Remembering Dr. James Hitchcock

We at Catholic Textbook Project mourn the loss of one of America’s and the Church’s great historians, Dr. James Hitchcock, who recently joined his equally influential wife, Helen Hull Hitchcock, in everlasting life. Dr. Hitchcock was one of the earliest supporters of this important apostolate to Catholic schools. 

He wrote to me, early on in our efforts:

“The Catholic Textbook Project is one of the most promising enterprises of the post-conciliar era, with its determination to once more make available to Catholics an understanding of ‘secular’ subjects which helps illumine the richness of the Faith.”

—James Hitchcock, Ph.D., Princeton University; Professor of History, St. Louis University.

Subsequently, he graciously read most of our manuscripts, providing valuable editorial feedback and some rich additions to our stories. What a blessing to all who study with CTP that we get to partake in Dr. Hitchcock’s wisdom, knowledge, and profound love for the Church in some way. He also sat down with us some years ago at NCEA in St. Louis to record some thoughts on CTP, history, and education. Some brief clips can be seen in our short promo video HERE.

His exceptional work, History of the Catholic Church, is one of his great gifts to the Church through the tumultuous times we have lived through in the last 60+ years. His ability to see across moments and fads is a keen benefit of learning to see and think like a historian.

Though we are sad to see him go, we rejoice in the thousands of students he inspired in the university classroom and hundreds of thousands he helped inspire with his work for us at CTP. Read his full obituary HERE. I know that if Dr. Hitchcock were to be able to say one last thing to me, it would be to ask for prayers for the souls of himself and his bride—and for the health of the Church.

Please join us in a prayer of gratitude and eternal rest for Dr. and Mrs. James F. Hitchcock.