Living Catholicism: Book Review: The Catholic Family Handbook

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December 31, 2004

Book Review: The Catholic Family Handbook

I recently finished reading The Catholic Family Handbook by Father Lawrence Lovasik and wanted to pass along my thoughts. The goal of the book is to cover family life in two respects: marriage and children. So, Fr. Lovasik uses the first part of the book to explain how to approach and strengthen your marriage and the second part on how to raise children.

One of my favorite features of the book is it’s practical nature. Not only does Fr. Lovasik explain why we should do certain things, he gives practical advice on achieving them – often the advice give us personal spiritual direction for our lives as married adults and parents. For example, here’s an excellent passage from Chapter 14: Help Your Children Develop Character:

When your children make use of tantrums, apply the following rules:

If your children use temper tantrums to get their own way, do not give into them.

If they use tantrums to gain attention, do not pay attention to your children during the tantrum, but pay more attention to the good things they do.

If the tantrums are due to some physical cause or lack of play, remove the cause and try to give better opportunities for play.

If you are responsible for your child’s anger, control your temper, admit that you were wrong, and correct your faulty habits. In the future, do not set an example of irritability for your children.

In all of man’s inborn impulses or instincts, there lie possibilities for good and for evil. Their proper use is helpful, their abuse is harmful. It is important that they are kept within legitimate bounds. They must be kept under the mastery of the mind, the will, and the conscience. When these higher faculties are in control, evil inclinations will become harmless and good tendencies helpful. If you help your children to learn early to control their impulses, it will be your joy to see them develop into ideal masterpieces of the Creator. This, indeed, should be your foremost duty.

Overall the book is excellent. It provides a solid foundation for married men and women to base their relationship and family on. I enjoyed Fr. Lovasik’s clear and concise writing style as well as the way he mixes theory and practical guidance to actually help you. I’d recommend this for any young couple, parents, or those with marital difficulties. Click here to purchase The Catholic Family Handbook.

God bless,
Jay