Mary Ann Kennedy 20th Century Catholic Brochures Collection

This collection of ecclesiastical publications covers questions and answers about a wide range of topics for curious Catholics, dating throughout the 20th century. Consisting mostly of works from Liguori Publications and its affiliates, the brochures guide young Catholics through a myriad of everyday dilemmas and situations – including “Is Kissing Wrong?” “How to Be Liked By Others,” “Teen-Agers and Dating,” and Clothes, Culture and Modesty” – such that they may adhere strongly to their faith throughout each decision they make. Tracing their roots back to St. Alphonsus Liguori and his creation of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (Redemptorists) in 1732, the Liguorian Magazine was founded in 1913 by American Redemptorists as a pastoral companion guide for Catholics. Their mission was to “[convey] a timely pastoral message to Catholics on matters of faith, Christian living, and social justice, in order to continue their conversion to Christ.” Stemming from Liguori, Missouri, Liguori Publications became the largest distributor of Catholic pamphlets of the St. Louis Province, eventually buying out the Jesuit run Queen’s Work pamphlets, their largest competitor.