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Essential Catholic Handbook: Fully Indexed to the Catechism of the Catholic Church
In the hardbound, trade edition of this guide--first published in 1978--readers will find a presentation of the essential Catholic beliefs, prayers, and prectices. Now fully indexed to the new Catechism of the Catholic Church, this book is written in easy-to-understand language and suggests way in which readers can integrate the Catholic faith in their lives. Includes a discussion of post-Vatican II Catholicism.
191 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 1994
6 people want to read
About the author
John Joseph O'Connor
14 booksCardinal John Joseph O'Connor
~ Rear Admiral, veteran of the Korean War and US Navy Chief of Chaplains
~ Roman Catholic Archbishop of the Diocese of New York
Graduate of Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary and ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on 15 December 1945
Joined the US Navy as a chaplain and duly commissioned; active in war zones in 1952 during the Korean War
Given the honorific title Monsignor on 27 October 1966
Earned a PhD in Political Science from Georgetown University in 1970
Appointed an Auxiliary Bishop of the US Archdiocese for Military Services by Pope John Paul II on 24 April 1979
Elevated to Bishop by Pope John Paul II on 27 May 1979
Appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Scranton, Pennsylvania by Pope John Paul II on 6 May 1983
Appointed Archbishop of the Diocese of New York by Pope John Paul II on 26 January 1984
Elevated to Cardinal-Priest by Pope John Paul II on 25 May 1985
Posthumous recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal, awarded by the United States Senate on 7 March 2000
Posthumous recipient of the Jackie Robinson Empire State Medal of Freedom, awarded by Governor George Pataki on 21 December 2000
~ Rear Admiral, veteran of the Korean War and US Navy Chief of Chaplains
~ Roman Catholic Archbishop of the Diocese of New York
Graduate of Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary and ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia on 15 December 1945
Joined the US Navy as a chaplain and duly commissioned; active in war zones in 1952 during the Korean War
Given the honorific title Monsignor on 27 October 1966
Earned a PhD in Political Science from Georgetown University in 1970
Appointed an Auxiliary Bishop of the US Archdiocese for Military Services by Pope John Paul II on 24 April 1979
Elevated to Bishop by Pope John Paul II on 27 May 1979
Appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Scranton, Pennsylvania by Pope John Paul II on 6 May 1983
Appointed Archbishop of the Diocese of New York by Pope John Paul II on 26 January 1984
Elevated to Cardinal-Priest by Pope John Paul II on 25 May 1985
Posthumous recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal, awarded by the United States Senate on 7 March 2000
Posthumous recipient of the Jackie Robinson Empire State Medal of Freedom, awarded by Governor George Pataki on 21 December 2000
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 18, 2024
A USEFUL REFERENCE WORK ABOUT BASIC CATHOLIC TEACHING
The Preface explains, “This book first appeared in 1978 as the ‘Handbook for Today’s Catholic.’ In 1991, it was revised and expanded… This [1994] edition of the Handbook appears once again not only as a presentation of the most basic Catholic beliefs, practices, and prayers but also as a premiere edition that is fully indexed to the new ‘Catechism of the Catholic Church’… The Catechism is the official documentation of the truths that Catholics believe…” (Pg. 17)
It adds in the Introduction, “To be truly Catholic is to live according to the spirit and attitude launched by the Second Vatican Council… To integrate the revered teachings of the past with the changes of modern times is the challenge Catholics face today… The basic purpose of this Handbook is to provide information on the essentials of Catholicism and to enlighten all who wish to live out the teachings of Vatican II.” (Pg. 19-20)
It notes, “The Spirit is not only intimately present within you… If you attune yourself to his silent promptings, then the gifts of the Holy Spirit become experienced realities in your life… The gifts of the first kind are intended for sanctification of the person who receives them… A second kind of gifts of the Spirit are called charisms. They are extraordinary favors granted principally for the help of others. In 1 Corinthians 12:6-11, nine charisms are mentioned. They are the gifts of speaking with wisdom speaking with knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, tongues, and interpreting speeches…” (Pg. 37-38)
It says, “In the plan that God has for the human race, the Church is THE sacrament, THE primary visible instrument, through which the Spirit is bringing about the total oneness that lies in store for us all. This process of salvation, however, is a divine-human venture. We all have a part in it. Our cooperation with the Spirit consists of becoming a Church that sees Christ in others, so that others see Christ in us.” (Pg. 45-46)
It explains, “As a visible society, the Catholic Church is unique. Other Christian churches possess some of the same basic characteristics in common with it, such as the gifts of ‘one Lord one faith, one baptism’ … Furthermore---and this is a decisive point regarding the uniqueness of the Catholic Church---the Second Vatican Council states that ‘this Church, constituted and organized as a society in the present world, subsists in the Catholic Church…’ … This key statement teaches that the basic fulness of the Church, the vital source of complete Christian unity in the future, is found uniquely in the visible Catholic Church.” (Pg. 48-49)
Of Mary, it states, “Mary is an entirely unique person… she was conceived as a human being (and lived her whole life) exempt from any trace of original sin. This is called her Immaculate Conception… Before, during and after the birth of her son, Mary remained physically a virgin… At the end of her life, Mary was assumed… body and soul into heaven. This is called her Assumption… Mary is also the Mother of the whole Church… The Church also honors the other saints who are already with the Lord in heaven. These are people who have served God … in so outstanding a way that… the Church has officially declared that they are in heaven… and encourages us to pray to them, asking their intercession with God for us all.” (Pg. 51-52)
It says, “In serious illness you experience mortality… there is something especially sacramental about the condition you are in. And so there is a formal sacrament for this sacramental situation: anointing of the sick… You need not be on the verge of dying to receive this sacrament… the anointing and the prayers that accompany it have as a purpose the restoration of health.” (Pg. 68-69)
It asserts, “God, who is infinite love and mercy, is also infinite justice… Because of God’s justice, as well as his total respect for human freedom, hell is a real possibility as a person’s eternal destiny. This side of God’s mystery is difficult for us to grasp. But Christ himself taught it, and so does the Church… You are free, radically free, to choose the inexpressible pain of his absence.” (Pg 77-78)
It explains, “Catholics believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God written in the words of human authors who, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, selected a literary form, style, and genre that effectively conveyed the experience of the Lord. These ancient writers were more concerned with the meanings of events than with exact details: the WHY rather than the WHAT.” (Pg. 126-127)
It suggests, “How can you deal with overzealous fundamentalists? First, be confident and familiar with your own faith so you will not feel threatened by other interpretations… A response such as ‘I understand what you are saying, but I don’t see it that way’ is amicably assertive, yet preserves your right to your own viewpoint. If the person persists … be friendly yet form. Don’t attempt to counter the fundamentalist’s Bible quotes with your own. Catholics can well imitate and admire the zeal of fundamentalist friends but not their methods or opinions.” (Pg. 127-128)
It says, “Although women’s participation in some areas needs fuller recognition, in the past twenty-five years women have become more actively involved in ministry and pastoral service. Women are becoming increasingly visible as readers, eucharistic ministers, and leaders of music… Women serve as pastoral minsters, counselors, hospital chaplains, spiritual directors, and in other ministries not generally open to the laity before Vatican II… we can expect to see women’s leadership roles in Church ministry increase even more in the future.” (Pg. 139-140)
It explains, “After a couple separates, civil divorce is often required for legal purposes. This civil divorce does not constitute an impediment to the sacraments for the Catholic party. One cannot receive the sacraments if one enters into another marriage while the previous bond still exists. I, after much investigation and discussion, it is proven that the parties were not maturely or morally responsible and a true marriage bond never existed, an annulment is granted. An annulment is not a divorce.” (Pg. 144-145)
It points out, “In our age of increased global awareness, cultural mingling, and media coverage, religious pluralism is an obvious fact. Vatican II recognized the vast arrant of religious expressions n the world … Catholics are to respect, preserve and promote the spiritual and moral god found in all religions as well as the values in their societies and culture. Special mention is made of out indebtedness to the Jewish faith… It recognizes, too, that other Christian bodies, as the ‘Church of Christ,’ contain certain aspects of the faith…” (Pg 157-158)
This book will be a very helpful summary and reference works for most Catholics.
The Preface explains, “This book first appeared in 1978 as the ‘Handbook for Today’s Catholic.’ In 1991, it was revised and expanded… This [1994] edition of the Handbook appears once again not only as a presentation of the most basic Catholic beliefs, practices, and prayers but also as a premiere edition that is fully indexed to the new ‘Catechism of the Catholic Church’… The Catechism is the official documentation of the truths that Catholics believe…” (Pg. 17)
It adds in the Introduction, “To be truly Catholic is to live according to the spirit and attitude launched by the Second Vatican Council… To integrate the revered teachings of the past with the changes of modern times is the challenge Catholics face today… The basic purpose of this Handbook is to provide information on the essentials of Catholicism and to enlighten all who wish to live out the teachings of Vatican II.” (Pg. 19-20)
It notes, “The Spirit is not only intimately present within you… If you attune yourself to his silent promptings, then the gifts of the Holy Spirit become experienced realities in your life… The gifts of the first kind are intended for sanctification of the person who receives them… A second kind of gifts of the Spirit are called charisms. They are extraordinary favors granted principally for the help of others. In 1 Corinthians 12:6-11, nine charisms are mentioned. They are the gifts of speaking with wisdom speaking with knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, tongues, and interpreting speeches…” (Pg. 37-38)
It says, “In the plan that God has for the human race, the Church is THE sacrament, THE primary visible instrument, through which the Spirit is bringing about the total oneness that lies in store for us all. This process of salvation, however, is a divine-human venture. We all have a part in it. Our cooperation with the Spirit consists of becoming a Church that sees Christ in others, so that others see Christ in us.” (Pg. 45-46)
It explains, “As a visible society, the Catholic Church is unique. Other Christian churches possess some of the same basic characteristics in common with it, such as the gifts of ‘one Lord one faith, one baptism’ … Furthermore---and this is a decisive point regarding the uniqueness of the Catholic Church---the Second Vatican Council states that ‘this Church, constituted and organized as a society in the present world, subsists in the Catholic Church…’ … This key statement teaches that the basic fulness of the Church, the vital source of complete Christian unity in the future, is found uniquely in the visible Catholic Church.” (Pg. 48-49)
Of Mary, it states, “Mary is an entirely unique person… she was conceived as a human being (and lived her whole life) exempt from any trace of original sin. This is called her Immaculate Conception… Before, during and after the birth of her son, Mary remained physically a virgin… At the end of her life, Mary was assumed… body and soul into heaven. This is called her Assumption… Mary is also the Mother of the whole Church… The Church also honors the other saints who are already with the Lord in heaven. These are people who have served God … in so outstanding a way that… the Church has officially declared that they are in heaven… and encourages us to pray to them, asking their intercession with God for us all.” (Pg. 51-52)
It says, “In serious illness you experience mortality… there is something especially sacramental about the condition you are in. And so there is a formal sacrament for this sacramental situation: anointing of the sick… You need not be on the verge of dying to receive this sacrament… the anointing and the prayers that accompany it have as a purpose the restoration of health.” (Pg. 68-69)
It asserts, “God, who is infinite love and mercy, is also infinite justice… Because of God’s justice, as well as his total respect for human freedom, hell is a real possibility as a person’s eternal destiny. This side of God’s mystery is difficult for us to grasp. But Christ himself taught it, and so does the Church… You are free, radically free, to choose the inexpressible pain of his absence.” (Pg 77-78)
It explains, “Catholics believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God written in the words of human authors who, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, selected a literary form, style, and genre that effectively conveyed the experience of the Lord. These ancient writers were more concerned with the meanings of events than with exact details: the WHY rather than the WHAT.” (Pg. 126-127)
It suggests, “How can you deal with overzealous fundamentalists? First, be confident and familiar with your own faith so you will not feel threatened by other interpretations… A response such as ‘I understand what you are saying, but I don’t see it that way’ is amicably assertive, yet preserves your right to your own viewpoint. If the person persists … be friendly yet form. Don’t attempt to counter the fundamentalist’s Bible quotes with your own. Catholics can well imitate and admire the zeal of fundamentalist friends but not their methods or opinions.” (Pg. 127-128)
It says, “Although women’s participation in some areas needs fuller recognition, in the past twenty-five years women have become more actively involved in ministry and pastoral service. Women are becoming increasingly visible as readers, eucharistic ministers, and leaders of music… Women serve as pastoral minsters, counselors, hospital chaplains, spiritual directors, and in other ministries not generally open to the laity before Vatican II… we can expect to see women’s leadership roles in Church ministry increase even more in the future.” (Pg. 139-140)
It explains, “After a couple separates, civil divorce is often required for legal purposes. This civil divorce does not constitute an impediment to the sacraments for the Catholic party. One cannot receive the sacraments if one enters into another marriage while the previous bond still exists. I, after much investigation and discussion, it is proven that the parties were not maturely or morally responsible and a true marriage bond never existed, an annulment is granted. An annulment is not a divorce.” (Pg. 144-145)
It points out, “In our age of increased global awareness, cultural mingling, and media coverage, religious pluralism is an obvious fact. Vatican II recognized the vast arrant of religious expressions n the world … Catholics are to respect, preserve and promote the spiritual and moral god found in all religions as well as the values in their societies and culture. Special mention is made of out indebtedness to the Jewish faith… It recognizes, too, that other Christian bodies, as the ‘Church of Christ,’ contain certain aspects of the faith…” (Pg 157-158)
This book will be a very helpful summary and reference works for most Catholics.
December 26, 2014
A handy and concise reference guide on the beliefs, practices, prayers, and living the faith of the Catholic Church.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews