fulfills the nature of  American governance. 

If Catholicism is accepted as the true faith, no other religion can replace it. If Catholicism is true, the state has to promote the faith. Therefore, laws should be influenced by Catholic values. This does not mean that there will be no ecumenism, but a governance influenced by the fullness of truth and theology. This is not a hostile takeover but the fulfillment of the American order. 

This does not mean the American identity must be abandoned. The Commission focuses on the Imago Dei, that all men are made in the image and likeness of God. The American identity is not sought after to be destroyed, but baptized. As Brownson wrote:

The best way undoubtedly is to lay aside nationalities, to remember only that we are Catholics, and make our appeal to our countrymen as men, as simple human beings, endowed with reason and free-will, having souls that will never die, and capable by a right use of their faculties, assisted by divine grace, to attain to the endless beatitude of heaven.

Furthermore, Brownson recognized the natural desire for the state to be reconciled to Catholicism as he made clear in Aspirations of Nature: “Man naturally aspires to the Catholic Church, or that she is that which responds to the aspirations of nature; for the aspirations of nature cannot rise above nature; nature can aspire to God only in the order of nature.”⁶

Catholicism is the religion that can best understand the Constitution. The basis of the Constitution comes from the classical ideas of natural law, freedom, order, the common good, and the nation’s solidarity. Catholicism provides a complete understanding of American politics. The faith of Christ’s church provides the outline for an obedient citizen who respects proper authority. The integration of Catholicism in America can revert our nation to its proper founding.

Quo Vadis? 

The 1492 Project is about reorienting how American Catholics view American history, ultimately showing Catholicism’s critical role in the political community. Our country’s history began under the Providence of God as a Catholic event. An American Catholic should appreciate our nation’s history and begin placing the building blocks for our reversion. Pope Leo XIII and Orestes Brownson should serve as the guides on our mission. These two men and many other great Catholic and American thinkers can help bring about a Catholic America.

The task is not too great. Ancient Rome, once the persecutor of the faith, became the strongest advocate for the faith. America will follow in Rome’s footsteps because America’s destiny is tied to Catholicism, and many wonders will emerge once it's realized. As Brownson put it elegantly: “We believe the church is destined to reap here a glory that she has never reaped in the conversion of any other country, not because the conversion of this country is more easy than that of others, but because it is more difficult.”

This series is not just about converting America. It is about saving souls. Our duty as faith Christians is to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ and help many souls reach heaven. 

If America were Catholic once, she will be again. 

A Prayer for the Conversion of America

O Mary, mother of mercy and refuge of sinners, we beseech thee, be pleased to look with pitiful eyes upon poor heretics and schismatics.

Thou who art the seat of wisdom, enlighten the minds that are miserably enfolded in the darkness of ignorance and sin, that they may clearly know that the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Roman Church is the one true Church of Jesus Christ, outside of which neither holiness nor salvation can be found.

Finish the work of their conversion by obtaining for them the grace to accept all the truths of our Holy Faith, and to submit themselves to the Supreme Roman Pontiff, the Vicar of Jesus Christ on earth; that so, being united with us in the sweet chains of divine charity, there may soon be one only fold under the same one Shepherd; and may we all, O glorious virgin, sing forever with exultation: Rejoice, O virgin Mary, thou only hast destroyed all heresies in the whole world.

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1. “Aspirations of Nature (A View of Nature and the Supernatural),” Orestes Brownson Society, http://orestesbrownson.org/723.html.

2. Coulombe, Charles A., Puritan’s empire, Tumblar House, 2008.

3. Brownson, Orestes Augustus. The American Republic: Its Constitution, tendencies, and destiny. Lector House, 2020.

4.  Ibid., pg. 134

5.  Ibid., pg. 123

6. “Aspirations of Nature (A View of Nature and the Supernatural),” Orestes Brownson Society, http://orestesbrownson.org/723.html.