A. Collections and Libraries

Not applicable.

B. Programs

From its earliest years the Association has pursued two main objectives. One is to promote a deeper and more widespread knowledge of the history of the Catholic Church broadly considered, which encompasses its internal life—its growth and expansion from the apostolic age to the present and in all quarters of the Earth; its evolving doctrine, discipline, polity, liturgy, spirituality, and piety; and its missionary, charitable, and educational activities—as well as its external life—its relations with the civil government; its members’ individual and collective influence on the intellectual, cultural, political, and social progress of mankind; and its members’ attitudes toward their contemporary circumstances and problems.

The other important aim is the advancement of historical scholarship in all fields among its members by rendering them various services, offering them opportunities for utilizing their talents, and according them public recognition for their demonstrated merits. The Association has always enjoyed the support of Catholic universities, colleges, and seminaries and has endeavored, in turn, to make itself especially helpful to their teachers, scholars, and students. In more recent times, the Association has invited diocesan and religious archivists and historians to become a part of the ACHA family.

The ACHA meets annually in conjunction with the American Historical Association’s annual meeting in early January. The association also sponsors a spring conference in March/April of each year at a local college or university. For conference information, see the website at www.achahistory.org.

C. Publications

The Catholic Historical Review is the official organ of the ACHA, published quarterly by Catholic University of America Press.

D. Fellowships and Awards

The American Catholic Historical Association awards the following prizes annually:

The John Gilmary Shea Prize for a published book on the history of the Catholic Church broadly considered. The prize is given annually to the author of a book, published during a preceding 12-month period, which is judged by a committee of experts to have made the most original and distinguished contribution to knowledge of the history of the Catholic Church. Any author who is a citizen or permanent resident of the United States or Canada is eligible.

The Helen and Howard R. Marraro Prize for a work on Italian history or Italo-American history or relations. The prize is given annually to the author of a book that is judged by a committee of experts to be the most distinguished work dealing with Italian history or Italo-American history or relations that has been published in a preceding twelve-month period. It is named in memory of Howard A. Marraro (1879–1972), who was a professor in Columbia University and the author of more than a dozen books on Italian literature, history, and culture. Entries must first have been published in English by a historian whose usual residence is North America.

The Peter Guilday Prize is awarded for a manuscript, accepted by the editor of the Catholic Historical Review, that is the author’s first scholarly publication. Entries must be submitted as articles; those received in the editorial office by September 1 of any year will be considered for that year’s prize. The winning article will be published in the following year. Any author who is a citizen or permanent resident of the United States or Canada is eligible.

In partnership with the Cushwa Center for the Study of American Catholicism, the ACHA has established the Cyprian Davis, O.S.B., Prize recognizing works in progress that promise to make significant contributions to the study of the Black Catholic experience. This prize celebrates the life and legacy of Father Cyprian Davis, O.S.B. (1930–2015), a Benedictine monk of Saint Meinrad Archabbey in Indiana, respected academic, and beloved teacher and lecturer. Father Davis served as archivist for the National Black Catholic Clergy Caucus, of which he was a founding member in 1968. Among his six books, The History of Black Catholics in the United States (Crossroad, 1990) won the John Gilmary Shea Prize for its groundbreaking contribution. Father Davis’ comprehensive history helped restore the stories of Black Catholics to the writing and teaching of U.S. Catholic history and continues to inspire new scholarship on African American Catholicism.

The John Tracy Ellis Dissertation Award, memorializes the scholarship and teaching of Monsignor Ellis (1905–92). Its purpose is to assist a graduate student working on some aspect of the history of the Catholic Church. Those wishing to enter the competition for the award must be citizens or authorized residents (i.e., permanent residents or on student visas) of the United States or Canada, and must be enrolled in a doctoral program at a recognized institution of higher education.

The Summer Research and Writing Grants will be awarded to three ACHA members each spring.

The ACHA President’s Award provides partial funding to two graduate students whose papers have been accepted by the program chair. The award provides partial assistance to attend either the January or Spring conference where the student is presenting his/her work.

The ACHA Distinguished Service Awards are presented in three categories: for teaching, scholarship, and contribution to Catholic studies. The association’s Distinguished Achievement Award for Scholarship is bestowed on that scholar who, in the opinion of the committee making the selection, has during a long career made a significant impact on the understanding of Catholic history. The award is not for one book or any single piece of scholarship, but for a sustained series of contributions which have fundamentally animated the research of others besides being significant in their own right. The association’s Award for Service to Catholic Studies acknowledges the exceptional contributions of those who “promote study and research of the history of Catholicism broadly conceived” apart from teaching and publication. The term “service” may include any and all of the following, but are not restricted to them: service to the Association, archival management, museum displays that advance public knowledge of Catholic history, media and other activities that promote the role and place of Catholic studies to a wide audience. The association presents a Distinguished Teaching Award annually to a college or university professor who has demonstrated a high commitment to teaching beyond the expected requirements of their position and through their influence and skill have promoted Catholic studies from one generation of scholars to another. Through this award the ACHA recognizes the importance of creative and effective teaching in the growth of Catholic studies.