Disciples of Antigonish: Catholics in Nova Scotia, 1880-1960

The Diocese of Antigonish, in eastern Nova Scotia, had a significant impact on Canadian Catholicism, producing the first Roman Catholic prime minister, supplying clergy and women-religious, and organizing the Antigonish Movement. It shifted from ultramontanism to a more socially conscious Catholicism after the First World War, becoming famous throughout the Catholic world.

Format: Paperback / softback
Publication date: 15 September 2022
Publisher: McGill-Queen's University Press

For generations, Eastern Nova Scotia held a renowned status as one of the most celebrated Roman Catholic constituencies in Canada. Despite its modest size within a politically marginalized region of the country, the Diocese of Antigonish wielded a significant influence over the development of Canadian Catholicism. It played a pivotal role in producing the first Roman Catholic prime minister of Canada, providing clergy and women-religious to the nation, and organizing one of the most successful social movements in North America.

Disciples of Antigonish delves into the history of this distinctive multi-ethnic community, as it transitioned from the strict ultramontanism of the nineteenth century to a more socially conscious Catholicism following the First World War. Author Peter Ludlow intricately chronicles the unwavering faith of the faithful as they constructed a robust Catholic sub-state, navigating economic uncertainties,generational outmigration, and labor unrest. As the epicenter of the Antigonish Movement, a network of adult study clubs, cooperatives, and credit unions, the diocese gained international recognition within the Catholic world.

The influence of "mighty big and strong Antigonish," as one national figure aptly described the community, reached its pinnacle in the 1950s. Disciples of Antigonish meticulously traces the profound transformations that unfolded within the region and the broader church over nearly a century, showcasing that the Catholic faith in Canada extended far beyond Sunday Mass. This captivating narrative underscores the enduring significance of the Diocese of Antigonish in shaping the religious and social landscape of Canada.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780228010883