Overview

Roman Catholic sisters first traveled to the American West as providers of social services, education, and medical assistance. In Across God's Frontiers, Anne M. Butler traces the ways in which sisters challenged and reconfigured contemporary ideas about women, work, religion, and the West; moreover, she demonstrates how religious life became a vehicle for increasing women's agency and power. Moving to the West introduced significant changes for these women, including public employment and thoroughly unconventional monastic lives. As nuns and sisters adjusted to new circumstances and immersed themselves in rugged environments, Butler argues, the West shaped them; and through their labors and charities, the sisters in turn shaped the West. These female religious pioneers built institutions, brokered relationships between Indigenous peoples and encroaching settlers, and undertook varied occupations, often without organized funding or direct support from the church hierarchy. A comprehensive history of Roman Catholic nuns and sisters in the American West, Across God's Frontiers reveals Catholic sisters as dynamic and creative architects of civic and religious institutions in western communities.

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9781469622057

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Reviews

The women religious of the American West have found their voice in this book. Based on research in dozens of congregational archives, Across God's Frontiers is an exceptional work of research and analysis. One can only hope--perhaps pray is a better word--that the history of women religious in other regions of the country will find a scholar as diligent and thoughtful as Anne Butler. --The Annals of Iowa Across God's Frontiers livens up with its tales of courageous women and its forthright analysis of gender politics.--Tucson Weekly A celebration of the intrepid spirit of sisters who established ministries of the frontier.--Conscience Anyone interested in the history of American religion, Catholicism, women, education, race relations or cultural development should read this book.--America Magazine Butler has called attention to yet another strand of the West's complex mix of peoples and cultures.--H-SHGAPE Butler traces how sisters challenged and reconfigured contemporary ideas about women, work, religion, and the West.--American Catholic Studies Newsletter Highly recommended. All levels/libraries.--Choice It is impossible not to admire Across God's Frontiers. Butler's meticulous research and deft analysis will earn her high praise from her peers in American women's, Western, and religious history.--American Catholic Studies Newsletter This book is grand on many different levels.--Journal of American History This prodigious undertaking is the culmination of Butler's many years of research and articles devoted to the topic. . . . The author's broad-based use of the too-often ignored lives and archives of women religious is to be applauded. . . . Others, hopefully, will follow [her] lead.--Oregon Historical Quarterly

Across God's Frontiers livens up with its tales of courageous women and its forthright analysis of gender politics. -- Tucson Weekly

This prodigious undertaking is the culmination of Butler's many years of research and articles devoted to the topic. . . . The author's broad-based use of the too-often ignored lives and archives of women religious is to be applauded. . . . Others, hopefully, will follow [her] lead.--Oregon Historical Quarterly This book is grand on many different levels.--Journal of American History There are few richer historical veins to tap than the geographic range and subject of this book.--American Benedictine Review Raises important questions about the interaction of Catholics with the physical and cultural geography of the [American West] region, and the ways in which that interaction contributed to the emergence of an 'American' Catholic people.--Catholic Historical Review It will be difficult to imagine the American West or the Roman Catholic sisterhood the same way after reading this book. Across God's Frontiers is driven by Butler's extensive and impressive archival research, brought to life by sonorous prose that renders it a joy to read. The end result is a valuable contribution to western history, gender history, and Catholic history that deserves a wide audience.--American Historical Review It is impossible not to admire Across God's Frontiers. Butler's meticulous research and deft analysis will earn her high praise from her peers in American women's, Western, and religious history.--American Catholic Studies Newsletter Highly recommended. All levels/libraries.--Choice Cogently argued and elegantly written. . . . Across God's Frontiers will call deserved attention to the contributions of vowed women to both their church and their region.--The History of Women Religious Butler traces how sisters challenged and reconfigured contemporary ideas about women, work, religion, and the West.--American Catholic Studies Newsletter Butler has called attention to yet another strand of the West's complex mix of peoples and cultures.--H-SHGAPE Anyone interested in the history of American religion, Catholicism, women, education, race relations or cultural development should read this book.--America Magazine A fascinating inside look at the sisters' encounter with the West.--Great Plains Quarterly A deeply researched and eloquently argued study. . . . Opens up new ways to think about the work of Catholic sisters on the frontier.--Utah Historical Quarterly A celebration of the intrepid spirit of sisters who established ministries of the frontier.--Conscience Across God's Frontiers livens up with its tales of courageous women and its forthright analysis of gender politics.--Tucson Weekly The women religious of the American West have found their voice in this book. Based on research in dozens of congregational archives, Across God's Frontiers is an exceptional work of research and analysis. One can only hope--perhaps pray is a better word--that the history of women religious in other regions of the country will find a scholar as diligent and thoughtful as Anne Butler. --The Annals of Iowa

Butler has called attention to yet another strand of the West's complex mix of peoples and cultures.--H-SHGAPE

It is impossible not to admire Across God's Frontiers. Butler's meticulous research and deft analysis will earn her high praise from her peers in American women's, Western, and religious history. -- American Catholic Studies Newsletter

Author Information

Anne M. Butler is Trustee Professor Emerita at Utah State University, USA and past editor of the Western Historical Quarterly.

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