Books

Engaged to be Married - A Giftbook for Engaged Couples

Reviewed by Michael Daniel

Contents - Apr 2002 - Buy a copy now Editorial: 'If Christ is not risen, our faith is in vain!' - Peter Westmore Melbourne 'Sexuality Directives' put parents first - Anthony Cappello News: The Church Around the World Documents: John Paul II on the Catholic Faith in our region - Pope John Paul II Events: Carnivale Christi 2002 - Young Catholics restoring Sydney's Christian culture - Helen Ransom Adelaide Thomas More Centre address: The key elements of Catholic Action today - Archbishop Philip Wilson Melbourne TMC: The rights and responsibilities of laity in the Catholic Church - Archbishop Denis Hart The Lord of The Rings, Harry Potter and Star Wars - Hal G.P. Colebatch A fresh way for children to learn the faith - Catechesis of the Good Shepherd - Anne Delsorte Australian version of Maltese Marian shrine of Ta' Pinu 'Victims of Abortion' founder appeals to Catholic priests - Anne Lastman Letters: Gem of a priest (letter) - Patrick Nathan Letters: Vocations (letter) - Erin Carli Letters: Ambassador (letter) - Tom King Letters: Reforming the reform (letter) - Valentine Gallagher Letters: Evangelisation (letter) - Mavis Power Letters: Telling the truth (letter) - Teresa Martin Letters: Vocations Pilgrimage (letter) - Martine Watkinson Letters: Harry Potter (letter) - Christine Slagter Letters: Bare churches (letter) - Ned Haliburton Letters: Croatian appeal (letter) - Fr Zeljko Rakosec SJ Letters: Mutilated hymns (letter) - Eric G. Miller Letters: Generous response (letter) - Grace O'Hara Letters: EWTN (letter) - J. Clarke Letters: Purgatory (letter) - Hyacinth Morel Books: 'The Church In The Dark Ages' by Henri Daniel-Rops - Michael Lynch (reviewer) Books: The Clash Of Orthodoxies: Law, Religion and Morality in Crisis - David R. Oakley (reviewer) Books: Bound To Forgive: The Pilgrimage to Reconciliation of a Beirut Hostage - Michael Daniel (reviewer) Books: Engaged to be Married - A Giftbook for Engaged Couples - Michael Daniel (reviewer) Books: For Youth and the Poor - De La Salle Brothers in Australia, PNG and NZ 1906-2000 - Michael Bohan (reviewer) Books: New Titles from AD Books Reflection: Father forgive them ...: Our Lord's example for Christian living - Fr Dennis W. Byrnes PP

ENGAGED TO BE MARRIED: A Giftbook for Engaged Couples
Edited by Joanna Bogle
(Gracewing, 2001, 82pp, $19.95 Available from AD Books)

In the months of preparation for a marriage, it is all too easy for the bride and groom to be so occupied with organising their wedding that they do not allow sufficient time to reflect upon what will be the most significant decision they will make in their lives. This short but excellent book covers the major topics that those who are preparing to celebrate a Catholic marriage should consider.

A range of clergy and lay authors present chapters on topics such as marriage as a sacrament, creating a Christian home as a couple, natural family planning, the ends of marriage and raising children. Appendices contain prayers and extracts from the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

This book would be a most useful basis for marriage preparation. Its great strength is that the chapters are easy to read and are faithful to the Magisterium of the Church - the ideals of Catholic marriage are not "watered down". Thus, natural family planning and daily prayer as a family, which are regarded in some circles as quaint optional extras, are viewed in this publication as integral aspects of a Catholic marriage. The ideal which Engaged to be Married advocates is the one that numerous studies have demonstrated to have a low failure rate.

Michael Daniel teaches at a Melbourne independent college.

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 15 No 3 (April 2002), p. 18