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Catholic Dictionary: An Abridged and Updated Edition of Modern Catholic Dictionary
John Hardon's comprehensive, one-volume work of reference defining the key
terms of Catholicism; updated to include the most recent developments in the
Catholic Church.
Clear, concise, and faithful, with over 2,000 entries, Catholic Dictionary is the essential Catholic lexicon in the areas of faith, worship, morals, history, theology, and spirituality. Now revised to include the statements of Pope Benedict XVI and Pope John Paul II, new movements and devotions, and other recent developments within Catholicism, this edition brings the legacy of Father Hardon into the contemporary era. A worthy companion to Catechism of the Catholic Church and Scott Hahn's Catholic Bible Dictionary, this book is an essential resource for the Catholic reader.
terms of Catholicism; updated to include the most recent developments in the
Catholic Church.
Clear, concise, and faithful, with over 2,000 entries, Catholic Dictionary is the essential Catholic lexicon in the areas of faith, worship, morals, history, theology, and spirituality. Now revised to include the statements of Pope Benedict XVI and Pope John Paul II, new movements and devotions, and other recent developments within Catholicism, this edition brings the legacy of Father Hardon into the contemporary era. A worthy companion to Catechism of the Catholic Church and Scott Hahn's Catholic Bible Dictionary, this book is an essential resource for the Catholic reader.
576 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
63 people are currently reading
223 people want to read
About the author
John A. Hardon
74 books22 followersServant of God John Anthony Hardon received a bachelor of arts degree from John Carroll University in 1936. He entered the Jesuit novitiate in the same year, and received a Masters degree from Loyola in 1941, during his formation.
He was ordained on June 18, 1947 and then sent for doctoral studies To the pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. He received his doctorate in sacred theology in 1951.
He professed final vows as a Jesuit on February 2, 1953. He was already serving as a professor, teaching from 1951 to 1990. Father Hardon continued to teach after that time, including distance education courses in print and by teleconference.
His Catholic Catechism was written at the request of Pope Paul VI, and he consulted on the Catechism of the Catholic Church which was promulgated by Pope John Paul II. He was selected to write the catechetical training program for Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity, and that work became the foundation of the Marian Catechists apostolate.
He received the Papal Medal in 1951, a Catholic press Association award in 1973, the Cardinal Wright award from the Fellowship of Catholic Scholars in 1984, and the Maximilian Kolbe Award in Mariology in 1990.
His cause for beatification and canonization is currently open.
He was ordained on June 18, 1947 and then sent for doctoral studies To the pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. He received his doctorate in sacred theology in 1951.
He professed final vows as a Jesuit on February 2, 1953. He was already serving as a professor, teaching from 1951 to 1990. Father Hardon continued to teach after that time, including distance education courses in print and by teleconference.
His Catholic Catechism was written at the request of Pope Paul VI, and he consulted on the Catechism of the Catholic Church which was promulgated by Pope John Paul II. He was selected to write the catechetical training program for Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity, and that work became the foundation of the Marian Catechists apostolate.
He received the Papal Medal in 1951, a Catholic press Association award in 1973, the Cardinal Wright award from the Fellowship of Catholic Scholars in 1984, and the Maximilian Kolbe Award in Mariology in 1990.
His cause for beatification and canonization is currently open.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 15, 2013
There are some books that you read once and then you place on your shelf to add to your collection. Other books, however, manage to land a coveted spot on your desk to be used for reference and will eventually need to be replaced because it has been used so frequently. The book I am reviewing today, Catholic Dictionary, falls into the latter category. I didn't read it cover to cover, and frankly I don't know many people who would do that with a dictionary. I did use it as a reference though, and I would like to provide you with a brief review of this work.
At over 500 pages, the Catholic Dictionary is an abridged and updated version of Fr. Hardon's "Modern Catholic Dictionary." Entries vary in length and cover topics from Aaron to Zephaniah. Don't let the bookending entries fool you though. This dictionary covers more than the Bible. It deals with all things Catholic, including Scripture, Tradition, history, doctrine, prayers, and devotions. With over 2,000 entries, if there is something Catholic you need to define, this book is the resource to turn to.
My favorite entries were the lists that included Scriptural references. There was a list of Jesus' miracles, filed under "Miracles of Christ" for those looking to locate it in the dictionary. In this entry, Fr. Hardon divides Jesus' miracles into five categories - Nature Miracles, Miracles of Healing, Deliverance of Demoniacs, Victories over Hostile Wills, and Cases of Resurrection. In addition to providing a list of each type of miracle and where you can find it in the Bible, he also gives a brief definition on each type of miracle. There are other definition lists like this in the Catholic Dictionary, such as "Christ, New Testament Names and Titles." Picking any one of these lists would make an excellent starting point to do your own study and learn more about Jesus.
This is a great Catholic reference book that you should have in your library. It is scholarly but manages to be both clear and concise as well. If I had one gripe to make about it, it would be that the binding is paperback. I feel that reference books should always be hardcover. Since these types of books get frequent use, hardcover seems to better stand the test of time. I won't dock a full star for that complaint alone, so that still makes this a 5 star book. If you are looking to compile a Catholic reference library, this is a good starting point. You can then pair it with a Catechism, Catholic Bible Encyclopedia, and a Catholic Bible Concordance as well!
At over 500 pages, the Catholic Dictionary is an abridged and updated version of Fr. Hardon's "Modern Catholic Dictionary." Entries vary in length and cover topics from Aaron to Zephaniah. Don't let the bookending entries fool you though. This dictionary covers more than the Bible. It deals with all things Catholic, including Scripture, Tradition, history, doctrine, prayers, and devotions. With over 2,000 entries, if there is something Catholic you need to define, this book is the resource to turn to.
My favorite entries were the lists that included Scriptural references. There was a list of Jesus' miracles, filed under "Miracles of Christ" for those looking to locate it in the dictionary. In this entry, Fr. Hardon divides Jesus' miracles into five categories - Nature Miracles, Miracles of Healing, Deliverance of Demoniacs, Victories over Hostile Wills, and Cases of Resurrection. In addition to providing a list of each type of miracle and where you can find it in the Bible, he also gives a brief definition on each type of miracle. There are other definition lists like this in the Catholic Dictionary, such as "Christ, New Testament Names and Titles." Picking any one of these lists would make an excellent starting point to do your own study and learn more about Jesus.
This is a great Catholic reference book that you should have in your library. It is scholarly but manages to be both clear and concise as well. If I had one gripe to make about it, it would be that the binding is paperback. I feel that reference books should always be hardcover. Since these types of books get frequent use, hardcover seems to better stand the test of time. I won't dock a full star for that complaint alone, so that still makes this a 5 star book. If you are looking to compile a Catholic reference library, this is a good starting point. You can then pair it with a Catechism, Catholic Bible Encyclopedia, and a Catholic Bible Concordance as well!
August 11, 2013
Although I did not read the original Catholic dictionary published in the 80s, I thought this was a very informative explanation, or rather a dictionary on terms related to the Catholic religion. The very beginning gives us a guide on how to use the dictionary.
The terms defined include more than just definitions of words commonly seen in the catholic religion, but also of people, or translated words. For example, in the very beginning we see Abba which the book tells us is defined as Father and they also give how it is used in the bible. We are also given the definition to periods in live such as adolescence. We are given definitions to the names of sins as well as what contributes to our sins.
There are terms discussed that are opposed by the church, such as cremation. It also tells us things that the church considers to be wrong. For example, the church considers seeing a fortune teller to be extremely wrong. We also given terms of places spoke about in the bible. We are told about different things used in the church such as holy water, which also goes to sort of tell about baptismal holy water. Different aspects of sexual desire, sexuality and adultery are spoken of in detail. In addition to all of this, we are also told of feelings and what parts of the religion can make us feel this way. We are given the definition of offering such as a vow offering. We are told of the different people mentioned in the bible right down to Lucifer.
I really love the way this dictionary is broken down. It gives very descriptive details about several different terms, places, ideas, people, and ways of life as well as the churches position on it. There are even in some instances where we are told the point of view from other religions. We are told how things work, how to do things, when they are supposed to be done. When trying to decipher the catholic religion and you are uncertain about something this is an EXCELLENT referral.
I highly recommend this book for everyone in the catholic religion or anyone interested in the religion. There are words that are associated with all religions in here as well. Go out and get it!!!
xoxo, Jade
The terms defined include more than just definitions of words commonly seen in the catholic religion, but also of people, or translated words. For example, in the very beginning we see Abba which the book tells us is defined as Father and they also give how it is used in the bible. We are also given the definition to periods in live such as adolescence. We are given definitions to the names of sins as well as what contributes to our sins.
There are terms discussed that are opposed by the church, such as cremation. It also tells us things that the church considers to be wrong. For example, the church considers seeing a fortune teller to be extremely wrong. We also given terms of places spoke about in the bible. We are told about different things used in the church such as holy water, which also goes to sort of tell about baptismal holy water. Different aspects of sexual desire, sexuality and adultery are spoken of in detail. In addition to all of this, we are also told of feelings and what parts of the religion can make us feel this way. We are given the definition of offering such as a vow offering. We are told of the different people mentioned in the bible right down to Lucifer.
I really love the way this dictionary is broken down. It gives very descriptive details about several different terms, places, ideas, people, and ways of life as well as the churches position on it. There are even in some instances where we are told the point of view from other religions. We are told how things work, how to do things, when they are supposed to be done. When trying to decipher the catholic religion and you are uncertain about something this is an EXCELLENT referral.
I highly recommend this book for everyone in the catholic religion or anyone interested in the religion. There are words that are associated with all religions in here as well. Go out and get it!!!
xoxo, Jade
June 26, 2013
Goodreads win which did not influence my review. Will take time to completely read but feel of great value to anyone interested in learning more about Catholic religion. If any change in opinion will post after complete.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews