Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest opinion.
Ever have one of those books that you just couldn’t get through? That happens to me whenever I have a Kindle book for review. I requested The Church last summer and finally finished it last week.
The Church: Unlocking the Secrets to the Places Catholics Call Home was written by Cardinal Donald Weurl & Mike Aquilina. Together, they go through the elements that all Catholic Churches have in them around the world. From the buildings to the furnishings and even the processes and how items are used. They touch on and explain the symbolism in the art. In addition, the Bible and GIRM (General Instruction of the Roman Missal) are heavily referred to, as well as Sacred Tradition and historical practices.
Despite the fact that this book took months for me to read, it was not a dry book. It was interesting to learn the origins of the Church that I was born & raised in. I learned a lot, not just about the physical elements, but also how they work with the Sacraments of the Church. I’m discovering that I like to read non-fiction with a to-do list or fiction. Since this book was for the sake of knowledge, it took me awhile.
If you have ever wondered why the Catholic Church buildings are designed like the are, it even just wanted to know a little bit about the religion & history, you will get a taste of it in The Church: Unlocking the Secrets to the Places Catholics Call Home. If you are curious, this is a neutral place to get a feel for Catholicism.
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