57 of 58 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Catholic Men - Take The Initiative and Step Up to the Plate, June 11, 2005
This review is from: Christian Courtship in an Oversexed World: A Guide for Catholics (Paperback)
I'm really surprised that no one has reviewed this book. I have met Fr. Morrow and if any of you live close to Washington, DC, please visit his parish. When I read this, I could not put it down. I even ordered extra copies of this book, and gave them as gifts to a few of my buddies. Alhough this review is written from a man's perspective, the content pertains to both sexes.
The content of this book is on a mature level, with an audience reaching the 25+ age bracket. I recommend it for people who have been out of college for a few years and have discerned a vocation to the marriage covenant. This book is definitely not for John Q. Public who is looking to take someone home from a bar on Friday night.
A large part of what Fr. Morrow touches on is that our culture really needs to change. Sadly, pre-marital sex has become much of the norm, and too many people decide to become a "couple" after the 2nd or 3rd date. This had led to not only quite a bit of heartbreak, but also a serious lack of trust in others. Our society has become a "friends with benefits" world, which has led to a breakdown in the "sanctity of marriage" and the marriage covenant.
A lot of the "heartbreak" associated with secular dating today has been destroyed due to pre-marital sex. Lovemaking should only take place within the sanctity of marriage, and the marital embrace shall always be open to life.
The best courtship is a chaste and honorable courtship. Sadly, many men (I can pick on men, I am one) have forgotten how to do this. What I liked best about this book is Fr. Morrow suggests doing some "friendship dating" for at least one to three months before making a "commitment" to someone. It is fun to take a young lady to an art museum, send her flowers, write her letters, or go for long walks in the park. Attending Mass together and praying together are wonderful things to do too. Fr. Morrow also throws in some ideas for some good "cheap dates" that are not only fun, but also creative.
Fr. Morrow touches quite a bit on formation (before finding Miss Right, you need to be Mr. Right), questions to ask, and conversations to have during the courtship process. There is also an excellent chapter written on modesty and communication.
Fr. Morrow gives some insights on places to go to meet a prospective spouse, such as Catholic seminars and pro-life events. However, he stresses that people go because you are interested in participating in a cause or hearing a lecture, not just finding someone to go to a movie with Saturday night.
As a never married Catholic man in my mid 30's, (I was in my late 20's when I "returned" to the faith, and began to learn more about it), I find that there are quite a few single Catholic women who are looking for a Catholic man to step up to the plate. Many devout Catholic men have not taken enough initative in this area, and I think that is one reason why quite a few Catholic women are marrying men outside of their faith. Another reason I think alot of Catholic women have been marrying outside their faith is they find that there are several "Catholic" men out there who are not truly Catholic, and do not meet their expectations.
Catholic men, I urge you to learn your faith well and practice it. If you are called to marriage, please take some initiative in finding good Catholic spoouses. They are out there. Don't give up. I have met several nice and authentic Catholic women over the past few years who are not only highly intelligent, fun, well-educated, smart, committed to their faith, but also very beautiful inside and outside.
I appreciate the work Fr. Morrow did in putting this work together, and he holds firmly to his beliefs and those of the Holy Catholic Church. The orthodoxy is here, and the Catholic Faith is Alive!!
Therefore Catholic men, let's throw some dinner parties (a lost art) and invite some nice Catholic women over to make some new friends.
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30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Revolutionary Tract, July 10, 2005
This review is from: Christian Courtship in an Oversexed World: A Guide for Catholics (Paperback)
This is the map for the Christian counterrevolution on matters sexual. It is a book that any parent, any single, any grandparent, and any educator should have. And certainly pastors should read it and preach it. The book is specific and answers specifically the age-old question of how much physical contact is prudent in a Christian courtship (of course, no sex, but even restraint in kissing). Fr. Morrow advocates a two-stage process: first non-exclusive friendship dating with no kissing or even hand-holding, only nice hugs. If the two "friends" find that they have a mutual interest in exploring the possibility of marriage, they then agree to enter the courtship period where gentle and restrained kissing and hand-holding are allowed. The goal is to create and deepen personal intimacy and not short circuit the growth of genuine friendship with inappropriate physical intimacy. Certainly, many of us who are now married wish we would have had this type of book in hand years ago. It would have saved many a lot of needless confusion and trouble. You can find a more detailed review at my blog.
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21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must-have for teens heading to college!, August 29, 2005
This review is from: Christian Courtship in an Oversexed World: A Guide for Catholics (Paperback)
I agree with an earlier review that the subject matter is for mature audiences, but I believe that with the bombardment of sexual messages in our culture that this is appropriate for older teens who are eager to "date" and have boyfriends or girlfriends. It is really almost too late once they leave for college to have a strong influence.
This is the type of book that my mother would have read first and then given to me for reading and later discussion during my teen years. I think that it could open lines of communication between a teen and a parent of the same gender. If responsible adults won't provide the answers to their questions then teens will ask each other or turn elsewhere for information. I was surprised that this book actually tackled some very specific issues that teens in my parish high school program have brought up in (single sex) discussion groups such as what the church teaches is appropriate in marital relations and before marriage.
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