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Reference Books
Four main types of materials in the reference collection are encyclopedias, dictionaries, commentaries, and primary documents. A VERY selective listing of reference materials of these types is given here. Much more is available; check out the collection for yourself!
ENCYCLOPEDIAS provide an overview and summary
of a subject and often include bibliographies for further reading. These
are very useful tools for an understanding of the many facets of a subject
and to get you started. The Catholic Encyclopedia published approx
1914. Useful for historical information. The New Catholic Encyclopedia and The New
Catholic Encyclopedia, 2nd ed., published in 1967
and 2002, respectively. Excellent for post Vatican II and very
current understandings of the faith. Sacramentum Mundi: An Encyclopedia of Theology.
Anchor Bible Dictionary and The Interpreters Dictionary of the Bible. Both are useful for people & places in scripture, books of the Bible, and a scriptural understanding of any concept.
Ecclesia: A Theological Encyclopedia of the Church. Verbum Caro: an Encyclopedia on Jesus, the Christ. Veni Creator Spiritus: a Theological Encyclopedia
of
the Holy Spirit. Theotokos: a Theological Dictionary of the Blessed
Virgin. The Papacy: an Encyclopedia.
DICTIONARIES define terms, provide a brief
overview of a topic, and may contain bibliographies. The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church,
3d ed. The New Dictionary of Theology. The New Dictionary of Sacramental Worship. The New Dictionary of Catholic Social Thought. The New Dictionary of Catholic Spirituality
COMMENTARIES are tools that explain other sources. Biblical commentaries include: A Catholic Commentary
on Holy Scripture; The Jerome Biblical Commentary; The International
Bible Commentary; and the Anchor Bible series, with a translation
and commentary on many books of the Bible. Other commentaries available in the collection include: Commentary
on the Documents of Vatican II; New Commentary on the Code of Canon
Law.
PRIMARY DOCUMENTS of all kinds are very important
in research. You should always read the primary document instead
of relying exclusively on other people’s interpretations of the documents.
Examples of primary documents are: Origins is a weekly newsletter which prints
major documents from the Vatican, US Conference of Catholic Bishops,
speeches by major church figures, etc. Acta Apostolicae Sedis Decrees of the Ecumenical Councils Pastoral Letters [and Statements] of the U. S. Catholic Bishops
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