Customer Reviews

Catholicism For Dummies

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I am currently an Anglican/Episcopalian exploring the Catholic Church, likely to be received soon. I have an extensive background in Scripture, Church History, ancient languages, etc. Yet as I began to explore the Catholic Church I realized that I could tell you quite a bit about St. Thomas Aquinas' understanding of transubstantiation, but I didn't know something as simple as when to cross myself at Mass! I also didn't know the official differences between mortal and venial sins, the ins-and-outs of papal infallibility, or the difference between a sacrament and a sacramental. This book helped me understand all of these things and then some. My point is that virtually anybody can learn a lot about the Catholic Church from this book, even those who consider themselves fairly knowledgeable to begin with (like cradle Catholics).

The style is easy-to-read, straight-forward, and the advice and information is always based on official Church teaching. So it is not a good place to go if you wish to join the Catholic Church because you like the stain glass windows but don't want to accept Church teachings. This does not mean the authors cover up or gloss over difficult issues. They clearly admit how some popes were awful, and they have harsh words for the minority of priests who sexually abuse children. They do put these issues in perspective, pointing out that the papacy has a better record than most secular leaders, and the sinfulness of Peter, who was still chosen as first of the apostles. They also compare molestation by priests to molestation within families, showing that within families it is far more rampant (without excusing bad priests' behavior!). These are fair and balanced assessments in my opinion. This is not an apologetics book, although it does go to some length to show the Faith in a positive light. While strict apologetics books (Protestant or otherwise) often leave me cold, this book was a delight to read.

I read this is an entire weekend, and felt prepared to visit a Catholic Church for the first time in years. In addition to using this book, I would recommend reading the Catechism, using The New Saint Joseph People's Prayer Book, and reading the early Church Fathers. The Faith of the Early Fathers by William Jurgens is a three volume set with excerpts from the Fathers. Scott Hahn's works are also recommended. Personally, I would say the best way to get a glimpse of the Catholic Church is to visit a Mass (but don't commune until you are a member!). Ultimately it was worshipping and praying with the Church that convinced me that Catholic was the way to go. Overall, Catholicism for Dummies is a good introduction to the Catholic Church, and tells you everything you really need to know in a concise and enjoyable way.

"Catholicism For Dummies" is a comprehensive explanation of Catholic doctrine, practice and traditions in language easily understandable by the general public. The topics are covered in sufficient depth to be thorough without becoming boring. It is divided into five parts and twenty-two chapters covering t what it means to be Catholic, what Catholics believe, how we pray, how we live and concludes with lists of famous Catholics, Catholic places and saints along with a brief history of the Church.

Fathers Trigilio and Brighenti have provided the reader with a work that is more easily read than the Catechism of the Catholic Church while providing an effective introduction to and explanation of the Church. Whether you are merely curious about Catholicism or a practicing Catholic who wants to deepen his understanding and improve his ability to explain the faith to other, "Catholicism For Dummies" is a great resource.

I've been Catholic for more than thirty years, but my wife just converted six years ago. When she started going through RCIA there were a ton of questions from her, her family, and our friends about Catholicism. I was stunned to find that I didn't know the answer to quite a few of those questions.

Catholicism For Dummies is the very best of the reference books I've found on the topic. Most of the other books I've used to help answer questions about holy days, rituals, and of course Mary were hard to read, or assumed that the reader had quite a bit of prior knowledge. But this book, just like it says on the cover, truly is "the reference for the rest of us!"

I'd recommend this book to every Catholic, as well as to anyone considering joining the church.

This book explains the reasons behind the doctrine/theology. Some don't like it because it doesn't allow for people to "belive what works for them", which is WHY I like this; no ambiguous statements, everything is laid out how the Catholic Church teaches it. I think what may offend people here is that it shows what Canon law professes, not what they want it to profess: for example, the true nature of the Eucharist is it becomes the divine flesh and blood of Christ, not just a symbolic representation. This book is not designed to make one feel ok about what they believe, it's about what the Church teaches.

If anyone wants to read about what Catholicism teaches, this is an excellent book to start with. It's written on a level that both scholar and "Average Joe" can appreciate. It attempts to explain and defend Catholicism without trying to tear down others. As a convinced Protestant, I understand this religion much more now than I once did, as reading this book will take away many misunderstandings people have about the Catholic faith.

This book is really easy to understand and is helpful in explaining about the church to other Christians. I would recommend this to anyone interested in finding out more about the Catholic church. This book gets it right, unlike the Idiots Guide! Do not purchase that book; get this one instead!

When I first saw this book in the store, I thought it was a put-on, ridiculous like the sacrilegious Jesus Bobblehead I'd seen about the same time. Armed and ready to figuratively rip it to shreds, I nevertheless persevered, sat down and pored over it. It wasn't long before I'd determined that this book belied its misleading title and ought to have been required reading for Catholics who wanted matters explained correctly in a reliable, authoritative, no-nonsense, simple, pedantic manner. Within an hour I bought it, quite a turnaround from trashing it, and gave it to my very best friend, a former Catholic nun and very strict old-school Catholic from Scotland as a Christmas gift.

She now uses it to teach her children and finds it to be essentially irreplaceable as a teaching aid. The school authorites can toss away the watered down, meaningless, psycho-babble books they now use to teach their version of Catholicism to young people and replace then with Catholicism for Dummies. Our faith is not about sticking our fingers up in the air, determining which way the politically correct wind is blowing and 'getting with the times.' It's about the tenets of Catholicism as taught by scripture and sacred tradition. No book that I've seen (many) helps with it as much as this finely prepared book.

Larry Wood

I have found this book very readable and an exceptional source for what and why the Catholic Church teaches what it does.
A much much better alternative than the "Complete Idiot's guide to Catholicism".

First sentence:

Being Catholic means living a totally Christian life and having a Catholic perspective.

Reason for Reading: I bought this book when I decided to convert to Catholicism last year. I never did read it but used the index frequently, looking up topics, especially during RCIA classes and now that I've been Catholic since last Easter I've decided to devote some time to reading about my religion and thought this would be a great place to start.

Comments: This book is a great big overview of what it means to be Catholic from the basics, to the rituals, to the Sacraments, to the most sacred beliefs, to the most misunderstood traditions and ends with brief bios of famous Catholics and Saints and a whirlwind history of the Church. Chockful of all sorts of information! Written in a easy going narrative, open to any level of reader, even when the topics take a turn towards the theological easy everyday analogies are made to reach the understanding of the layperson. The authors also have a sense of humour which turns up every now and then causing a smile and each Part is started with a Rich Tennant "The 5th Wave" comic.

A blurb on the front states the book is for "all ages and beliefs", but honestly I don't think this is the type of book that just anyone would want to pick up and read for the fun of it. While it does cover basic Catholic believes it also does get quite deep into Catholicism and controversial subjects and is written from the point of view of Catholics, thus, that the truth is being presented. So, if you have no real interest in the Catholic faith this book will not be of use to you. However, it is the perfect book for someone who is considering converting, someone already taking RCIA classes, a new convert or someone who has a close friend or family member who either is Catholic or is converting and you seriously want to understand their faith and finally I would also recommend the book for cradle Catholics who have left the Church and are returning or thinking of returning, as a refresher.

Personally, I read a lot of things I already knew. I also finally saw the light on several subjects that I never truly really understood before such as why exactly the real *need* for infant baptisms among others and while I've always believed in purgatory (even as a Protestant {gasp}! now I *really* get it). I discovered many new things, particularly concerning the history of the Church. We don't learn this in RCIA and they certainly don't teach it in public education. Truly fascinating stuff! Not only the history of the Church but the history of the Sacraments themselves and the traditions that come straight from Jesus and the disciples. One of the most fascinating things I learned of was the Incorruptibles which I've been googling ever since and will certainly read more about later on.

The only negative remark I have is that this book was printed in 2003. I bought my book last year (2008) and received the 10th printing. It's certainly more than time to update to a 2nd edition as there are many instances in the text that could do with updating and of course Pope Benedict XVI needs to be included.

Now that I'm finished with this book I am left with many page corners dog-eared because they reference topics or writers that I want to read about in the future, a short list of theological questions that I'll be taking to my priest and a great desire to continue reading. Highly recommended for that "first" book you pick up on Catholicism.

I picked this book up to learn more about Catholicism. This is truly a great book, it is so informative. Whether your Catholic or not you will learn a lot about a Religion that is so interesting and so ancient. If you are looking for one book all about Catholicism, let this book be the one.