Histoire des organisations et mouvements chrétiens de jeunesse en France (XIXe–XXe siècle) (review)

Histoire des organisations et mouvements chrétiens de jeunesse en France (XIX^e-XX^e siècle). By Gérard Cholvy. (Paris: Les Éditions du Cerf. 1999. Pp. 419. 150 F. paperback.)

Inevitably a fine line exists between genuine criticism in an academic review and a wish list of the reviewer which poses all too frequently as a critique. Consequently, I feel compelled to make such a distinction in this review. On my wish list for a book of this nature, I would have liked a significantly greater emphasis on specialized Catholic Action, especially the Jeunesse Ouvrière Chrétienne (J.O.C.). My reasons are simple: my career continues to include research and publication on this most creative and fascinating sector of French and Quebec Catholic youth movements. However, this wish remains simply that, a wish, and of course, I and any other researcher, including Dr. Cholvy, may decide to take up such a project. Having divested myself of such a desire, it is time to move toward evaluating this book upon its merits and purpose.

At the outset I have nothing but accolades for this fine and welcome contribution to the scholarship of Catholic history in modern France. To be sure, this text goes beyond the examination of Catholic youth movements by its excellent coverage of Protestant movements as well, but this particular description is virtually new ground beyond my own work. Consequently, I can only express my gratitude to the author for information that is virtually new to me.

For me, this study stands out as a vitally needed textbook covering the history, role, and impact of French youth movements tied to Christianity. Certainly, Dr. Cholvy stands out as a specialist in this field, given his numerous publications on such matters to date. The field of social Catholicism in France has witnessed an explosion in recent years, mostly in specialized works. Increasingly this area cries out for broader, more inclusive works to gather such in-depth publications into a broader whole. The recent work of Pierre Pierrard and Émile Poulat represent top-notch scholarship in this direction. Dr. Cholvy's Histoire joins such fine works. As well, his coverage of specialized Catholic Action emerged with accuracy and balance, fitting neatly into his broader context.

Though the entire book bordered on the flawless, I would like to underscore four additional areas worthy of special mention: (1) His description of the early movements, subsequent to the French Revolution and up to the Third Republic, are masterful. Especially interesting is his coverage of the work of Father Joseph-Marie Timon-David as well as the youth connected with the Vincent de Paul movement. (2) Further, he brings to light seriously needed data on how the world-wide Scout movements impacted upon and were adapted to France. (3) Often forgotten in the plethora of creative social Catholic movements is that traditional bastion of the Church--the parish. Dr. Cholvy does not make that mistake, demonstrated by his thoughtful coverage of Catholic youth movements in French parish life. (4) Finally, his inclusion of women in Christian youth movements underscores a healthy trend of recognizing the vital role played by women in both Christian and world history. All told, Dr. Cholvy's Histoire des organisations et mouvements chrétiens de jeunesse en France enters the field of social Catholic historiography as a welcome and brilliant work of breadth and scholarship.

Oscar L. Cole-Arnal
Waterloo Lutheran Seminary, Waterloo, Ontario

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