"A reference work, but not of the heavy, scholarly type; lighter, yet full of pertinent information difficult to quickly glean from elsewhere. It is full of learning (and wisdom) digested from many (and varying sources), made easily accessible"—Alexander Andrée, University of Toronto
"This book is a treasure trove of Catholic history and culture. The learned author's perspective is sometimes whimsical and sometimes provocative, but always illuminating."—Fr. Uwe Michael Lang, Cong. Orat., , St. Mary's University, Twickenham, London
"This fascinating and informative book is s a 500-page conversation with a dazzling raconteur who has forgotten very little in life but still forgotten more than you and I will ever know. This is how Samuel Johnson might have passed his years as a Catholic—defining and delighting. Buy yourself this book. The indulgence will be plenary."—Mike Aquilina, author of The Fathers of the Church: An Introduction to the First Christian Teachers
"In an age of relativism we need Defenders of the Definite, such as Anthony Lo Bello, who define words in a way that defies those speakers who abuse language to confuse the faithful. Here we have clarity, rooted in the roots of the words themselves, and an adventurous voyage into the origins of the language. It is unlike any dictionary you have ever read, or any encyclopedia you are ever likely to read. Fun, feisty, and cuttingly edgy, it is nothing less than the words made fresh."—Joseph Pearce, author of Beauteous Truth: Faith, Reason, Literature and Culture
"Origins of Catholic Words is like talking to an Oxbridge professor about words you've met but don't really know yet. It is a book to have by your bedside for the sake of wonder about what it means to know words and to use to speak well of God and everything else."—C.C. Pecknold, The Catholic University of America
"With pith and wit, Anthony Lo Bello has produced a readable reference work and a worthy companion to the old Catholic Encyclopedia. Lovers of lexicon and liturgy, theology and trivia, vocabulary and vestments will easily find a place on their shelves for Origins of Catholic Words: A Discursive Dictionary."—First Things
