Customer Reviews

Consecrated Phrases: A Latin Theological Dictionary (Reference Works)

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Bretzke's Consecrated Phrases may not be comprehensive or exhaustive, but it gets the job done. What I like about this work is that it contains a number of Latin theological phrases that are then succinctly defined in a clear and relatively precise manner. The work is 140+pp. in length including the bibliography. I think the author has done his homework here, but don't buy it if you want depth and exhaustiveness. Some examples of phrases defined are as follows:

Deus semper maior-"God is always greater" (than human attempts at understanding).

Lex valet ut in pluribus-"The law holds in most cases."

Summa Theologiae-"Sum of theology."

I also like the way that Bretzke provides a historical context to a number of the definitions. That is very helpful to those of us who are not Catholics.

This compendium of common Latin phrases is worth the price just for the phrase "Ubi deficiunt equi trottant aselli", which I had never heard before, but found immensely valuable.

As a reference, it has already been helpful, particularly in dispute with a "Church of God" associate regarding IHS vs. "in hoc signo vinces".

What was surprising about the book is its value as a "browse-through" volume. On the one hand, us post-Vatican II Catholics don't really have a good feel for the interests of the pre-Vatican II world. The staggering number of Latin phrases referencing sexual activity is a pretty strong indicator of the amount of time spent by theologians on this subject (although why theologians should be any different from the rest of the world is another question).

Simply paging through this book is to touch upon long-considered ideas. I believe we tend to ignore the aphorisms and phrases we hear every day, no matter what cleverness or wisdom may lie behind them. To browse through the aphorisms and phrases of a learned language is to put aside this disability and see old concepts in a new light.

Nicely done!

Jim Bretzke, S.J. is an Associate Professor of Theology and Religious Studies. This small book contains Latin phrases that express a significant position of the Roman Catholic theology of the Pre-Vatican II era. It also includes the Latin titles of many Church documents and major works.

The book not only includes the literal translation. But what that phrase meant in the Traditional Roman Catholic sacramental theology. I found these entries to be quite useful in helping understand the meaning and not just the words.

There are also various Protestant traditions included. If you are looking for a dictionary, this is not the book for you and not why it was written.

James T. Bretzke, S.J. has produced a Latin theological dictionary
of consecrated phrases that is a must have for those who do any
substantive reading in the realm of theology. Though this slim volume
is only 159 pages, it is packed full of Latin phrases that are frequently found in theological writings and canon law.

Since many technical works leave the Latin untranslated, this volume
fills a much needed void. Bretzke has succeeded in compiling, translating and briefly explaining terms of theological, philosophical, liturgical and canonical importance from Protestant as well as Roman Catholic sources and traditions.

This work is primarily a quick reference guide in order to give the reader
an adequate understanding of difficult expressions. For a full and more
complete meaning one should consult other encylopedias and theological
dictionaries.

The entries are arranged alphabetically and given a literal translation
of the Latin and the theological meaning or significance of the term.
Major Latin works and documents are printed in bold type for the readers
convenience. Finally, the author has included many common abbreviations
and words such as "idid", "i.e.", "q.v." and the like.

This volume is designed to be a handy desk reference book constructed
from the authors own theological readings. A very well written and
organized work!!!!

This is a great little book to access liturgical latin phrases encountered or just to impress your professor. Actually, it was recommended by my professor and I'm glad I have it on my shelves. I have used it several times in only a few weeks (not to impress my professor). Everything you encounter won't be in here but so many will. This is a simple idea that has merit.

Very nice! Easy to use. Definately a good resource to anyone in Lay Ministry.

Although the many phrases in the book are translated well, I find that some of the explanations are a bit too conciliaratory and modern. If the author would have cut down on the explanations and cross-references and added more phrases, it would have been a much better book.