Marriage and Parenthood

The Catholic Ideal

By Father Thomas J. Gerrard

Father Thomas J. Gerrard presents a Catholic account of marriage, parenthood, and the duties of family life.

Read the opening

Introduction and Chapter I. Institution and Purpose: 3,558 words, about 9 percent of the book, free in the press's own transcription. Read them here.

Source edition

1911, Joseph F. Wagner, New York

Manualist edition

August 2026

Marriage and Parenthood: The Catholic Ideal presents marriage as a sacrament and considers the responsibilities that follow from it. Father Thomas J. Gerrard addresses the choice of a state and a mate, the life of husband and wife, the raising of children, and Catholic education.

This Manualist Press edition follows the 1911 Joseph F. Wagner edition.

Why this book

Father Thomas J. Gerrard examines marriage as a sacrament and considers the responsibilities that follow from it, including the duties of husband and wife, parenthood, and Catholic education.

Restoration note

This edition follows the 1911 Joseph F. Wagner edition.

About the author

Thomas John Gerrard (1871–1916), born in Lancashire, was an English Catholic priest and theologian. His books include Marriage and Parenthood: The Catholic Ideal (1911) and The Church and Eugenics (1917), and he contributed to the Catholic Encyclopedia.

Sources: Wikidata, Wikipedia. Checked 2026-09-04.

All books by Father Thomas J. Gerrard