Repository of Arcane Knowledge
Catholic Studies
Essays | Source Texts | Councils | Canon Law | Principles
The Repository of Arcane Knowledge provides access to a wealth of Catholic documents on theology, Biblical exegesis and Church history. Here we attempt to provide structure to the vast edifice of Catholic thought, allowing the reader to gain a sense of historical perspective in the Church's theological development. These resources include council decrees, papal encyclicals, catechisms, and essays on Catholic theology and philosophy. Additionally, there are original essays that relate perennial Catholic teachings in the context of modern scholarship.
Essays and Commentaries
The works below are original studies of Biblical exegesis and issues pertaining to the relationship between modern and pre-modern Catholicism. Essays on natural theology and philosophy will soon be added to the site.
- Succession of the Popes
Explanatory list of papal claimants. - Commentaries on the Ecumenical Councils
Historical background and analysis of canons. (First six councils currently available.) - Commentary on Genesis
An examination of the literal meaning of Genesis, based on anthropological, historical, and linguistic research. - Exegesis of Exodus
Discussion of the history, law, and theology of the Book of Exodus. - The Origins of Original Sin [Part I only]
An exposition of the historic origins of the doctrine of original sin in Jewish, apostolic and patristic testimony. - Origen and Origenism [Parts I-II only]
Examines the controversial doctrines of Origen and his followers. - A Revised Chronology of Israelite Kings
An original attempt to harmonize Biblical data with Assyrian chronology. - On the Comma Johanneum
A study of the Johannine Comma and its implications regarding the authenticity of the Vulgate. - Analysis of the Wittenberg Theses
Luther's ninety-five theses are interpreted in their historical context. - Christianity and Catholicism in the United States
Overview of challenges to orthodox Christianity posed by American political ideology. - The Dark Night of the Soul - A Précis with Commentary
An examination of St. John of the Cross' spiritual classic, contrasted with some modern misinterpretations. - On Dei Verbum
Understanding the Second Vatican Council's position on Biblical inspiration. - The Unity of the Church
An exposition of the Second Vatican Council's ecclesiology, and what is meant by unity "subsisting" in the Catholic Church. - The Reform of the Roman Liturgy
A comparison of the 1962 and 1970 Roman Missals, and the English translation of the latter. - The Composition of the Second Eucharistic Prayer
A comparison of the Second Eucharistic Prayer with the Canon of St. Hippolytus. - Consecration in the Anaphora of Addai & Mari
The implications of the Vatican's 2001 approval of the Assyrian liturgy are examined. - The Authentic Message of La Salette
A discussion of the original messages of La Salette, contrasted with spurious versions.
Source Texts and Other Catholic Resources
A comprehensive body of Catholic teaching throughout history can be constructed from the resources listed here.
- Documents of the Ecumenical Councils
The Repository of Arcane Knowledge contains a unique red-letter version that distinguishes ecumenically-binding canons, accompanied by original commentaries. - Canon Law
Summarizes the history of canon law, and links to several editions of the code, from the eleventh century to the present. - Catholic Literary Treasures
A reading list of some underappreciated masterpieces; several are out-of-print.External Links
- Papal Encyclicals
This site contains a comprehensive record of the encyclicals of modern popes, and many earlier texts as well. - The New Advent site contains several important resources:
- Catholic Encyclopedia (1917 ed.)
- Summa Theologica
- Writings of the Fathers of the Church. Refer also to our Historical Resources section.
- Douay-Rheims Bible (English/Latin)
- Catechism of the Catholic Church
- Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church
Summary of the modern catechism in traditional question-and-answer format. - Earlier Catechisms
Includes the Catechisms of St. Thomas Aquinas, the Council of Trent, and Pope St. Pius X, as well as the Baltimore Catechism. - Documenta Catholica Omnia
The most complete multilingual online collection of papal, conciliar, and patristic documents. - General Instruction of the Roman Missal (2002)
Official liturgical norms for the Mass. See also the 1975 edition, with appendix for U.S. dioceses. - The Catholic Culture Library
Includes the completed theological works of Fr. William Most, and numerous other documents that harmonize Catholic teaching past and present. - Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J. Archives
Over 400 articles on Catholic faith and morals by this renowned Jesuit theologian. - The Roman Theological Forum
A traditionalist theological society whose publication Living Tradition expounds Neo-Patristic approaches to Biblical exegesis and upholds Thomistic principles. - Medjugorje after Twenty-One Years - The Definitive History
This online book by the late traditionalist author Michael Davies gives a comprehensive account of the alleged apparitions at Medjugorje, finding them to be a deliberate hoax. - Redemptionis Sacramentum
This 2004 Vatican document repudiates some of the more common liturgical abuses in the US and Northern Europe. See also this summary of US liturgical abuses with respect to 2002 norms.
Internal Links
Principles
- The original essays on this site are intended to be consistent with Holy Scripture and the Sacred Tradition of the Catholic Church, as expressed by the decrees of the Magisterium past and present.
- The external resources linked to this site are thoroughly examined and found to be consistent with Catholic orthodoxy and obedience to the Holy See.
- The decrees of the Second Vatican Council and subsequent pontiffs are regarded as orthodox and consistent with the perennial teaching of the Church. Thus, in cases of ambiguity, modern decrees are always interpreted in a manner consistent with what the Church has solemnly defined in earlier centuries. This site rejects the schismatic notion that the post-Vatican II Church is heterodox, as well as the revisionist notion that the Council revoked or rendered obsolete any of the solemn definitions of the pre-Conciliar period. As a result, historical comprehensiveness is essential to all our analysis.
- The principles of Thomistic theology are accepted as most clearly and unambiguously teaching the truths of the Catholic faith, as well as being harmonious with a rationally sound realist philosophy. Other theological approaches are possible, as long as they do not contradict the clearly established theses of Thomistic philosophy.
- Biblical exegesis follows the principles established in Providentissimus Deus, acknowledging that the Holy Spirit is the true author of Holy Scripture, assenting to anything that is asserted by the inspired authors. Since it is metaphysically impossible for the Holy Spirit to assert falsehood, we must affirm as true anything that the inspired authors of Scripture intended to assert as true.
© 2005-2008 Daniel J. Castellano. All rights reserved.