Pocket Catholic Dictionary

Rating:
Summary: The Fullness of Catholic Teaching
Review: As in his many other works, the late Father Hardon did not hesitate to present Catholic teaching in its entirety. The pressures of cultural correctness did not keep him from presenting the whole truth of Catholic teaching. Unlike other writers, he did not engage in artful ambiguity about some of the teachings of the Church.

In the Pocket Catholic Dictionary, he manages to provide insights in a small abridged dictionary that others can't or won't communicate in much larger works. One example from my own research will illustrate the value of Fr. Hardon's pocket dictionary as a jumping off point for further research.

In researching the canon law issue of whether contraceptive intercourse was sufficient to consummate a marriage, I found several specialized reference sources and commentaries full of ambiguity and even one that was ideologically slanted in its presentation. For Catholics, this particular issue of canon law is important because a marriage becomes indissoluble only after consummation. One of the few sources that addressed the issue forthrightly was Fr. Hardon's Pocket Dictionary and related works, while other lengthy reference works specializing in canon law were of no help. Without mincing words, Fr. Hardon states in his definition of "Consummated Marriage" that "contraceptive intercourse does not consummate Christian marriage."

Thus, on an issue of great importance to Catholics, this small pocket dictionary opened up an avenue for further research where larger and more specialized works failed to enlighten. I am sure there are other issues out there for which Fr. Hardon's Pocket Catholic Dictionary would turn out to be a good and reliable starting point.

Rating:
Summary: Handy reference
Review: I've used this book so much, I've worn the covers off. It has more detailed information than one might expect from a pocket dictionary. I recommend this book to anyone, but especially to those who are just learning about Catholicism.

Rating:
Summary: A Complete Catholic Resource
Review: This book is an incredible tool. As a Catholic, with thousands of questions, this book has thousands of answers! It is truly the best Catholic resource I have encountered!