In the December 1944 issue Archbishop Francis J. Spellman wrote “No true American will nurture, promote, or incite anti-Semitic, anti-Negro, anti-Catholic, anti-any group of fellow law-abiding American citizens.”[2] The magazine also printed stories on the importance of faith and a positive attitude in gaining strength during illness.

Louis A. Gales, the assistant pastor of St. Agnes Church in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

[7] He sent postcards to the 2,000 names on the Catechetical Guild mailing list, telling about his idea, and asking them to subscribe.

[2] Saint Paul's Archbishop John Gregory Murray provided Gales with a loan of one thousand dollars, though he felt the magazine would fail.

[7] Previously printed religious articles were condensed to one or two pages, which made it easy for busy people to keep informed on Catholic topics.

Original articles began being purchased and, though Catholic Digest continued to be based in Saint Paul, an additional office was opened in New York City.

[8] In 1962 Leo Binz was named the new archbishop of St. Paul and Minnesota, and he ordered a thorough audit of Catholic Digest's finances.

Archbishop Binz made an interpretation of church law and declared that the two priests could no longer own the magazine.

[8] In December 2001, the French Roman Catholic media group Bayard, Inc. purchased the magazine.

[12] In an April 9, 2020, press release, Baynard, Inc. announced it was closing down Catholic Digest.

In the Introduction to A Treasury of Catholic Digest — Favorite Stories of Fifty Years 1936 - 1986 Lexau remembers "editors in heaven" including Ed Harrigan, Harold O’Laughlin, Joe Aberwald and Maurice Murray.

In March 2012 Danielle Bean became the first female editor-in-chief[2] and Paul McKibben was the last managing editor.