Lexington Books The Rise and Fall of Triumph: The History of a Radical Roman Catholic Magazine, 1966-1976

This is a history of Triumph-a post-Vatican II, Roman Catholic lay magazine-that examines its origins and decline, paying special attention to the editors' often bellicose views on a range of issues, from Church affairs to the Vietnam War, and civil rights to abortion. Triumph's editors formed the magazine to defend the faith against what they perceived as the imprudent and secular excesses of Vatican II reformers, but especially against what they viewed as an increasing barbarous and anti-Christian American society. Yet Triumph was not a defensive magazine; rather, it was audaciously triumphalist-proclaiming the Roman Catholic faith as the solution to America's ills. The magazine sought to convert Americans to Roman Catholicism and to construct a confessional state, which subjected its power to the moral authority of the Roman Catholic Church. If the liberalizing and secularizing trajectory in American society exalted man as sovereign of himself and his world, as Triumph's editors posited, then their mission was to reinstitute Christ's Kingship, to hallow the world in His name. Review In this fascinating, well-written and provocative book Mark Popowski views Triumph and its supporters, "the Christian tribe," through sympathetic eyes. He shares their enthusiasm for a Catholicism that was both deeply traditional and daringly radical. On balance, he believes that they offered the right answers to the painful questions dividing America in the era of Vietnam, Watergate, the sexual revolution, and Roe v. Wade.--Patrick Allitt, Cahoon Family Professor of American History, Emory University The list of wrongs to be righted in church and state was familiar, including civil rights legislation, the Second Vatican Council (which had 'Protestantized' the Church), and the emerging counter culture. Popowski catalogs all this from the pages of the magazine itself, and other researchers will thus find a useful guide in pursuing their own particular interests. . . .Those looking for 1960s radicalism different from the usual kind will find here an example to be incorporated into the larger story of the times.--The Catholic Historical Review For decades I've heard people remark that someone would eventually write the story of TRIUMPH and the Christian Commonwealth Institutes. I am glad it turned out to be Dr. Mark Popowski. His study is extremely well researched, and he has placed TRIUMPH and its editors into historical context very well.--Dr. Alexandra Wilhelmsen, University of Dallas Mark Popowski has reminded us that the conservative movement was a house of many mansions. His discussion of the Catholic traditionalist movement and its journal Triumph is an important contribution to our understanding of the development of a conservative movement outside of the typical framework of electoral politics and the rise of the Right to political power.--Gregory L. Schneider, Emporia State University About the Author Mark D. Popowski is professor of history at Collin College in Frisco, Texas.