Catholic Traditions: Treasures New and Old

As a Catholic parent and one interested in growing in faith and knowledge about my own Church, I love resources like Joanne Turpin's Catholic Traditions: Treasures Old and New. The book provides a comprehensive overview of all of the important aspects of the Catholic Church and its teachings. Turpin's chapters are well organized with a sufficient level of detail to answer most questions well. The book covers everything from the Sacred Space (physical layout) of the Church, to the names and meanings of the various items employed in the Church. Traditions and teachings related to Marian devotion, the Communion of Saints, Angels and our liturgical calendar are all covered. Wonderful sections on prayer and popular devotions provide not only detailed explanation, but also inspiration for new modes of prayer and adoration. I will definitely turn to this book to grow in my own faith, to teach my children, and to help educate my friends and others on the beauty of our Catholic traditions.

One of the author's goals in this work is to "distinguish between the essentials and the trimmings, the tradition and the customs." She meets the challenge in 13 chapters dealing with such topics as the Mass; sacraments; prayer; Mary; angels and saints; and "Catholic practices, minor and major." The section on Catholic practices will evoke memories, if not nostalgia, in those who grew up in the 50s, but younger readers may be amused by the era's rules for fasting, women wearing hats to church, "making" the First Fridays, and the like. As a pre-Vatican II Catholic, I read about Forty Hours devotions wistfully. Each chapter contains relevant margin quotes with reference notes and a short reading list. An extensive index is included. This work would be especially helpful for catechists, parents, and those involved in, RCIA programs.