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THE CATHOLIC BOOK OF MARRIAGE by Father Philip Kelly

THE CATHOLIC BOOK OF MARRIAGE

By

Publisher: Farrar, Straus

A conventional, and unfortunately uninspired manual of marriage which might be described as 50% excerpts from Catholic prayer and Old and New Testament texts and 50% reiteration of Catholic dogma and beliefs concerning marriage, with birth prevention a re-theme. Father Kally condemns both the rhythm system and working wives. The most constructive section is (4) entitled ""Dangers of Marriage"", where the author warns newly weds against living with parents, debts, worrying, sensitivity, nagging, pessimism, seeking wealth, self-pity, etc. The rest of the book is chiefly of devotional nature, and deals with (1) pre-marital instructions; (2) the marriage ceremony in the form of a missal; (3) the marriage relationship presented in the form of questions and answers. Parts (5) and (6) praise Marriage and Children with each letter representing a virtue (such as I for Innocence, L for Love, etc.) The last three sections are concerned with preparation for children, baptism and naming of children, and Christian perfection a goal in marriage. A book of prayer and platitudes, where it might have been inspiration. But the devout, at the less intellectual level, will find it helpful carries imprimatur.