Catholic Customs and Traditions: A Popular Guide (More Resources to Enrich Your Lenten Journey) (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

This newly revised, expanded edition answers the questions most commonly asked by both Catholics and non-Catholics. Dues outlines traditional Catholic religious history, gives an engaging overview of the rich variety of customs associated with Advent, Christmas, Holy Week, and Lent, and provides a thorough understanding of why Catholics practice their faith the way they do.

Product Details

• Paperback: 210 pages
• Publisher: Twenty-Third Publications; Revised edition (November 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0896225151
• ISBN-13: 978-0896225152
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #170,011 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for the average catholic and non-catholic alike, April 11, 1999

By	D. M. Childs "ignatiusdmc" (Central Ohio) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Easy to read, informative. excellent for families and those just comming into the church. Great for those who always wonder "why do catholics do that?" Not just for catholics, many traditions observe the same customs, now find out why.

44 of 46 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book easily and clearly explains Catholic Traditions., February 11, 1999

By A Customer

This is the second purchase I have made of this book. The book is broken down by the various Catholic seasons (i.e. lent, advent). It is a book that "Cradle Catholics" can use to renew their understanding about the traditions and customs. I recommend this to Catholic families with children, Catholics that would like to renew their faith, individuals in RCIA and anyone interested in the Catholic relgion.

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars An arm's length look at Catholic tradition, February 11, 2005

By	Michael Dunphy (Naperville, Illinois USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Some interesting information, but overly hostile to traditional Catholicism. The book claims we fasted because of "an exaggerated devotion to the real presence" [p.153]. It says we were overly attentive to the needs of those in purgatory [p.130]. It repeatedly puts the word "souls" in quotes[pp.34,130]. It demeans kneeling as the position of "servitude and slavery" [p.176]. It disparages "confession in a dark closet" [p.146].

The whole book has an odd flavor to it. It uses BCE/CE for dates, instead of BC/AD. It refers to "Orders" instead of "Holy Orders" and too often portrays clergy as either out of touch with the laity or indistinguishable from them. The book often makes it sound as if pagan practice was uncritically adopted by the church.

There is good material here, too. But before you purchase this book, you might want to consider one of the following books, which treat the Catholic faith less skeptically:

The Book of Catholic Customs and Traditions
by Ronda De Sola Chervin and Carla Conley

Catholic Customs: A Fresh Look at Traditional Practices
by Regis J. Flaherty

The How-To Book of Catholic Devotions: Everything You Need to Know but No One Ever Taught You
by Mike Aquilina and Regis J. Flaherty

Why Do Catholics Do That?
by Kevin Orlin Johnson

The Catholic Source Book
by Peter Klein

The Year and Our Children
by Mary Newland

A Continual Feast
by Evelyn Birge Vitz

These books are the products of a living Faith, and helpful for faithfully following Christ in the 21st century. Mr. Dues seems to have some of the Faith as well, which is a great thing, but I fear his book would be damaging to a reader not already unusually-well grounded in Catholicism.