The cultural proposal of catholic workers' circles in Argentina during the early 20th century

This article analyzes the cultural proposal of the Catholic Workers' Circles, which were created in the late 19th century in Argentina by Redemptorist German priest Federico Grote. Although their initial purpose was based on the political and social spheres, the Circles also addressed matters related to cultural life, as did the socialist and anarchist groups formed during those same years. To that end, they chose a structure that returned to the mutualism of the ethnic and social and cultural action associations of parish churches. The purpose of the Circles was to provide the worker and his family with assistance that ranged from healthcare and education to entertainment, always within the moral guidelines provided by Catholicism. Art and sports played key roles in educational and recreational activities. The first headquarters of the Circles were located in Buenos Aires, but the presence of this political and cultural organization rapidly spread throughout the country.