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Signs of Life: 40 Catholic Customs and Their Biblical Roots [Hardcover]

Scott Hahn
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (49 customer reviews)

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Book Description

November 3, 2009
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.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Lifelong Catholics realize that it usually takes a convert to help us appreciate and better understand the customs and practices we too often take for granted. Scott Hahn does just that in this immensely reable yet substantive loving look at Catholic prayer, devotions, and beliefs." — Most Reverend Timothy M. Dolan, Archbishop of New York

"There is genius in Catholicism and once again Scott Hahn unveils it like the masterpiece that it is. Every chapter of Signs of Life is filled with insights and practices that will change the way you live your life and celebrate your faith."
— Matthew Kelly, New York Times bestselling author of Rediscovering Catholicism and The Rhythm of Life

"Things done for too long can become a habit — and habits have a way of losing their meaning.  In this long awaited treasure of a book, Scott Hahn reveals the historical and biblical roots of so many Catholic practices.  Finally Catholics will not only know what to do, but why they do it." — Raymond Arroyo, New York Times bestselling author and host of EWTN's The World Over Live

"Professor Hahn's purpose is both devotional and apologetic.  In showing how Catholic popular piety is scripturally grounded, he explains practices that shape Catholic life and help us grow in grace.  This is a book that will be helpful to individuals and to the Church as a whole." — Francis Cardinal George, OMI, Archbishop of Chicago

"For decades non-Catholics and even some perplexed Catholics have questioned a number of the beliefs and especially the devotional acts of the Catholic Church. Scott Hahn addresses these questions in Signs of Life, producing crystal-clear explanations of the Church's traditional practices. His own background as a convert makes him the perfect person to write this book." — Fr. Benedict J. Groeschel, CFR

"Scott Hahn has given us a great contribution in connecting the scriptural and traditional foundations of Catholic devotions and practices. This book will enrich both the spiritual life and theological understanding of every reader." — Fr. Michael Scanlan, TOR, chancellor of Franciscan University of Steubenville and author of What Does God Want?

"One of the best ways to break free from spiritual dryness is to learn precisely why we do things. Dr. Hahn's discussion of 'why Catholics do what they do' is thoroughly researched and thoroughly enjoyable. It can help lifelong Catholics appreciate the treasures they've always had, and help non-Catholics appreciate what they may only have seen from afar. Read this book for your own enrichment, but buy one to give away and help someone discover the richness of the Catholic 'Signs of Life'." — Marcus Grodi, host of EWTN's The Journey Home

"Scott Hahn gets me excited about my faith. He shares the biblical truth of our deep tradition in a simple way. Signs of Life gives us hope that all Christians can unite as ONE Catholic faith." — Justin Fatica, author of Hard as Nails

"Learning more about our Catholic life and practices is always a joy. Professor Scott Hahn, in his new book Signs of Life, explains forty Catholic customs and practices as pathways to a richer spiritual life. He uses a unique approach, interweaving these familiar realities with the different stages of the life of a Catholic, highlighting their biblical roots. This handbook should prove very useful to both individuals and faith-sharing groups seeking a deeper understanding of Catholic devotion."
— Most Reverend Donald W. Wuerl, Archbishop of Washington

"In Signs of Life, Scott Hahn has provided a wonderful resource of Catholic belief and practice, as well as an excellent reference for Catholics who want to understand their Faith and its traditions more deeply. Once again, Dr. Hahn has masterfully used his great teaching skills to invite his readers to a richer understanding of Catholic faith, tradition and practice."
— Most Reverend David A. Zubik, Bishop of Pittsburgh

About the Author

Scott Hahn is founder and president of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology (SalvationHistory.com). A professor at Franciscan University of Steubenville, he also holds the Pope Benedict XVI Chair of Biblical Theology at St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. He is the author of many books, including The Lamb’s Supper (Doubleday), Hail, Holy Queen (Doubleday), Kinship by Covenant (Yale), and A Pocket Guide to the Bible (Our Sunday Visitor). His academic work has appeared in Catholic Biblical Quarterly, Journal of Biblical Literature, and Currents in Biblical Research. Dr. Hahn is editor of the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible and Letter & Spirit: A Catholic Journal of Biblical Theology. He lives in Steubenville, Ohio.

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 288 pages
  • Publisher: Doubleday Religion; First Edition edition (November 3, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0385519494
  • ISBN-13: 978-0385519496
  • Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 1.2 x 8.7 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (49 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #33,579 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dr. Scott Hahn is the author (or editor) of over forty books, including best-selling titles like Rome Sweet Home, The Lamb's Supper, Hail Holy Queen, A Father Who Keeps His Promises, Lord Have Mercy, First Comes Love, Swear to God, Understanding Our Father, Scripture Matter, Spirit and Life, Understanding the Scripture, Catholic Bible Dictionary, Many Are Called, Signs of Life, Reasons to Believe, Answering the New Atheism, Ordinary Work Extraordinary Grace, and Living the Mysteries. His academic publications include Kinship by Covenant: A Canonical Approach to the Fulfillment of God's Saving Promises (Anchor Yale Bible Reference Library), The Kingdom of God as Liturgical Empire: A Theological Commentary on 1-2 Chronicles, Covenant and Communion: The Biblical Theology of Pope Benedict XVI, Letter and Spirit: From Written Text to Living Word in the Liturgy, along with a forthcoming title, Politicizing the Bible: The Roots of Historical Criticism and the Secularization of Scripture (1300-1700). He is the editor of the academic periodical, Letter & Spirit: A Journal of Catholic Biblical Theology, and co-editor of the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible.

An exceptionally popular speaker and teacher, Dr. Scott Hahn has delivered thousands of popular talks and academic lectures, nationally and internationally, on a wide range of topics related to Scripture, Theology and the Catholic faith. Hundreds of these presentations have been recorded and distributed by Catholic Lighthouse, The St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, and St. Joseph Communications. He has appeared on hundreds of television programs on the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN), where he has also been the regular host and presenter on several popular 13-week series (including Our Fathers Plan, The Lamb's Super, and Genesis to Jesus).

In 2012, Dr. Hahn was awarded the Fr. Michael Scanlan Chair of Biblical Theology and the New Evangelization at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, where he has taught since 1990. He is the founder and president of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology. In 2005, he was awarded the Pope Benedict XVI Chair of Biblical Theology and Liturgical Proclamation at St. Vincent Seminary (Latrobe PA), which he held through 2011. In 2002, he was awarded Pio Cardinal Laghi Chair of Catholic Theology at the Pontifical Seminary Josephinum (Columbus OH), which he held through 2004.

Scott graduated from Grove City College in 1979 with his BA in Theology, Philosophy and Economics (magna cum laude). He graduated from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in 1982 with his M.Div (summa cum laude). Scott received his Ph.D. in Theology from Marquette University in 1995 (summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa). He has ten years of youth and pastoral ministry experience in Protestant congregations in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Massachusetts, Kansas and Virginia (1975-85), and is a former Professor of Theology at the Dominion Theological Institute (Dominion, VA, now Chesapeake Theological Seminary). He was ordained in 1982 at Trinity Presbyterian Church (Fairfax VA). He entered the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil, 1986.

Dr. Scott Hahn was born in 1957, and has been married to Kimberly since 1979. They live in Steubenville Ohio and have six children and seven grandchildren.

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Customer Reviews

Truly, this is a mind-opening book for anyone who wants to understand the Catholic faith more completely. Antoinette Klein  |  26 reviewers made a similar statement
I like all Scott Hahn's books - but this one is a different style! Diane Bettesworth  |  8 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
98 of 102 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Another smash hit from Hahn December 22, 2009
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
What a phenomenal book! I tend to rubber stamp just about anything from Hahn. But with this particular book I had to question, as a lifleong Catholic and as a catechist, whether or not I was really going to get anything out of it. Considering the current price cut, I said, "What the heck?" and figured I'd just hand it on to someone else if it turned out to be a sleeper for me. Well, I've read about 15 of the 40 chapters thus far and I think I've learned something new in every single chapter!! The book is educational but it's also "devotional" too, both in terms of the style of Hahn's writing and the brief reflection he places at the end of the chapter, after the text. Whether you're a lifelong Catholic or completely new to the faith in some way, consider it as a daily chapter-by-chapter read for this coming Lent!
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30 of 31 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Passion renewed January 26, 2010
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
For many, sacraments and sacramentals seem little more than superstitious baggage of the middle ages easily discarded by the modern enlightened Christian. Dr. Hahn lets us know what rich blessings we forgo with such an attitude. In place of misunderstanding that leads to indifference (or even hostility) toward these disciplines, Dr. Hahn provides biblical and historical/traditional roots to the disciplines and in the process gives us a renewed sense of devotion to their practice. Practiced in their proper context, these devotional disciplines can lead to a closer communion with Jesus.

In the introduction to this work Dr. Hahn provides a brief definition of sacraments and sacramentals in order that the reader understands the difference and the significance of both. The work is then divided into phases of life that remind us of these disciplines: birth, life progresses in time, each day in the life of the Christian, disciplines through the entirety of life, significant stages in life, enjoyment of life, the abundant life, devotions to the saints we love, and the end of life. Each phase provides brief descriptions of one or more devotional practices describing their biblical and historical roots in the Church. On my own spiritual journey, I was amazed at the number of these practices already forming in the first and second century. Dr. Hahn has found the same continuity with the Apostles and with scripture.

To his credit, Dr. Hahn does not shrink from such difficult topics as indulgences. And, he does not describe the practices in such a generic manner as to lose the context of the Church as their proper home. The discerning reader wishing special depth on a particular topic will want to look elsewhere for that detail. What Dr. Hahn has provided here is not depth but breadth of understanding that gives us the big picture view we need in order to see these devotions as not just tacked on niceties but as living and essential elements in the Church. If you are looking for the greater depth, the author's journal of theological studies under the title of _Letter & Spirit_ is very highly recommended.

If you want to renew the passion in your devotion to Christ, this is a good place to find some tools to help you renew that passion. Very well done.
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I don't know who would benefit most from this book: cradle Catholics who have become stagnant in their worship practices or non-Catholics seeking to understand why Catholics do what they do. No matter which group you might fit into, there's plenty of enriching information
for everyone in this book.

Hahn is able to take 40 of the most common Catholic traditions and explain the Biblical foundation for the practice. He also includes information from leading theologians and first-hand accounts from his own experience. More than that, however, he concludes each chapter with a "Ponder in Your Heart" section which is great food for thought for the rest of your day. Because of this format, the book lends itself beautifully to a chapter-a-day meditation for Lent or any other 40 day period.

As a life-long Catholic and participant in numerous Catechism classes and Bible studies, I thought I knew it all. But Hahn opened my eyes and heart to the symbols of my Faith in ways I had never considered.

The customs he discusses are: Holy Water, the Sign of the Cross, Baptism, the Mass, Guardian Angels, the Liturgical Calendar, Lent and Easter, Advent and Christmas, Novenas, posture, Morning Offering, Prayers of Aspiration, the Angelus, Grace at Meals, Examination of Conscience, Bible Study, Spiritual Reading, Retreat, Confirmation, Marriage, Priesthood, Anointing of the Sick, Incense, Candles, Sacred Images, Relics, Fasting, Confession, Indulgences, Intercession of the Saints, Pilgrimages, the Presence of God, Almsgiving, The Trinity, the Rosary, Scapulars and Medals, Mental Prayer, the Tabernacle, Preparation for Death, and Prayers for the Dead.

Truly, this is a mind-opening book for anyone who wants to understand the Catholic faith more completely.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Great!
Great chapter snippets on understanding the meaning behind Catholic customs... Why do we do the sign of the cross? Why do we have holy water? Answerssss :) And Dr. Read more
Published 13 days ago by Ana982
5.0 out of 5 stars Another great book by this author
Scott Hahn never fails to deliver. A wonderful read and this is another wonderful way to enrich your Catholic Faith.
Published 26 days ago by L. Schell
5.0 out of 5 stars Very Informative
For all who true belivers continuing in their journey with God, this book in truly one that will help you.
Published 27 days ago by maria garnica
4.0 out of 5 stars Good
Hahn always succeeds in delivering good sound reading about the Catholic Church. I would like to see him write another book on this line for more customs.
Published 2 months ago by Jnsen
5.0 out of 5 stars Must for All Catholics
With over 2,000 years, there is a lot to discuss and learn about Catholicism. Hahn does a great job at getting to the big topics in a very simple way. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Brandon Harrison
2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing
I bought this book to learn more about the Catholic faith, but this book wasn't very helpful. The author seems to have taken a very random approach to deciding which aspects of... Read more
Published 5 months ago by MBRWFY
5.0 out of 5 stars I wish I had learned this in Catholic grade school
I wish I had learned the meaning behind these customs in Catholic grade school. Scott Hahn does a great job of explaining the meaning and background. I highly recommend this book. Read more
Published 5 months ago by GoddessofhisWorld
5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Read
This is a wonderful book; it is well written and an enjoyable read. This would be a great book to buy for those who are newly converted to the Catholic faith, but it would offer... Read more
Published 5 months ago by Kimberly Watt
5.0 out of 5 stars Another Great Hahn Book!
I totally enjoyed this book, and re-read it often. It's one of those books that re-inforces everything in my heart about Catholicism.
Published 6 months ago by Louise Ann Benjamin
3.0 out of 5 stars Good read for "cradle Catholics"
The discussion of Saints and veneration vs worship issue, the discussion of sacramentals such as holy water are the best chapters. Read more
Published 6 months ago by C. G. Durand
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here is the table of contents for "signs of life"
Thanks for providing this info. I sure wish this book was available on Kindle.
Oct 18, 2009 by Betty C |  See all 2 posts
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