Father Mark A. Pilon received an M.S. in Education from Catholic University of America; an S.T.L. Summa cum Laude from the John Paul II Institute at the Lateran University, and an S.T.D. Magna cum Laude from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome. He was Chair of Systematic Theology, Mount St. Mary's Seminary; Associate Professor of Theology at Christendom College; visiting professor at Catholic University of America Graduate School of Education and at the Christian Commonwealth Institute, El Escorial, Spain. He is presently teaching at Notre Dame Graduate School of Christendom College

          In the Western world, marriage is a beleaguered institution: witness the occasional victory of a minority intent on legalizing same-sex unions. In the introductory chapter of this new, revised edition of Magnum Mysterium, the author surveys the social and moral decline that has undermined the traditional understanding and respect for matrimony. Nevertheless, stable marriage, for which the Church has the divine "blueprint," greatly benefits society, the Church, and especially children. So Fr. Pilon is confident about its future.
          Given the widespread confusion between the objective "ends" of marriage, and the subjective "purposes" of individuals who marry or attempt marriage, Chapter 1 defines and discusses the nature of marriage: an intimate community of life and love that is both a covenant and a contract entered into by free consent. Extensive reference is made to the treatment of the subject in Gaudium et spes. Chapter 2 examines conjugal love more closely in light of the teaching in Humanae Vitae about its four characteristics.
          Chapter 3 reviews the sacramental theology of marriage, "a natural sign of God's love for man" and "an efficacious sign of the New Covenant" (see Ephesians 5:32, which suggested the Latgin title of the book).
          The next three chapters are about parenting. Chapter 4, on "Children and Marriage," reminds an individualistic age that the common good of society depends on the procreative dimension of marriage. Deliberate infertility is socially irresponsible and invalidates sacramental marriage. On the other hand, no couple has an absolute "right" to children, and resorting to reproductive technologies is dehumanizing. Children are a gift from God, and the family is both a "school of humanity" and a "domestic Church." Chapter 5 is a detailed, almost slow-motion discussion of "responsible parenthood," and the basic teaching of Humanae Vitae, as reaffirmed by John Paul II. Chapter 6 explains Natural Family Planning.
          Chapter 7 presents the "Marriage Law of the Church," clearly distinguishing it from civil law while emphasizing that the Church is the appointed guardian of divine and natural law. The canons concerning the legality and validity of marriage, impediments, mixed marriages, etc., are presented lucidly from a pastoral perspective. The final chapter on "Preparing for Marriage" considers not only diocesan pre-marriage requirements, but also remote factors such as formation in the home and the problems of exclusive dating.
          Appendix A is a look at the teaching of John Paul II about the much debated "primary end of marriage" in its historical context. Appendix B covers annulments, and its "Summary and Conclusion" round out this first-rate volume. Magnum Mysterium is sufficiently precise and thorough to serve as a textbook for a seminary course on marriage. Its explanations and apologetic arguments are also well-rooted in pastoral experience, so that it can be used as a reference work by priests and deacons who prepare couples for marriage and who preach on the subject. An excellent resource! --Michael J. Miller in the November 2011 issue of Homiletic & Pastoral Review.