Research and Course Guides: Sacramental Theology: Reference Works

Online Background Sources: Encyclopedias, etc.

New Catholic Encyclopedia - 2nd ed. (online)
A standard work on the history of Catholicism and its relation to the world. It includes articles on theology, philosophy, history, literary figures, saints, musicians and much more.
Encyclopedia of Religion
Recently updated version of the classic resource for in-depth background on all topics in religion and religions, strong in East, West, and World religions. Authoritative articles by outstanding scholars.
Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church
The single best one-volume overview of Church history, covering all periods. Great for looking up people, ideas, topics, issues, etc. new or unfamiliar to you.

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Over 6000 entries: theology; churches and denominations; patristic scholarship; the Bible; church calendar and organization; popes; archbishops; saints; and mystics, etc.
Encyclopedia Judaica - 2nd ed. (online)
Updated edition of a classic, the best source for background information on Judaism and Jewish topics

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Oxford Reference
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Wiley Online Library
Articles, journals, and books published by Wiley across a variety of disciplines.

Reference Works

Vatican Council II : the basic sixteen documents : constitutions, decrees, declarations : a completely revised translation in inclusive language / general editor, Austin Flannery.
ISBN: 0918344379
The New dictionary of sacramental worship / editor, Peter E. Fink.
ISBN: 0814657885
General instruction of the Roman missal.
ISBN: 157455543X

This document presents the official English translation authorized by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and approved by the Vatican of the instruction for the celebration of Mass according to the Third Typical Edition of the Roman Missal. It includes detailed instructions for each part of the Mass; for the duties of the celebrant, other ministers and the people; the different forms of celebrating Mass; for the arrangement and furnishings of churches; and for the bread and wine and sacred furnishings, vessels, and vestments. It also provides norms for the selection of Mass, the choice of texts for the Mass, the selection of texts set to music and special rules for Masses for the dead and Masses with prayers for various circumstances. It concludes with a chapter on adaptations within the competence of bishops and bishops' conferences.

All who participated in the Eucharistic celebration should have a complete knowledge and understanding of this fundamental document.
The ceremonies of the Roman rite described / Adrian Fortescue, J.B. O'Connell ; with a pref. by the Archbishop of Birmingham and an appendix on "The ceremonies of the ritual in the U.S.A." by Frederick R. McManus.
Ceremonies of the modern Roman rite : the Eucharist and the Liturgy of the Hours: a manual for clergy and all involved in liturical ministries / Peter J. Elliott.
ISBN: 0898705266
Eucharistic documents for the new millennium
ISBN: 1568545592
The Introductory Matters of the Roman Missal of 1962
Norms for the distribution and reception of Holy Communion under both kinds in the dioceses of the United States of America / United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Corpus Christi: An Encyclopedia of the Eucharist. Ed. by Michael O’Carroll.
ISBN: 0894536877