Exploring the Catholic Church: An Introduction to Catholic Teaching and Practice

by Marcellino D'Ambrosio

Dr. Marcellino D'Ambrosio, one of the Church's best popular teachers, gives readable and inspiring explanations of Catholic teaching and practice. Exploring the Catholic Church is the perfect starter book for seekers and inquirers, for candidates in the RCIA, and for Catholics who just want to refresh their faith and practice. A Servant Book.

Genres: Christianity

170 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2001

About the author

Raised in Italian/Irish neighborhood in Providence, RI, Marcellino D’Ambrosio never thought about being anything else but Catholic. But like other Catholic teens, his faith was the last place he looked for fulfillment. Following in the footsteps of his parents, both professional performers in their single years, Marcellino set his sights on stardom, playing bass guitar in several popular rock bands by the time he was 16. At that time he encountered a group of Catholics whose Christian life was an exciting adventure, an adventure worth living for. So he laid his bass guitar aside and embarked on a road that led to a Ph.D. in historical theology from the Catholic University of America. His doctoral dissertation, written under the direction of the renowned Jesuit theologian, Avery Cardinal Dulles, focused on one of the theological lights of the Second Vatican Council, Henri Cardinal de Lubac, and his recovery of biblical interpretation of the Early Church fathers.

Though a specialist in the interpretation of scripture and tradition, Dr. D’Ambrosio’s teaching has covered a broad range of subjects from historical, dogmatic, and sacramental theology to evangelization, ecumenism, and Vatican II. Yet throughout his academic career, Dr. D’Ambrosio always remained deeply involved in pastoral work, especially teen evangelization and Hispanic ministry, assuring that his teaching remained relevant to the challenges of everyday life.

Dr. D’Ambrosio, the father of five and a business owner, brings to his teaching a practical, down-to-earth perspective that makes his words easy to understand and put into practice. Audio and video recordings of his popular teaching are internationally distributed. He often appears on the international Eternal Word Television Network is regularly heard on nationally syndicated radio shows such as "Catholic Answers Live." Dr. D'Ambrosio has been repeatedly called upon to serve as an expert commentator on religious and moral issues for Fox News Geraldo Rivera, At Large and Bill O'Reilly's radio show.

In 2001 Dr. D’Ambrosio left his position at the University of Dallas to develop the work of Crossroads Productions, the apostolate of Catholic renewal and evangelization that he co-founded twenty years ago, and to more directly oversee the growth of Wellness Opportunities Group a company dedicated to helping people improve the quality of their lives physically, mentally, and financially. He, his wife Susan, and their five children, reside just outside of Dallas, TX.

Reviews

[Harm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Geweldige uitleg over de belangrijkste katholieke geloofspunten. Vooral het belang van de Doop, het Vormsel en de Eucharistie, hoe te bidden en de Mis juist te beleven, hoe te dealen met zonde en het waarom van Maria- en heiligenverering worden goed uitgelegd.

[Alex Boshart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Born and raised with a Protestant upbringing, I have found ‘Exploring the Catholic Church’ to be an exceptional guide that has deepened my understanding of the profound Catholic Truths that are so often misunderstood. Displayed in a readable manner, Dr. D’Ambrosio keeps the reader captivated with practical suggestions of how to apply and restore Catholic Tradition to our lives. It has become a source that I frequently refer to when discussing questions from my family and friends and I look forward to reading more of his books!