Once upon a time, the New World had an army of salespeople on the streets every year. Thousands upon thousands of fresh-faced Catholic school pupils sold the paper door to door in their neighborhoods and to their families and friends, competing for individual awards as well as recognition for their schools.

The New World Crusade ran from 1939 until the mid-1960s, involving enough children that even now, when Chicago Catholic contacts people of a certain age, it’s not uncommon to hear, “I sold your paper when I was in school.” Among the erstwhile crusaders was Bishop John Manz, who, a few years ago, was presented with a plaque in honor of his efforts — a plaque that was probably some 50 years overdue.

The crusade was strongly supported by the cardinal-archbishops of Chicago. In 1965, Cardinal John Cody wrote this to school principals in advance of the two-week crusade:

“The part that you have had in the development of the New World has been truly edifying, and it is a source of happiness to me to know that it is extensively circulated. … I regard our Catholic newspaper as the most effective instrument possible for bearing the message of Christ to every Catholic home in the archdiocese.”

The crusade period was kicked off with four separate regional rallies on the same day. Awards were given not only to top sellers, but also to winners of poster and essay contests.