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Pilgrimage

A History of Western Civilization delivers a depth and breadth of knowledge that few other resources can match. Spanning from the origins of civilization through the medieval world, this first volume of the Pilgrimage Series guides students through the ancient Fertile Crescent, Greece, Rome, and the rise of the early Church, culminating in the flowering of Christian culture in medieval Europe. Ideal for high school programs seeking a rich, integrated account of history through a Catholic lens.

With great care, the authors have provided a historical narrative designed to convey a wide range of topics in a manner that prepares students to engage thoughtfully with secular perspectives while deepening their Catholic faith.

Student Workbook available 2026
Volume II available 2027

Some topics include:

  1. A Catholic approach to history
  2. The wisdom and folly of Greece
  3. The death and rebirth of Rome
  4. The first great schism
  5. The ambition of Justinian Charlemagne’s City of God
  6. The High Middle Ages

Thanks to the diligent work of Richard Allington, PhD and Joseph Reidy, PhD, students will be well-equipped to understand all these topics and more. This textbook is designed for high school students, but the knowledge within these pages is beneficial to the life-long learner of any age.

Pilgrimage Endorsements

“Allington and Reidy share with readers valuable insights into human history as they journey through the centuries from a Catholic perspective, revealing how Christianity inspired many of the greatest developments in human thought. Through evidence-based research and by uncovering human motivations, the authors explain why an incident in history happened and how religion is a fundamental component of human culture.”
—Most Rev. Salvatore J. Cordileone, Archbishop of San Francisco

“I thoroughly enjoyed reading Pilgrimage. It is going to make an important contribution to a revival of the study of Western Civilization, a study that has been sorely neglected these past three decades. I pray this project will be successful.”
—Msgr. Michael Witt, Professor of Church History, Kenrick-Glennon Seminary

“I have been waiting for a book like this for a very long time. In an age that seeks to discredit the achievements of Western Civilization, Allington and Reidy boldly celebrate the scientific, political, economic, social, and historical impact of the Judeo-Christian ethos. This book is a long time coming and should prove an excellent choice for anyone seeking a balanced overview of Western history.”
—Fr. J. Augustine Wetta, OSB, author of Humility Rules

“Pilgrimage is an approachable and digestible introduction for Catholic parents and their students to the complexities of the premodern world and the place of the Catholic Church within it. The authors’ lucid style, engagement with scholarship, and clear chapters make this work both academic and faithful. It is beautifully produced and highly recommended.”
—Donald S. Prudlo, Warren Professor of Catholic Studies, The University of Tulsa

“Pilgrimage presents an expansive survey of Western Civilization from the Neolithic Revolution to the death of Pope Boniface VIII. The authors offer a narrative of uncommon depth and disciplinary rigor, acknowledging the limits of source material while drawing readers into a world unlike our own. This book exemplifies how a Catholic approach to history can be both academic and faithful.”
—Daniel Davy, Associate Professor of History, Ave Maria University