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  • Be Centered in Christ and Not in Self: The Missionary Society of Saint Columban: The North American Story (1918–2018) by Angelyn Dries, O.S.F.
  • Robert E. Carbonneau C.P.
Be Centered in Christ and Not in Self: The Missionary Society of Saint Columban: The North American Story (1918–2018). By Angelyn Dries, O.S.F. (Orders@Xlibris.com. 2017. Pp. xxix, 431. $34.99 hardcover: ISBN 978-1-5434-3620-4; $23.99 paperback: ISBN 978-1-5434-3621-1.)

Become a missionary and see the United States! This centennial history of the Missionary Society of Saint Columban (Columbans) compliments a well-known mantra: become a missionary and see the world! Domestic and international experience often grounds a sound missionary identity. Building upon pre-existing histories of the Columban missionary narrative, this case study describes the diverse parameters whereby Irish Columbans, upon arrival in the United States (1918), sought American financial and spiritual support for their newly established China mission (1920) and others missionary efforts in the ensuing decades.

Designated by the Columbans to author the history, Angelyn Dries, O.S.F., professor emerita of St. Louis University and past president of the American Society of Missiology (1996–1997) as well as of the American Catholic Historical Association (2015–2106), concentrated research in the varied Columban archives and conducted numerous interviews of the membership. By using sources from multiple religious archives, historical, theological, and missiological publications, Dries enlivens and punctuates a detailed narrative. Historical unpacking of Columban North American missionary stewardship is the strength of this book.

Part One is “Development of a Corporate Columban Identity in the Region of the United States, 1918–2018.” Six chapters utilize the backdrop of American and Catholic history during this time frame. Described are Columban brick and mortar building initiatives in relationship to cash flow concerns and domestic seminary training in the context of an expanding world mission ecclesiology. Notable is the compelling leadership of Father Edward J. McCarthy from 1918 to 1934. Every Columban, he wrote in 1922, “owes it . . . to adopt the outlook of the country in which he works” (p. 31). McCarthy practiced what he preached: to “Americanize” (p. 26), he developed “simultaneously as a businessman, fundraiser, builder, scholar, preacher, author, faculty member, sometime” mission magazine editor, and local Nebraska pastor (pp. 5–6).

Dries’ narrative on how the Columbans came to be identified, particularly, with Omaha, Nebraska (1918), Silver Creek, New York (1924), Bristol, Rhode Island (1933), Milton, Massachusetts (1953), and Oconomowoc, Wisconsin (1961), successfully combines local and world church narratives. Such a terra-incognita relationship merits ongoing investigation by historians of American Catholicism.

Part Two is “Focus Areas of Columban History.” In six chapters, Dries successfully argues that, during the twentieth century and the decades to follow, Columbans employed theological principles of missiology praxis overseas within the North American context: “Mission promotion and Mission Education” [End Page 175] (Chap.7). Noteworthy innovative efforts of stewardship included Far East/Columban Mission Magazine and Bing Crosby singing on The Cross and Dragon, the 1930s film by Father Richard Ranaghan to promote the China mission. Father ‘Charlie’ Coulter, in the 1970s, enhanced media/education outreach alongside social justice and peace principles. Also, “Mission to Asian Communities in the United States” (Chap. 8) provides a fascinating and welcome narrative of Columban ministry to Chinese, Filipino, and Korean Catholics.

Minor editorial decisions would have been helpful. Occasionally, the narrative and footnotes are repetitious and competitive. It would have been preferable to number the footnotes for each chapter separately rather than sequentially throughout the book.

Overall, scholars of American religion, sociology, librarians, and graduate students interested in American Catholic identity and interdisciplinary themes associated with missiology will benefit from this book. They with friends, benefactors, and local historians familiar with the breadth of the Columban missionary endeavor will wish to acquire this significant work.

Robert E. Carbonneau C.P.
The University of Scranton
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