CONSOLATIONS

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27736, 13 August 1955, Page 3

CONSOLATIONS

[Reviewed by B.C.] The Consolations of Catholicism. Compiled and edited by Ralph L. Woods. Gollancs. To make a selection of quotations from the uncounted books ot consolation written by Catholics during the past 1900 years would seem a formidable task. The compiler of this anthology delimited the vast amount of available material by choosing from those passages only those that arc marked by an absence of theological ' abstraction and a minimum of apologetics. Even so, he must have been hard put to it toomit' many a quotation that w ?uld “amour fdE inclusion in this collection. One thinks, for example, of the many quotable “consolations” of that great consoler and-peacemaker, Saint* Catherine of Siena, who is not even ( mentioned here. ' Dividing his collection t according to the .great themes of Catholicism: God, Christ, the Mystical Body, Grace, the Mass, the Holy Eucharist, Our Blessed Mother, etc., the editor maintains an ® v ®n balance between the Church Fathers and modern writers. These are—as one might expect—ptedoniinantly clerical, but many distinguished, laymen—and women, too—are represented. The result is a happy book. Besides its intellectual irrterest and inspira--tiohal quality,. it radiates a peculiar warmth and fullness that should “console” all those who are not hardened by complete scepticism. - It should appeal to anyone of religious spirit, ' whether Catholic or not, and indeed whether Christian or not. For simple readers it provides an excellent meditation-book and might lead them to the wider reading of the works from which these quotations have been quarried. Its clear division and good . index make it a valuable , reference book for writers and public speakers, especially perhaps for preachers and teachers. A word of warning about consola- : tion books may not be out of place. That a religion should “console” is . secondary to its main function, which is the giving of due worship to God. ' Once this principle gives perspective . to our thoughts, we can safely think • and talk and write about the consola- ' tions of Catholicism.