A Pair of Books that Show Catholicism's Ins, Outs, and Influence

Barb Szyszkiewicz reviews two new books designed to help readers of all ages understand and appreciate the Catholic faith.

While I'm not sure these books were intended to be a series, they go together amazingly well and, together, provide a refresher course on Catholic doctrine, traditions, and beliefs as well as a look at the ways Catholicism has shaped our lives without our even realizing it. They're fascinating to pick up and browse through; while not as large as coffee-table books, these are excellent books to leave around for your kids, visitors, or yourself to explore.

Either or both of these books would make perfect gifts for Confirmation, for someone who has recently joined the Church or completed their sacraments, or for a man beginning formation for the permanent diaconate.

All Things Catholic: A Guide from A to Z

by Shawn McAfee
Sophia Institute Press

All Things Catholic is organized encyclopedia-style, with alphabetized entries for an extremely easy-to-use research experience. There's also a table of contents that lists each entry (this might be overkill in a book already organized alphabetically, but it does let you see at a glance whether the term you're looking up has an entry). If you have a question about the Church, this is a great place to get started.

Most entries are at least a half page in length, which is enough to easily satisfy most general queries. Some of them include a "Further reading" section listing more in-depth sources including books and papal encyclicals. Small illustrations, often photographs of sacred art, portraits of historical figures and saints, or simple line drawings, complement many of the entries in this book.

My favorite part of All Things Catholic is the occasional "Catholic Tip," set off in a box from the rest of the text. These tips are usually written informally, offering real-life examples of some of the information included in this book. Some of the "Catholic Tips" provide explanations on how to pray the Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet, as well. 

Catholicism Everywhere: From Hail Mary Passes to Cappuccinos, How the Catholic Faith Is Infused in Culture

by Helen Hoffner
Sophia Institute Press

This book covers all the things you never knew were Catholic — as well as plenty of Catholic things you didn't realize were so fascinating! I didn't have to read more than 20 pages before I found a location mentioned that was very familiar to me: a shrine at a parish church in a town near where I grew up. A few pages later, I learned that the inventor of the first modern submarine (launched in the Passaic River, also near my hometown) had been a Christian Brother — the same religious order that founded and still ministers at the university all my children attended. I loved making these connections as I read Catholicism Everywhere. 

Chapters in this book include:

• The Catholic Calendar
• Health Care
• Catholics on the Road
• Catholics at Sea
• Traveling the Skies
• Catholic Education
• Catholic Fashion
• Food, Fasting, and Faith
• Television and Radio: Broadcasting the Faith
• Science and Catholicism
• Weather from a Catholic Perspective
• God's Creatures Great and Small
• Catholicism in the Garden
• Sports and Recreation: The Catholic Influence
• Expressing Faith through the Arts
• Catholic Weddings
• Catholics in the Military
• Catholic Organizations
• The Catholic Roots of Common Expressions

Catholicism Everywhere is a lot of fun; it explores how Catholicism has influenced so many aspects of our lives without our even realizing it. Did you know about LeBron James's Catholic-school legacy? How about the name of the patron saint of pierogi? You'll learn about the priest who created the Big Bang Theory (not the TV show), and that we can still invoke the intercession of Saint Christopher before we head out on a journey.

A glossary and a brief Frequently Asked Questions section complete this book.

Would you'd like to read these books? Share your thoughts with the Catholic Mom community! You'll find the comment box below the author's bio and list of recommended articles.

Copyright 2024 Barb Szyszkiewicz
Images: Canva
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