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Catholicism for Dummies, Mini Edition

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Making Everything Easier

Pocket Edition

Catholicism for Dummies

Rev. John Trigilio, Jr., PhD, ThD

Rev. Kenneth Brighenti, PhD

Get the quick facts on Catholicism

This is your casual, down-to-earth introduction for non-Catholics and reintroduction for Catholics. Whether you're a Catholic or not, you may be totally clueless or just unaware of some aspects of Catholic traditions, history, doctrine, worship, devotion, or culture. If so, then this book is right for you

Open the book and find:

What it means to be a Catholic

Who's who in the Catholic hierarchy

How Catholics worship

The origins and importance of the Sacraments of Initiation

64 pages, ebook

First published December 7, 2010

91 people are currently reading
92 people want to read

About the author

John Trigilio Jr.

12 books5 followers
Father John Trigilio, Jr. is a native of Erie, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Gannon University in 1983 with a B.A. in Liberal Arts (concentration in Theology and Philosophy). After studying for the Diocese of Erie and then for the Diocese of Arlington, Father Trigilio joined the Diocese of Harrisburg where he was ordained in 1988 by William Cardinal Keeler. He completed his seminary training at Holy Apostles Seminary, Cromwell, CT and at Mary Immaculate Seminary, Northampton, PA. Fr. Trigilio is also a cooperator in the Personal Prelature of Opus Dei.

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5 stars
84 (44%)
4 stars
52 (27%)
3 stars
39 (20%)
2 stars
6 (3%)
1 star
6 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Profile Image for Doc Kinne.
238 reviews6 followers
June 24, 2013
I love the Dummies books. They're almost always a very good introduction to the topic.

In this case this was the mini-edition to Catholicism for Dummies so it was possible to go at it right through lunch. I was raised Catholic, so there was nothing new in the book for me, but its always nice to go through something like this and read it in the light of my other religious studies.
Profile Image for Patricia Wolverton.
92 reviews
November 28, 2019
The main thing about this production is that it's too short. A sort of teaser for the real production. Nevertheless it was interesting and well written. I am not Roman Catholic , but as a LCMS Lutheran, I found the Catholic church agreeable on most things but for the most part, sacraments we believe are 2or 3. The clergy and papal hierarchy. I like studying our common church history and would love to know more.
Profile Image for David Robert Bloomer.
167 reviews1 follower
February 1, 2018
That about wraps it up for god

As an atheist I wanted to learn about Catholicism in an easy and straightforward way. This book adequately does its job. So I know more about it and it still makes me wonder, why do people believe this stuff.
1 review
August 13, 2019
Helpful

This explained without bias. It helped me to recall what I leaned from growing up in a Catholic school and then compare it to what I learned in bible studies at non denominational church. It is good to read for Catholics coming back to church.
Profile Image for Donna Zigmont.
312 reviews7 followers
March 1, 2016
I read this book because I'm a Catholic. I found it interesting and very knowledgeable. Most people I know don't really find religion too exciting. in a way I agree but in another way I find it fascinating to learn. Granted Catholicism as a whole isn't for everyone. I know some who dislike it because it's not too modern. But you don't choose a religion due to its modernity. I've been a practicing Catholic my whole life and can't see myself ever becoming something else. But some choose to convert and I applaud them. This book as well as the full edition are great for those thinking of becoming Catholic.
24 reviews
January 24, 2016
Solid, concise read for anyone looking for some knowledge on Catholicism.

Good read that successfully attempts to provide simple explanations of Catholic ritual, dogma, and hierarchical structures. Being the mini edition, I was left wanting. However, learned a lot from a good quick read.
Profile Image for Rick Lee Lee James.
Author 1 book35 followers
February 16, 2016
This isn't a bad book in any way, just too limited. I thought I bought the full edition, but this mini edition leaves out many essentials of Catholicism, such as the divine nature of Jesus and who Jesus is. Pretty important stuff. I've now moved on to reading the full version. This is good for a quick reference but not good for learning the essentials of the faith.
Profile Image for Phyllis Neff.
18 reviews
April 13, 2015
Short and sweet

Deals with differences and uniqueness of Catholic Church. Iff you want more details about xstianity. Read the bible for dummies and the historical Jesus for dummies. About the church? Baltimore catechism.
3 reviews
May 29, 2015
Review

I thought it was a good book. It was very informative. I thought it broaden my understanding of Catholicism. I would recommend this book for people who do not know their catholic faith.
Profile Image for Mark.
318 reviews
September 13, 2015
It actually makes me doubt my interest in going through RCIA. I want to go through it to learn more about the Catholicism that my siblings grew up in, but I didn't because of a remarriage. To me, it is of cultural relevance, but not spiritual.
Profile Image for Brandy Ann.
8 reviews1 follower
April 12, 2011
Gave a quick refresher course on a lot of things I had forgotten.
Profile Image for Becky.
65 reviews
July 27, 2012
This is a great introduction to Catholicism! It's a very easy, organized and fast read. For a more in depth study I recommend reading the Catholic Doctrine.
Profile Image for Michael.
250 reviews5 followers
April 28, 2012
Very informative. Brought back a lot of what I had forgotten over the years.
1 review
March 11, 2014
I get it!

I get it!

things I forgot were remembered and things made clearer ...I am a Catholic but never understood some of the mass.now ,I do....

2 reviews
April 13, 2014
As a Catholic...

as a Catholic this was very interesting to me and enlightening. it's always nice to revisit the learning of your faith.
Profile Image for Nicholas Bacon.
4 reviews
March 3, 2015
Good Brief Introduction

Immaculate conception, I completely misunderstood this concept my entire life, but now it's crystal clear to me. Which only leads me to want to read more.
Profile Image for Melissa Ward.
58 reviews6 followers
October 16, 2015
Informative

It made it easy to read and understand. I like the tidbits and helpful hints. I thought it was so useful that I may get the non mini version.
210 reviews1 follower
January 23, 2016
Silly

This book was silly in parts and I don't think a book describing the catholic church and it's practices to non Catholics should be at all comical.
487 reviews
January 19, 2017
I listened to the audio version and it was only about 3'hours long so I'll assume it was the mini version. I found it quite interesting and discovered there was a lot I had no knowledge of.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews

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