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Review by Dr Pravin Thevathasan
The Faith
A Question and Answer Guide to the Catechism of the Catholic Church
by Fr. John Hardon, S.J.
Servant Books
Father Hardon was a wonderful and holy Jesuit priest who promoted orthodoxy at a time when orthodoxy was deeply
unpopular. This is his guide to the Catechism of the Catholic Church which was published in 1992 and is now more
relevant than ever. Father Hardon presents the Catechism in an easy to digest question and answer format. Each
answer has the paragraph number from the Catechism and it is easy to cross reference. There are 1306 questions
and answers. The book is organized in the same manner as the Catechism in four parts: The profession of faith,
The celebration of the sacred mystery, The life in Christ and Christian prayer. The last section is especially
beautiful in both the Catechism and in Fr Hardon's book.
Question 641 asks what we mean by matrimony in the Lord. In part the answer is that "The Saviour restored
marriage to its original state before the fall of our first parents. It is now an indissoluble, lifelong union
of one man and one woman until death." Nothing can be clearer than this.
This book is really excellent. An extensive index is provided to help us select a subject. It is ideal for those
who wish to deepen their faith but who find the Catechism a little daunting.
Copyright ©; Dr Pravin Thevathasan 2015
Version: 11th September 2015
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