Catholic Review of: Catholic Morality

A high school textbook, Catholic Morality is the third volume in A Course in Religion.  It is a comprehensive look at what morality means to the Catholic and how he is to apply it to his life. 

 

It is divided into two sections.  The first discusses the conditions of morality, moral good, and moral evil.  This section was instrumental in understanding the second in that it introduces how one goes about reasoning what is moral and what isn't in light of Scripture and Church teaching.  I found myself after reading this chapter better able to make personal decisions in my daily life. 

 

The second section goes into particulars, discussing our duties to God, ourselves, our neighbors, and as members of our family, the state, and the Church.  I learned a lot in this section since things that weren't quite clear in my RCIA class were clarified here.  Some things, such as the Church's rules on cremation, are different now than when Fr. Laux first wrote this series in 1928.  However, TAN has provided editor's notes clarifying the issue in the bottom of the page, which I found to be very helpful.

 

At the end of each chapter are questions for discussion and review.  This makes this book good for parents homeschooling or who are supplementing their teen's religious education.

 

All in all, this is a clear, concise, and insightful book that quotes Scripture, Church documents, and writings of the saints.  I would highly recommend it to any high schooler, RCIA participant, or an adult in need of a "refresher" or clarification.  

 

Fr. John Laux, M.A. was a high school teacher at Notre Dame High School and Professor of Psychology, Villa Madonna College, Covington, KY.

 

You can purchase this book here.