Villanova University, 1842-1992: American—Catholic—Augustinian by David R. Contosta (review)

138book reviews ofparishioners declined, and the very future ofthe parish was in doubt. Ui 1914 the parish inaugurated a 2:30 a.m. Mass for printers who worked the night shift at Baltimore's two major newspapers. The printers' Mass soon became a Baltimore institution and enabled the parish to survive. Ui 1940 the church underwent a major renovation. The pastor, John Martin, was the force behind this renovation that sought to restore some simpUcity to the church interior. He also used the occasion to revitaUze the spirit of the parish by integrating architecture , art, and Uturgy. The focus on devotionaUsm stiU manifested itself,but it was carried out Ui a more modern, simple style. The UveUest section of the book examines the history of the parish since the 1960's. WhUe other urban parishes were closing their doors, St. Vincent's gained new life. It became a showcase for the new liturgy and attracted people from the larger metropoUtan area. St. Vincent's was also the spiritual home for many Black CathoUcs who Uved in the pubUc housing projects that were buUt in the neighborhood Ui the 1950's. In anticipation of its 150th anniversary the parish once again underwent an architectural overhaul. This time the people of the parish were involved in estabUshing the goals of the renovation. Meetings were held over the course of five years to define these goals. Completed in 1990, this latest renovation reflected the theology ofchurch and parish that emanated from the Second Vatican CouncU. Divided into two parts, this study, richly documented with photographs and drawings, includes a history of the parish, written by the historian Thomas W Spalding, and a study of its architectural history by the architectural historian Kathryn M. Kuranda. Spalding is a gifted writer, and his narrative is engaging and thorough; Kuranda's architectural history is especiaUy fascinating since it remarkably reflects the changing history of American CathoUcism. This is an exceUent study of a venerable parish that continues to thrive after 150 years. Jay P Dolan University ofNotre Dame VUlanova University, 1842-1992: American—Catholic—Augustinian. By David R. Contosta. (University Park, Pennsylvania: The Pennsylvania State University Press. 1995. Pp. xvi, 331. $35.00.) In 1992, our author, in concert with the Reverend DennisJ. GaUagher, O.S.A., gave us the photo-historic essay EverAncient, Ever New: VUlanova University: 1842-1992. Although weU developed and concise, VUlanova needed a more complete history, and we have it in the volume reviewed here. As a Roman CathoUc institution oflearning,under the auspices ofthe Augustinian Friars,VUlanova played a significant role in the growth and development of many segments of the Archdiocese of PhUadelphia, particularly in the western suburbs of PhUadelphia. Augustinian monks of vision, who labored at St. Augustine's Church on Fourth Street in portside PhUadelphia, started the fledgling school BOOK REVIEWS139 with immense faith, knowledge, little fiscal stability, and a willingness to shoulder sacrifice in the name of evangelization and education. Contosta's volume attempts an institutional history that avoids the pitfaUs of a duU and uninteresting , narrowly focused monograph. It is rather a telling story of sacrifice, disappointment , tragedy, heroic devotion, and perseverance Ui the fece of almost unsurmountable chaUenges—from a secondary school to the conferring of its first Uberal arts degree in 1855, through a nation's undulating and unpredictable economic crises, two world wars, a chaUenging ecclesiastical monitoring, along with sponsoring monastic conflict, with neighborly opposition and mandated civil restrictions, eventuating in a highly respected CathoUc university,and auna mater to more than 35,000 distinguished graduates. Contosta's précis of VUlanova's nineteenth-century history notes closings, one in 1845, of which some Augustinians were aUegedly suspect in fiscal matters ; another closure in 1857, when friars went off to do missionary and parish work. VUlanova reopened for good in 1865, foUowing the national upheaval of civU war. By 1893, VUlanova had its first history, a monogram entitled Historic Sketch, by Father Middleton, O.S.A. At the same time, there seemed to be conflict among the Augustinians, highUghted by "Fedigan's FoUy" a fairly advanced plan for expansion, including separating secondary students from coUegians,by opening St. Nicholas ofTolentine Academy on...