his Dictionary is not an ordinary compilation of knowledge, but a book of life, of Catholic life, past and present, in every part of the world.
It contains not only definitions and explanations of every subject in Religion, Scripture, tradition, doctrine, morals, sacraments, rites, customs, devotions and symbolism, but also accounts of the Church in every continent, country, diocese; missions, notable Catholic centers, cities, and places with religious names; religious orders, church societies, sects and false religions.
It has brief articles also on historical events and personages, on the Old Testament and New, and on popes, prelates, priests, men and women of distinction, showing what the Church has done for civilization and correcting many errors which have hitherto passed for history.
This volume contains articles on matters in philosophy, psychology and education, of special interest, on which there is a Catholic teaching or position; law, the laws of the Church, or canon law, and the influence of religion on civil law; ethics, social and political science; the arts which have served and derived inspiration from religion; painting, architecture, sculpture, music, literature, Catholic artists and authors. The relation of science with religion is treated in a special manner. Neat articles on each science tell what Catholics and Christians generally have done for it, and thus show the impossibility of conflict between the two.
If it be asked: why so many subjects? It should be remembered that the Catholic religion has a long history of its own, and that this history is rooted in the ages preceding its foundation. It is rich in doctrine, elaborate in ceremonial, regulated by laws which reflect the best there is in the civil and church jurisprudence of centuries. Its constitution is world-wide, organized by dioceses and missions in every part of the world. For almost every doctrine it teaches there is an error to correct. It has its enemies as well as its champions. It reaches into every field of human life, into philosophy, psychology, morals, education, art, and the sciences, physical and social.
This Dictionary is entitled "New" because it is entirely different from every other dictionary hitherto published in any language, and this part of the title will be retained permanently because the editors propose to publish at intervals new editions which will contain whatever is new concerning the topics treated. It is entitled "Catholic" because it is universal in scope so far as concerns religion, and all that is connected with it - and what of any importance in life is not so connected? It is Catholic also in the sense that it aims at giving as correctly as language can express the traditions, teachings, customs, pious practices and history of the Catholic Church, and its position on every question that affects human life. This will appear in the number of titles of ancient and of foreign origin. The Church is of all times, of all peoples, of every tongue. For all such titles the derivation is given, and derivations are as a rule the best definitions.
The chief merits of a dictionary are precision, accuracy, simplicity, and brevity. Fortunately, precision and accuracy are characteristic of Catholic theology, philosophy, literature and history. These qualities help to put an end to controversy. They make the truths of faith more intelligible and inspirational. Simplicity and brevity were the aims of the greatest of masters, Thomas Aquinas, to whom Catholic scholars since his time have all looked for guidance. He deplored that "beginners are greatly impeded by the writings of various authors, partly because of the heaping-up of useless questions, articles, and arguments; partly because the knowledge necessary for them is not presented in a strictly methodical sequence." In religion and whatever goes with it we are all beginners. The writers and editors of this Dictionary have used no waste words, and only such that all may understand. Moreover they have given much attention and space to the symbolism by which the Church everywhere and at all times has known how to express what language often obscures.
For readers who need further information than the articles contain, there is sufficient reference to well-selected books after each important article, and the complete bibliographical lists at the end of the volume are of exceptional value.
The compilation of this Dictionary has been the work of years. Over two hundred writers have contributed articles for it. We are pleased to express our gratitude to these scholarly and generous assistants. We are grateful also to the 10,000 who subscribed in advance for this Dictionary, and to the 650 patrons who kindly acted as underwriters to enable us to publish it. Since it would be impossible to produce without defect a work of so much variety and multitudinous detail, we shall welcome every criticism and suggestion that will enable us to make it as well-nigh perfect as a human production may be.
All regret profoundly that as the work neared completion, one of the special editors, Dr Pallen, was called unexpectedly from his labors, though no one will question that a spirit like his has continued to inspire and assist his devoted collaborators.
note: I have replaced abbeviations with the words or terms they abbreviate. Condensing the words was a useful way of shrinking the size and cost of the printed version, but today they serve only to confuse or obfuscate. -Terry H Jones
