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Signs of Life: 40 Catholic Customs and Their Biblical Roots
Scott Hahn, the bestselling author of The Lamb's Supper and Reasons to Believe, celebrates the touchstones of the Catholic life, guiding readers to a deeper faith through the Church's rites, customs, and traditional prayers.
Signs of Life is beloved author Scott Hahn's clear and comprehensive guide to the Biblical doctrines and historical traditions that underlie Catholic beliefs and practices. Devoting single chapters to each topic, the author takes the reader on a journey that illuminates the roots and significance of all things Catholic, including: the Sign of the Cross, the Mass, the Sacraments, praying with the saints, guardian angels, sacred images and relics, the celebration of Easter, Christmas, and other holidays, daily prayers, and much more.
In the appealing conversational tone that has won him millions of devoted readers, Hahn presents the basic tenets of Church teachings, clears up common misconceptions about specific rituals and traditions, and responds thoughtfully to the objections raised about them. Each chapter concludes with loving, good-natured, inspiring advice on applying the Church's wisdom to everyday life.
Signs of Life is beloved author Scott Hahn's clear and comprehensive guide to the Biblical doctrines and historical traditions that underlie Catholic beliefs and practices. Devoting single chapters to each topic, the author takes the reader on a journey that illuminates the roots and significance of all things Catholic, including: the Sign of the Cross, the Mass, the Sacraments, praying with the saints, guardian angels, sacred images and relics, the celebration of Easter, Christmas, and other holidays, daily prayers, and much more.
In the appealing conversational tone that has won him millions of devoted readers, Hahn presents the basic tenets of Church teachings, clears up common misconceptions about specific rituals and traditions, and responds thoughtfully to the objections raised about them. Each chapter concludes with loving, good-natured, inspiring advice on applying the Church's wisdom to everyday life.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
497 people are currently reading
3195 people want to read
About the author
Scott Hahn
415 books1,324 followersScott Hahn is a renowned Catholic theologian, apologist, speaker, and bestselling author whose work has had a profound impact on contemporary biblical theology and Catholic thought. A former Presbyterian minister, Hahn converted to Catholicism in 1986 after an intense personal and theological journey, which he details in his popular book Rome Sweet Home, co-written with his wife, Kimberly Hahn. Their story of conversion has inspired countless readers around the world and remains a landmark in modern Catholic apologetics.
Hahn holds the Father Michael Scanlan Chair of Biblical Theology and the New Evangelization at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, where he has taught since 1990. He is also the founder and president of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting biblical literacy among the laity and biblical fluency among clergy. Through the Center, Hahn leads a wide range of initiatives, including publications, pilgrimages, Bible studies, and the scholarly journal Letter and Spirit.
Educated at Grove City College (B.A.), Gordon–Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div.), and Marquette University (Ph.D. in Systematic Theology), Hahn brings a deep academic foundation to his work. His dissertation, Kinship by Covenant, was later published by Yale University Press and received praise for its theological insight and scholarly rigor.
Throughout his career, Hahn has emphasized the covenant as the key to understanding salvation history, showing how the biblical narrative reveals a divine plan that unites all of humanity into God's family. His works explore themes such as the Eucharist, the role of Mary, the sacraments, and the authority of the Church, often drawing on the writings of the early Church Fathers to bridge the ancient faith with modern understanding.
He is the author or editor of over forty books, including The Lamb’s Supper, Hail, Holy Queen, First Comes Love, Letter and Spirit, Swear to God, Reasons to Believe, The Creed, The Fourth Cup, and Holy Is His Name. Many of his books have become staples in Catholic households, study groups, and seminaries.
In addition to his writing, Hahn is a highly sought-after speaker, having delivered thousands of lectures across the United States and abroad. He appears regularly on EWTN and has collaborated with Lighthouse Catholic Media to bring his teachings to an even broader audience.
Scott Hahn lives in Ohio with his wife Kimberly. They have six children and numerous grandchildren. Together, the Hahns continue to lead efforts in evangelization and Catholic education, embodying a lifelong commitment to deepening faith and understanding through Scripture and tradition.
Hahn holds the Father Michael Scanlan Chair of Biblical Theology and the New Evangelization at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, where he has taught since 1990. He is also the founder and president of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting biblical literacy among the laity and biblical fluency among clergy. Through the Center, Hahn leads a wide range of initiatives, including publications, pilgrimages, Bible studies, and the scholarly journal Letter and Spirit.
Educated at Grove City College (B.A.), Gordon–Conwell Theological Seminary (M.Div.), and Marquette University (Ph.D. in Systematic Theology), Hahn brings a deep academic foundation to his work. His dissertation, Kinship by Covenant, was later published by Yale University Press and received praise for its theological insight and scholarly rigor.
Throughout his career, Hahn has emphasized the covenant as the key to understanding salvation history, showing how the biblical narrative reveals a divine plan that unites all of humanity into God's family. His works explore themes such as the Eucharist, the role of Mary, the sacraments, and the authority of the Church, often drawing on the writings of the early Church Fathers to bridge the ancient faith with modern understanding.
He is the author or editor of over forty books, including The Lamb’s Supper, Hail, Holy Queen, First Comes Love, Letter and Spirit, Swear to God, Reasons to Believe, The Creed, The Fourth Cup, and Holy Is His Name. Many of his books have become staples in Catholic households, study groups, and seminaries.
In addition to his writing, Hahn is a highly sought-after speaker, having delivered thousands of lectures across the United States and abroad. He appears regularly on EWTN and has collaborated with Lighthouse Catholic Media to bring his teachings to an even broader audience.
Scott Hahn lives in Ohio with his wife Kimberly. They have six children and numerous grandchildren. Together, the Hahns continue to lead efforts in evangelization and Catholic education, embodying a lifelong commitment to deepening faith and understanding through Scripture and tradition.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews
July 23, 2019
I picked this up cheap on the Kindle during a daily deal at Amazon but never got around to reading it. Then my book club picked it and once I began, I was impressed at the depth with which each custom was covered. Partly that has to do with the connection to the biblical roots, as the subtitle says. Partly it is due to the way it is written, which is thoughtful while being very accessible.
Sometimes I was surprised by what I found in a custom I thought I thoroughly understood. Sometimes I was reminded of practices which I'd fallen out of, like intercessory prayer. I was often especially struck by the "Ponder in Your Heart" segment ending each custom, taken from the writing of saints, Church Fathers, the Catechism, or modern spiritual writers.
I had to get a print copy so I could mark my favorite parts for later reference. I read a custom a day which made a great devotional for 40 days. Definitely recommended.
Note: be sure you get the full book with all 40 customs. There is a special Augustine Institute version out there which only has 20 customs. I was sent that one by used book stores more than once until I bit the bullet and bought the hardcover.
Sometimes I was surprised by what I found in a custom I thought I thoroughly understood. Sometimes I was reminded of practices which I'd fallen out of, like intercessory prayer. I was often especially struck by the "Ponder in Your Heart" segment ending each custom, taken from the writing of saints, Church Fathers, the Catechism, or modern spiritual writers.
I had to get a print copy so I could mark my favorite parts for later reference. I read a custom a day which made a great devotional for 40 days. Definitely recommended.
Note: be sure you get the full book with all 40 customs. There is a special Augustine Institute version out there which only has 20 customs. I was sent that one by used book stores more than once until I bit the bullet and bought the hardcover.
January 23, 2011
Having grown up RC (and now being Protestant), I find myself wondering from time to time just what it all meant. Reading Hahn does not convert me back, but it does enlighten me about where I was, what lay behind my grandparents' and parents' faith, and even better understanding where some of my friends are moving today. Hahn is an interesting author as he applies his many years of Protestant insight (he converted to the RC faith during grad school I believe) and instruction into (of all places!) the RC world. It's a fascinating meld, to say the least. Not always convinced about his conclusions, I still find the journey instructive in a number of ways.
April 4, 2014
This is a wonderful resource book, best read in small doses. Hahn restrains himself to good effect: there are no corny puns here, as there are in the chapter headings of some of his other books.
What catapults this effort into five-star territory for me is the homework that Hahn did to supplement his own words with quotes from other Catholics through the ages, each of whom closes a chapter by offering wisdom that readers are encouraged to "Ponder in your heart."
That organization is a stroke of genius, affirming the Communion of Saints and casting a welcome sidelight on various points that Hahn himself has just made.
What catapults this effort into five-star territory for me is the homework that Hahn did to supplement his own words with quotes from other Catholics through the ages, each of whom closes a chapter by offering wisdom that readers are encouraged to "Ponder in your heart."
That organization is a stroke of genius, affirming the Communion of Saints and casting a welcome sidelight on various points that Hahn himself has just made.
March 22, 2018
Another Scott Hahn book with lots of insights about the different customs in the Catholic Church. Always Church is being attacked by various forces because of her age old customs and practices. Many often says these practices have no roots, these are just develeopment of middle ages. Here is the answer for such questions. This books dealt with 40 parctices in the Church and how it developed in the Church and its roots in the Bible. It is a good book for Bible Catholics.
March 3, 2018
While reading this book I kept on humming one of Journey's late-period classics, "Signs Of Life," in my head. The connection was not as random as one would think, as just like the music of Journey, this book has to be enjoyed with a firm sense of its ridiculousness and glorious cheesiness. Taken on a rational level, this book simply cannot be taken seriously as it demonstrates the most thoroughgoing mastery of the non sequitor of any book I have read for quite some time. Clearly, this book was written to a Catholic audience whose knowledge of the Bible and of biblical worship is at best slight, as a way of calming their concerns that their beloved and superstitious and heathen-based traditions are something that God disapproves of. One simply cannot approve of the author's reasoning or agree with even a bit of it unless one comes at it from a Catholic perspective because those who deny the magisterium of the Roman Catholic Church [1] will find virtually nothing here to see as connecting tissue from random quotes of the Bible taken out of context and wrenched completely out of place.
At just a bit over 250 pages, this book is extremely fast to read, surprisingly so to me given my general unfamiliarity with the biblical interpretation one can find from a Catholic perspective, and a big part of that is that very soon after starting this book I figured it would be pointless to get upset at the author's woeful understanding of scripture and his atrocious logical skills and just laugh at it, which saved me at least a couple hours of frustration. After an introduction where the author discusses his own fatal attraction to the ritual and mummery of popery, the book gives 40 Catholic devotional practices divided into nine parts. The first part looks at the beginning of life (?) with such customs as holy water (1), making the sign of the cross (2), baptism (3), the mass (4), and guardian angels (5). After this, the author looks at aspects of time, like the church's calendar (6), Lent and Easter (7), Advent and Christmas (8), and Novenas (9). After this, the author looks at some daily superstitions/habits like one's posture (10), morning offering (11), prayers of aspiration (12), the angelus (13), saying grace at meals (14), and undergoing examination of one's conscience (15). Some brief life lessons follow, like bible study (16), spiritual reading (17), and retreat (18) after which the author looks at stages of life like confirmation (19), marriage (20), priesthood (21), and the anointing of the sick (22). The author indulges his interest in ritual as the "spice of life" by talking about incense (23), candles (24), sacred images (25), relics (26), and fasting and mortification (27). After this comes a discussion of aspects of a supposedly abundant life like confession (28), indulgences (29), the intercession of the saints (30), pilgrimage (31), the presence of God (32) and almsgiving (33). The author indulges his romantic spiritual love in talking about the Trinity (34), rosary (35), scapulars and medals (36), mental prayer (37), and a reverence for the tabernacle (38). The book closes with a discussion of preparing for death (39) and praying for the dead (40) where the author makes the faux pas of claiming 2 Maccabees as scripture.
It does not take much reading of the book at all to see that the author has almost zero interest in living as Christ lived and following the ways of God as they are said in the Bible. Purely and simply, this book is as eisegetical attempt to force an unbiblical Roman Catholic meaning into some convenient texts. The author also spends far more time talking about the practice of popes and various other noted figures in Hellenistic Christianity than looking at biblical practice and behavior. There are admittedly at least a few cases where the author can make a plausible case for the existence of, say, guardian angels for believers based on the story of Peter's deliverance from prison in Acts, but these moments of plausible explanation are few and far between. As a thoughtful exegesis of Scripture and a demonstration of the book's point at exploring biblical roots for godly and proper Christianity, this book is a total failure. As a hilarious book to provide the non-Catholic reader with occasional fits of uncontrollable sardonic laughter, this book is comedy gold. More seriously, this book is of use generally to see how Catholics defend their own traditions and rituals, which often bears no close resemblance whatsoever to the sort of worship that God requires of believers, not even a slight familial resemblance at most points.
[1] See, for example:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2018...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2017...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2017...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2017...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2015...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2014...
At just a bit over 250 pages, this book is extremely fast to read, surprisingly so to me given my general unfamiliarity with the biblical interpretation one can find from a Catholic perspective, and a big part of that is that very soon after starting this book I figured it would be pointless to get upset at the author's woeful understanding of scripture and his atrocious logical skills and just laugh at it, which saved me at least a couple hours of frustration. After an introduction where the author discusses his own fatal attraction to the ritual and mummery of popery, the book gives 40 Catholic devotional practices divided into nine parts. The first part looks at the beginning of life (?) with such customs as holy water (1), making the sign of the cross (2), baptism (3), the mass (4), and guardian angels (5). After this, the author looks at aspects of time, like the church's calendar (6), Lent and Easter (7), Advent and Christmas (8), and Novenas (9). After this, the author looks at some daily superstitions/habits like one's posture (10), morning offering (11), prayers of aspiration (12), the angelus (13), saying grace at meals (14), and undergoing examination of one's conscience (15). Some brief life lessons follow, like bible study (16), spiritual reading (17), and retreat (18) after which the author looks at stages of life like confirmation (19), marriage (20), priesthood (21), and the anointing of the sick (22). The author indulges his interest in ritual as the "spice of life" by talking about incense (23), candles (24), sacred images (25), relics (26), and fasting and mortification (27). After this comes a discussion of aspects of a supposedly abundant life like confession (28), indulgences (29), the intercession of the saints (30), pilgrimage (31), the presence of God (32) and almsgiving (33). The author indulges his romantic spiritual love in talking about the Trinity (34), rosary (35), scapulars and medals (36), mental prayer (37), and a reverence for the tabernacle (38). The book closes with a discussion of preparing for death (39) and praying for the dead (40) where the author makes the faux pas of claiming 2 Maccabees as scripture.
It does not take much reading of the book at all to see that the author has almost zero interest in living as Christ lived and following the ways of God as they are said in the Bible. Purely and simply, this book is as eisegetical attempt to force an unbiblical Roman Catholic meaning into some convenient texts. The author also spends far more time talking about the practice of popes and various other noted figures in Hellenistic Christianity than looking at biblical practice and behavior. There are admittedly at least a few cases where the author can make a plausible case for the existence of, say, guardian angels for believers based on the story of Peter's deliverance from prison in Acts, but these moments of plausible explanation are few and far between. As a thoughtful exegesis of Scripture and a demonstration of the book's point at exploring biblical roots for godly and proper Christianity, this book is a total failure. As a hilarious book to provide the non-Catholic reader with occasional fits of uncontrollable sardonic laughter, this book is comedy gold. More seriously, this book is of use generally to see how Catholics defend their own traditions and rituals, which often bears no close resemblance whatsoever to the sort of worship that God requires of believers, not even a slight familial resemblance at most points.
[1] See, for example:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2018...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2017...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2017...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2017...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2015...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2014...
March 2, 2019
I read the abridged version of this book, which has only 20 chapters. It was given out for free at our parish.
As a recent convert to Catholicism, I wouldn’t recommend this book to a Protestant who is looking for answers. The chapters barely scratch the surface. However, it is a wonderful devotion for a Catholic looking to know more about their faith.
As a recent convert to Catholicism, I wouldn’t recommend this book to a Protestant who is looking for answers. The chapters barely scratch the surface. However, it is a wonderful devotion for a Catholic looking to know more about their faith.
October 25, 2025
Signs of Life by Scott Hahn feels like being welcomed home - incense in the air, candlelight flickering, Scripture open on the table. Hahn writes with that unmistakable warmth and joy that makes even the most ordinary Catholic customs shimmer with divine meaning.
This is a book about the sacred in the everyday. About holy water on your fingertips, the sign of the cross whispered before a meal, the rhythm of the rosary beads slipping through your hands. Hahn doesn’t just explain these practices - he breathes life into them. He shows how each gesture, each feast, each prayer is a signpost pointing us back to Christ and the Church that guards His mysteries.
What I love most is Hahn’s tone - scholarly but never dry, deeply theological yet brimming with heart. His chapters on the sacraments and the saints are especially luminous: rooted in Scripture, steeped in history, and alive with joy. There’s a tenderness here, a love for the Church that feels contagious. You finish each section wanting to pray, to kneel, to participate more fully in the ancient beauty of our faith.
If The Lamb’s Supper unveiled the Mass as heaven on earth, Signs of Life reveals the daily liturgy of being Catholic - the gestures, the seasons, the blessings we often take for granted. It’s catechesis wrapped in poetry, theology offered like bread and wine.
A book to read slowly, with a pen in hand and a heart open to grace.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - reverent, radiant, and full of the joy of belonging to something eternal.
This is a book about the sacred in the everyday. About holy water on your fingertips, the sign of the cross whispered before a meal, the rhythm of the rosary beads slipping through your hands. Hahn doesn’t just explain these practices - he breathes life into them. He shows how each gesture, each feast, each prayer is a signpost pointing us back to Christ and the Church that guards His mysteries.
What I love most is Hahn’s tone - scholarly but never dry, deeply theological yet brimming with heart. His chapters on the sacraments and the saints are especially luminous: rooted in Scripture, steeped in history, and alive with joy. There’s a tenderness here, a love for the Church that feels contagious. You finish each section wanting to pray, to kneel, to participate more fully in the ancient beauty of our faith.
If The Lamb’s Supper unveiled the Mass as heaven on earth, Signs of Life reveals the daily liturgy of being Catholic - the gestures, the seasons, the blessings we often take for granted. It’s catechesis wrapped in poetry, theology offered like bread and wine.
A book to read slowly, with a pen in hand and a heart open to grace.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - reverent, radiant, and full of the joy of belonging to something eternal.
April 9, 2019
I recognize that not everyone is as avid a reader as I am [...]. But even I am sometimes less inclined to read the things I need to read - [...]. So I have to remind myself every now and then that reading requires discipline.
Spiritual reading, especially, is a discipline.
Really interesting book that gives a deeper meaning to practices that I've always taken for granted.
Spiritual reading, especially, is a discipline.
Really interesting book that gives a deeper meaning to practices that I've always taken for granted.
December 29, 2024
Who am I to give this man 3 stars? But if I were to dare… I just wasn’t very interested in the topics he chose to write about. I bet this book would be awesome for a new Catholic though. I really enjoyed the chapter on relics, but I still don’t understand indulgences. One of the Church’s great mysteries I suppose. Scott is a very learned man and I desires his knowledge.
November 15, 2020
Covers everything from sacraments to theological points with practical applications to various devotions. Reasons for and history both.
September 7, 2017
It took me more than a month to get through this one, which was good and bad. On the one hand, nonfiction can be best read slowly to give the reader time to absorb the words and content. On the other hand, I wasn't usually closing the book because I wanted to think about something but because my eyes were starting to glaze over. Some of the sections are just very dry with little to say. Others are better. I do believe I learned from this book and that was my goal. I just don't think I learned 40 things.
July 17, 2016
I just didn't feel like his book delivered as promised. Instead of describing historical roots of these practices in many cases it merely turns into an exhortation to practice these things themselves. Which, OK that's interesting, but the cover promises biblical roots. In some cases, the passages cited are far from self evidently relating to the Catholic practice as written.
February 9, 2023
I really enjoyed reading this one. It cleared up a few questions I still had about certain doctrines I always grew up confused by.
I’m only giving it 4 stars because I wish it would’ve gone into a little more detail in a few chapters, and some of the scriptures were sited incorrectly (i.e. Isaiah 1:13 on pg. 158 and 1 Corinthians 11:1 on pg. 200.) I like to read scripture in the full context of their chapter when mentioned, so it was hard looking these up when they were typed wrong.
But still, this book really delighted me, and made me appreciate certain things about the faith more. I will probably end up reading more of his works.
I’m only giving it 4 stars because I wish it would’ve gone into a little more detail in a few chapters, and some of the scriptures were sited incorrectly (i.e. Isaiah 1:13 on pg. 158 and 1 Corinthians 11:1 on pg. 200.) I like to read scripture in the full context of their chapter when mentioned, so it was hard looking these up when they were typed wrong.
But still, this book really delighted me, and made me appreciate certain things about the faith more. I will probably end up reading more of his works.
July 15, 2025
Super informative, highly recommend! I love Hahn’s writing style, super easy to read and yet I learn so much.
July 3, 2019
Scott Hahn provides valuable insight to Catholic customs in citing the Biblical roots of those customs. What was interesting in reading the book is how it brought back reminders of what I learned when I was a youngster growing up in a Roman Catholic family, serving Mass, and attending Catholic services. It also refreshed my thoughts about the personal actions I can take moving forward.
I believe this is a MUST READ for current Catholics and for those who may have fallen away from the Church for whatever reason.
I believe this is a MUST READ for current Catholics and for those who may have fallen away from the Church for whatever reason.
November 6, 2013
I have had the pleasure of watching Dr Scott Hahn on EWTN as he explains Catholic beliefs. So when I purchased this book, it was almost as if I could hear his voice reading it to me! Dr Hahn explains many Catholic beliefs and customs in a way Protestants can understand. As he was once Protestant himself, he knows what Protestants believe and how it differs from Catholic Doctrine. If you would like to know more about your Catholic brothers and sisters in Christ, this would be a good book with which to start your research.
July 5, 2010
As a young Catholic I am always looking for answers to questions about my faith. Due to the transition in religious education (from a "do-it-because-it's-always-been-done" to a "here's-why-we-do-it" mindset), it seems more information is available to help me understand my faith. This book is a fabulous resource. It is easy to read and satisfactorily explains the "why" behind traditions and beliefs in the Catholic church. I have saved this book with the rest of my useful Catholic resources:).
August 26, 2015
It is pretty amazing to me what Scott Hahn has packed into very succinct, 3-5 page discussions of Catholic customs and beliefs. Such great descriptions and information in such a brief presentation style. Each of the sections also includes a meditation or short writing from a Church Father or Pope that are good to ponder as well.
I highly recommend this book for non-Catholics and Catholics alike. It is packed with great information, and is very readable and useful!
I highly recommend this book for non-Catholics and Catholics alike. It is packed with great information, and is very readable and useful!
September 11, 2013
Absolutely fantastic look at Catholic customs. Nearly every major question a Catholic (or a Protestant/Orthodox) might have about Catholic practice is treated in brief. My only complaint is that some of Hahn's linkages to "Biblical Roots" are not especially helpful. Nonetheless, I have found it to an essential part of my Christian library.
August 3, 2011
Scott Hahn always does a good job of explaining the Catholic truths from a deep Biblical and historical basis. The traditions and customs outlined in the book show the richness of the Catholic faith and help us to live out a faith that has many dimensions.
December 2, 2016
Scott Hahn is an amazing writer. He wrote about 40 different Catholic customs & why they are our customs. Everything from holy water, to angels, to confession, to praying for the dead. I learned lots of things from this book and can't wait to read more by him.
June 28, 2023
Hahn examines 20 Catholic traditions and customs to explain their Biblical origins and their value in contemporary practice. While I was familiar with a great deal of this information, Hahn also included a lot of things that I didn't know. My personal favorite chapters were on the Sign of the Cross, the rosary, and guardian angels - things I hold dear anyway, but Hahn gave me even more to ponder and appreciate. This is an abridged version of this book, but I may go back and read the longer book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 30, 2018
Excellent compilation of short essays detailing the sacramentals and customs in Catholic life from the chrism oil used in baptisms, confirmation, and anointings to the “last things” (death, judgment, heaven, hell). The author provides a history for each and well as suggestions for further thought and possible integration into one’s life. A wonderful resource for Catholics or those discerning the faith.
June 9, 2021
I really enjoyed this book by Scott Hahn. The chapters are short, and easy to read. The Catholic church is often accused of being un-Biblical, and this book just punches through this argument. So many things that Catholics do and use - holy water, the Sacraments, Purgatory, etc, are all in the Bible. This is not an exhaustive instruction - entire books have been written on the topic of each chapter, but this was a beautiful into into why we do what we do. I really appreciated that he closes each chapter with a writing selection from a Pope, or an early church Father. Seeing how those who lived right after the Apostolic age understood Scripture and what they believed is so enlightening.
December 20, 2021
Scott Hahn is one of the greatest Catholic SCholars of our time. THis book nicely shares the reason with enthusiasm that makes you just want to go out and "do the right thing." I learned a lot in reading this as well as getting motivation to continue to learn and do.
June 15, 2018
Made for an excellent audiobook, but I appreciated having the physical copy on hand for reference. As usual, Hahn is both thorough, succinct, and captivating with each chapter.
January 17, 2020
Easy to understand yet beautifully written, clear and useful explanations on core Catholic practices.
November 1, 2022
Great read! In-depth but not too dense. Has straightforward chapter titles so you can read the catholic topics most of interest to you, if you don’t want to read it cover-to-cover.
June 7, 2024
I wish it had gone more in-depth on each tradition. Things just seemed a little light.
February 24, 2021
Wonderful cathecetical reading
I am a cradle Catholic and I learned so much from Dr Hahn in this book about my faith. He writes about deep theology so that a laymen (me) will understand and can ponder in our heart. I am so glad I got this book and I highly recommend it. I have already recommended it to friends.
I am a cradle Catholic and I learned so much from Dr Hahn in this book about my faith. He writes about deep theology so that a laymen (me) will understand and can ponder in our heart. I am so glad I got this book and I highly recommend it. I have already recommended it to friends.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews