Ten Dates Every Catholic Should Know

by Diane Moczar

Here are the saints and sinners, popes and kings that God used to shape his Church and change the world. You’ll meet Clovis and Charlemagne, Luther and Pope Leo, Suleiman and St. Francis, the Arians, the Franks, the Huguenots, and others whose sins or sacrifices altered the course of history. Here, too, are the wars and plagues, the ideas and institutions -- and, yes, the miracles — that gave birth to our Christian civilization and often threatened to doom it. Experience the battles of Tours and Lepanto, the Crusades, the Russian Revolution, and Fatima, the miracle that foretold (and offered a way to prevent) the conflicts that killed millions in the twentieth century. Wars and terrorism have rendered the first years of our new century no less bloody. Has God now abandoned us? Ten Dates Every Catholic Should Know finds the answer in from the first days of the Christian era, at key moments when civilization hung in the balance, God has intervened — sometimes subtly, sometimes dramatically — but ever and always he has come forward himself or given strength to those who were faithful to him. Consider, for •Constantine, the pagan general who, in a desperate hour, saw a vision that made him a Christian and led to the conversion of the entire Roman Empire•Pope St. Leo, who confronted Attila the Hun face-to-face and, without sword or dagger, turned back this “Scourge of God” and all his murderous hordes•The surprising victories of the outgunned armies that thrust back the Moors, the Turks, and the barbarians — just when Christendom faced annihilation • St. Genevieve, Pepin the Short, Pope St. Pius V, St. Margaret Mary, and countless others who, in crucial moments, were called by God to save his people and give new life to our culture and his Church.Ten Dates Every Catholic Should Know is essential reading for any Catholic who wants to understand the history of our Faith. But it will give you more than you’ll close this book with renewed confidence that no matter how dark and dangerous the times may be, God has never abandoned his people . . . and never will.

Genres: Catholic, History, Nonfiction, Christianity, Religion, Church History

177 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 1, 2006

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The word I would use to describe this book is quirky. Moczar selects ten events she views as having a significant effect on both Christendom and the larger world.

Moczar espouses that God is directly involved in these events as either a protagonist or antagonist there to chastise or divinely surprise the world and the Catholic Church. God appears in dreams and visions, through the apparitions of his Mother Mary, and through select saints and defenders of the church.

I disagree with Moczar’s views on the Russian Revolution and the earlier French Revolution to name just two of her significant dates. It seems very difficult to view Louis XIV as being good and generous to the French population. One just need stand inside Versailles to see Louis XIV’s value system on display. And Moczar concludes that Louis XIV brought about God’s wrath by personally dismissing God.

I will give Moczar credit for being thought provoking. History is so often dependent on the very perceptions of those who record it for all the world.

[Stephen Z. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a wonderfully easy read, for a history book, that brought to my attention a great many of the flaws in the arguments that my history teachers (usually the G.A.'s) made in my history classes. It was nice to read a book that was not overburdened with footnotes, and even though I am a historian by training, sometimes I want to just read about history like I did in my youth, before APA citations took over my life.

This book does a great job of combining historical interpretations with theological interpretations of historical events. I believe that this faith filled review of history helps us to see events in a more well-rounded light. The book does an especially great job of covering the philosophy of our understanding of events.

This book is one that every Catholic should read to re-inspire our faith in God working in the world. Academics always say the revisionist histories, like "A People's History," should be read, but I think this is a book that would cleanse the pallet of any student of history. Home schools should incorporate this book into their history lessons.

Taken from ourladyandsheen.wordpress.com

[Ted Hinkle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author, Diane Moczar provides an indepth study of theological periods in history that have profound impact on Catholicism. TEN DATES EVERY CATHOLIC SHOULD KNOW is enlightening and educational. I happened upon a copy in our parish library at St Alphonsus Liguori Catholic Church, Zionsville IN.

[Bernie Tomasso · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you attended Catholic school, you knew most of the information but the author ties each event to the next nicely to give a sense of how one event in Church history led to another.

[Tiago Rincaweski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Livro introdutório sobre a história de Igreja, contada a partir de 10 datas marcantes. Bem escrito e de fácil leitura.

[Amy Barnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far the best historical Catholic book I’ve ever read!!!

[Julian Abagond · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tihs is actually a history of the Catholic Church. The ten dates are just pegs to hang it on. Not the best framework, but okay.

[Joanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is not for everyone. That said, if you are Catholic and/or interested in world history, it is a fabulous read. Diane Moczar his a wonderful historian, and her Catholicity clearly informs her view that the hand of God was present in many historic events from the Edict of Milan to the conversion of Constantine to the Protestant Catastrophe to the appearance of Our Lady of the Rosary at Fatima. Moczar does an amazing job of distilling major events in world history (while also debunking some commonly-held myths related to those events) so that the reader gets a fresh perspective on those times while also gaining of understanding of how they affected Catholic Church history. I loved this book!

[Kevhumphreys · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unashamedly Catholic view of Church history written in an easy to read style. She has a way of making the historical characters interesting ( unlike some histories that only present boring facts)
She sees the Church as very much involved in bringing salvation to the world. This is very evident in the section on Mary and Fatima.
Her warnings about radical Islam are prophetic

[Nana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful

[Todd Stillwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

takes one thru the ages of Catholic histories touching on the most important dates through the ages.