Review: The Catholic Catalogue by Melissa Musick and Anna Keating

Exploring a wide assortment of Catholic traditions

I received The Catholic Catalogue from Blogging for Books  (a fun program that involves free books and a place to talk about them) in exchange for this review.
The Catholic Catalogue, by Melissa Musick and Anna Keating, explores eighty-two Catholic traditions as an encouragement for readers to make these practices part of their own lives.

Subtitled “a field guide to the daily acts that make up a Catholic life,” this book is for reference rather than one-time reading. Arranged thematically—with sections titled “Smells and Bells,” “Seasons of the Church Year,” and “Seasons of Life”—The Catalogue explains fixtures of Catholic practice such as prayers and blessings, yearly observances such as the celebration of feast days and the keeping of Lent, and significant events from baptisms to funerals.

The Catalogue is, above all, practical. It highlights how practices fit into a Catholic understanding of faith—however, the descriptions are not theological arguments but vibrant pictures of how a Catholic life can look. The writing is conversational, bringing voices from both the past and present into the discussion through frequent quotes and personal stories.

Unsurprisingly, The Catalogue is directed mainly toward Catholic readers. Tone and content seem to suit it equally for Catholics who are unfamiliar with the practices and those who, though familiar with these aspects of Catholicism, are seeking to engage with the practices more deeply or to introduce them to their children.

The Catholic Catalogue also provides for non-Catholics an introduction to common Catholic practices. It describes what the practice looks like as well as its purpose. Many chapters include brief sketches of the origins of the practices, and while these are informational rather than argumentative, the book also addresses common misinterpretations of Catholic traditions. For non-Catholics wanting a Catholic perspective on traditional Catholic practices, The Catholic Catalogue could be a helpful resource.

Filled with detailed descriptions, practical hints, and thoughtful quotations, The Catholic Catalogue depicts Catholic faith brought tangibly into daily life.