Scott Hahn's book is both an enjoyable and educational read for Catholics interested in a brush up on Catholic traditions and their relevance in today's world. Hahn, author and professor of theology and Scripture at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio, handpicked 40 Catholic traditions to explore and provided a simple, well-written meditation for each tradition.
The meditations, as Hahn explains in the introduction of the book, are not the complex, overly theological definitions one might expect from a professor of theology. Instead, they are his reflections "borrowed from this saint and that pope." These meditations make alive and make relevant the oftentimes forgotten traditions of Catholicism.
For example, Hahn discusses why Catholics dip their hands in holy water when entering and when leaving church. Many know the act is a blessing, but Hahn reminds readers that the act is a baptismal renewal and a refreshment from evil.
Amid his many meditations about the church calendar, Lent and Easter, Advent and Christmas to name a few, he writes about the biblical tradition of guardian angels. Sometimes in vogue -- and sometimes passe -- depending on pop culture's take at the moment about these mysterious entities, guardian angels guide, protect and assist Catholics throughout church history. Hahn writes that guardian angels are always among Catholics -- as each is assigned a guardian angel -- and they fill the pews at church to peak attendance.
"The angels are there (at Mass), as is evident even in the words of the Mass: 'And so with the choirs of angels we sing: 'Holy, holy, holy ...' The Mass itself cries out for us to be aware of our angels," he writes in the book.
Interestingly, Hahn doesn't discount simple pleas for guardian angels to help find a parking spot or to survive a traffic jam in one piece.
"The angels follow after God's pattern of governance: They sometimes give us what we want so that we'll learn to ask for what we need," he writes.
Hahn also discusses how fasting and mortification are not outmoded forms of Catholic expression because "as long as we follow Christ we will have to deny our bodies the things they want." That covers fasting to premarital sex to drinking too much and smoking.
Simply put, Hahn makes sense out the mystical, symbolically rich traditions of the Catholic faith. His book is an easy but informative read, and perfect for the curious Catholic willing to learn.
Lordan is former assistant international editor of Catholic News Service and contributor to Catholic Radio Weekly.
Buy this book on Amazon.com!
