The 272: The Families Who Were Enslaved and Sold to Build the American Catholic Church

The GU272 Descendants' Origin Story is a groundbreaking account of the harrowing origin story of the Catholic Church in the United States.

This book follows one family through nearly two centuries of indentured servitude and enslavement to uncover the truth behind the Church's involvement in New World slavery.

With a foreword by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Annette Gordon-Reed, this book provides a detailed and thought-provoking look at the Church's role in sustaining enslavement in American society.

Through the saga of the Mahoney family, readers will gain a deeper understanding of how the Church relied on slave labor and slave sales to finance its operations.

The story begins with Ann Joice, a free Black woman who was enslaved by Jesuit priests, and her descendants who were sold in 1838.

This book is an essential addition to the history of the Catholic Church and will leave readers with a newfound appreciation for the resilience and determination of those who fought against enslavement.