The Catholic Land Movement (CLM) is a modern revival of an early 20th-century initiative that encourages Catholics to return to rural living, emphasizing faith, family, and self-sufficient farming as a response to the challenges of modernity.
The Catholic Land Movement is a lay-led initiative that promotes a return to agrarian life rooted in Catholic principles. It seeks to foster family-centric, self-sufficient homesteads, drawing inspiration from historical Catholic Land Associations and teachings on stewardship and community.
The original movement started in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in Britain, spurred by figures like Fr. Vincent McNabb and supported by Pope Pius XI in 1933. The modern revival began around 2019 in the U.S., gaining momentum among young Catholic families.
The CLM aims to counteract the effects of industrialization and urban life by encouraging Catholics to live simply on the land. It promotes faith, family resilience, and sustainable living, aligning with Catholic social teachings like those in *Rerum Novarum* and *Laudato Si’*.
The movement organizes through local chapters, conferences, and workshops, teaching practical skills like farming, gardening, and animal husbandry. It connects families to productive land and builds networks of Catholic homesteaders for mutual support.
The modern CLM was co-founded by Andrew Ewell and Michael Guidice (aka Michael Thomas of Sharon) in the U.S. around 2019, inspired by historical figures like Fr. Vincent McNabb and the distributist ideas of G.K. Chesterton and Hilaire Belloc.
It offers a practical way for Catholics to live out their faith amid modern challenges like economic instability and cultural decline. By fostering self-reliance and community, it strengthens families and reconnects them with creation.
The CLM is grounded in Catholic social teaching, particularly *Rerum Novarum* (1891) on property ownership and *Quadragesimo Anno* (1931) on subsidiarity, as well as *Laudato Si’* (2015) on caring for creation, emphasizing work, justice, and family life.
No, it’s for any Catholic interested in rural living or homesteading, whether full-time farming or part-time gardening. It’s about integrating faith and land-based skills, not requiring everyone to become a farmer.
Individuals can attend CLM conferences (e.g., the annual event in New York), join local chapters, or participate in online networks. Practical steps include learning skills like canning or starting a garden at home.
Visit the official website at catholiclandmovement.info, explore resources like Fr. McNabb’s *The Church and the Land*, or follow CLM on social media for updates.
Listen to our interview with Michael from the Catholic Land movement.