Rome Sweet Home is an interestingly told story of a Journey of Faith by a couple who are already highly committed Christians. The story is told from the perspective of both spouses in turn. Because of the depth of their search, it is also nearly a catechism. Highly recommend for those wanting to know more about the Catholic Church and those in RCIA or teaching RCIA. Over the years my wife and I have personally bought and distributed more than 65 copies.

I would say that this book is extremely good for us as a beginner in finding Catholic faith. Because the contents itself is very easily to understand.
Since my background studies were in Protestant, I would like to recommend this book for anyone who just or about to enter Catholic. I just had baptised in Catholic, I am very happy and also I found so many truth are being hide in Protestant teaching.
I would like to conclude that this book is a first book (preliminary) for understanding Catholic faith. Once finished this book, we could look into others like Karl Keating book and David B. Currie.

Thanks

Interesting, but rather preachy. I think it's a well written description of a 'coming of age' of a sorts...

Its a very intresting book to read... I was so taken up by the book, i even put candle at night to read while others were sleeping... As for me I love my Catholic Church. Even though many others think against it, I can see Jesus in every Sacrament, every Priest and I can see the invisible hand of God in everything... If you have to know the depth of Jesus you have to know the depth of Catholic Church... Come and taste it, not just in this book but in real life....

I loved this book. I bought it for my girlfriend, who is a protestant thinking of coming to the catholic church. It helped me realize and understand what she is going through with her family.

I read this book for my book club, but found it to answer many questions I was having (as a protestant married to a Catholic) about Catholicism. It is written in a down-to-earth way so that even I could understand it!

It's a good and also fairly quick read. I highly recommend it.

A single and interesting experience around human being and his need to go through the deep of his soul. A wonderfull withness of the dayly life and a sane relationship between a man and a woman.

The book arrived quickly after ordering. The perspective the book provides is that of a non-Catholic to begin with, which is interesting. The basis for the book is the Bible and there are plenty of references for those who doubt the accuracy of the book itself. Highly informative and makes me, as a Catholic, confident to spread the word.

The journey of faith is personal, yet it's fun to read about others searching, even if their approach, or where they end up, might be very different from one's own. "Rome Sweet Rome" has its moments, though I found Hahn's pedantic approach to conversion off-putting. Why are there so few negative reviews of the unbelievable amount of pure drivel this man has "mass" produced? Pun intended.

Words, sola scriptura, and authority matter a lot to Hahn. How can he consistently avoid writing about the Church's sex abuse scandals (how can so many Catholic theologians turn such a blind eye?), or, having studied Martin Luther, fail to address his infamous rants against Jews? Lutherans actually have been fairly open about this, especially the wise Kristal Stendahl. It would be a grace from God if all Christianity became more objective and honest about its history, thus allowing for real growth and real faith.

Hahn's self-importance precluded his waiting to convert to Catholicism until his wife became comfortable with this significant change and process. Unlike the suffering of the saints, Hahn couldn't humbly exercise patience and compassion towards his partner, but exhibited extraordinary vanity. His mantra should be, "I want, I want..." His desire for the Eucharist became his justification to break a marital promise/covenant (of course, misusing a scriptural passage to justify this action), leaving his wife to struggle on her own in an unfamiliar spiritual landscape that kept shifting under her feet. Kimberly Hahn's description of her pain was humble, and humorous. Her conversion experience, with its real challenges, appears to have been deeper than her husband's, thus the sections she wrote are more compelling. Opus Dei members assisted Hahn's adherence to the Church, while leaving his wife floundering spiritually and emotionally.

Like many who purchased Hahn's later books, I thought they might mirror real development of spirit as he learned about the early Catholic faith and its Judaic roots. Rather, Hahn bends Catholicism to fit a Protestant perspective, reinventing faith from an ivory tower built on a Babel of words. Real faith should be able to examine extremely difficult issues and find some way forward. While Hahn's scriptural quotations are usually accurate, his analysis and interpretation lack theological maturity. Hahn is not the best source for Catholic theology, his previous formation molded his perspective, and his misinformation is a serious theological issue for those seeking real faith. Yet his enthusiasm and sincerity pull thousands along, unquestioningly; there are few dissenting voices regarding Hahn.

In "Rome Sweet Rome," his vanity actually prompts him to brag about lingering in Pope John Paul II's private chapel, alone with the Pope, after the honor of being invited to a private mass. While the Pope knelt in prayer after all the other guests respectfully left, he was unaware that a lingerer remained to observe him. The Pope's private secretary had to hurriedly return to the private sanctum to collect the Lurking Hahn, who was busy enjoying his illicit thrill of being alone with Pope John Paul II. Perhaps this occurrence is one reason private masses with the Pope were since cancelled?

Others seeking a sincere, informed path in faith need to be provided another point of view. Having read many of Hahn's books (never again!), I feel obliged to warn others, as there are few critiques of Hahn's body of work and misrepresentations. Consistently, Hahn's scriptural quotations form a litany of words that obscure, rather than illuminate, truth, though he has quite the following.

I'd like to say some faith is better than no faith, and that if Hahn helps encourage people, fine. But faith has too often been horrifically misused in history, through bad ideas, to remain silent. Of course, Hahn is a fan of the fatuous Anglican writer N.T. Wright, another cultural relativist. Hahn was "convicted" to become a Catholic, and has found a wide audience, convicted to read his quantity of books, but theological bulk does not equal quality.

"Rome Sweet Rome" has its moments, though I found Hahn's pedantic approach to conversion off-putting. Words, sola scriptura, and authority matter a lot to Hahn. How can he consistently avoid writing about the Church's sex abuse scandals (how can so many Catholic theologians turn such a blind eye?), or fail to address Martin Luther's infamous rants against Jews? It would be a grace from God if all Christianity became more objective and honest about its history, thus allowing for real growth and real faith. Why are there so few negative reviews of the unbelievable amount of pure drivel this man has mass-produced?

Hahn's self-importance precluded his waiting to convert to Catholicism until his wife became comfortable with this significant change and process. Unlike the suffering of the saints, Hahn couldn't humbly exercise patience and compassion towards his partner, but exhibited extraordinary vanity. His mantra should be, "I want, I want..." His desire for the Eucharist became his justification to break a marital promise/covenant (of course, misusing a scriptural passage to justify this action), leaving his wife to struggle on her own in an unfamiliar spiritual landscape that kept shifting under her feet. Kimberly Hahn's description of her pain was humble, and humorous. Her conversion experience, with its real challenges, appears to have been deeper than her husband's, thus the sections she wrote are more compelling. Opus Dei members assisted Hahn's adherence to the Church, while leaving his wife floundering spiritually and emotionally.

Like many who purchased Hahn's later books, I thought they might mirror real development of spirit as he learned about the early Catholic faith and its Judaic roots. Rather, Hahn bends Catholicism to fit a Protestant perspective, reinventing faith from an ivory tower built on a Babel of words. Real faith should be able to examine extremely difficult issues and find some way forward. While Hahn's scriptural quotations are usually accurate, his analysis and interpretation lack theological maturity. Hahn is not the best source for Catholic theology, his previous formation molded his perspective, and his misinformation is a serious theological issue for those seeking real faith. Yet his enthusiasm and sincerity pull thousands along, unquestioningly; there are few dissenting voices regarding Hahn.

In "Rome Sweet Rome," his vanity actually prompts him to brag about lingering in Pope John Paul II's private chapel, alone with the Pope, after the honor of being invited to a private mass. While the Pope knelt in prayer after all the other guests respectfully left, he was unaware that a lingerer remained to observe him. The Pope's private secretary had to hurriedly return to the private sanctum to collect the Lurking Hahn, who was busy enjoying his illicit thrill of being alone with Pope John Paul II. Perhaps this occurrence is one reason private masses with the Pope were since cancelled?

Others seeking a sincere, informed path in faith need to be provided another point of view. Having read many of Hahn's books in the hope of discovering something special, I feel obliged to warn others, as there are few critiques of Hahn's body of work and misrepresentations. Consistently, Hahn's scriptural quotations form a litany of words that obscure, rather than illuminate, truth, though he has quite the following. I'd like to say some faith is better than no faith, and that if Hahn helps encourage people, fine. But faith has too often been horrifically misused in history, through bad ideas, to remain silent. Of course, Hahn is a fan of the fatuous Anglican writer N.T. Wright, another cultural relativist. Hahn was "convicted" to become a Catholic, and has found a wide audience, convicted to read his quantity of books, but theological bulk does not equal quality.

"Rome Sweet Rome" has its moments, though I found Hahn's pedantic approach to conversion off-putting. Words, sola scriptura, and authority matter a lot to Hahn. How can he consistently avoid writing about the Church's sex abuse scandals (how can so many Catholic theologians turn such a blind eye?), or fail to address Martin Luther's infamous rants against Jews? It would be a grace from God if all Christianity became more objective and honest about its history, thus allowing for real growth and real faith.

Hahn's self-importance precluded his waiting to convert to Catholicism until his wife became more comfortable with this significant change and process. Unlike the suffering of the saints, this man couldn't humbly exercise patience and compassion towards his partner. Hahn exhibits extraordinary vanity, his mantra should be, "I want, I want..." His desire for the Eucharist became his justification to break a marital promise/covenant (of course, misusing a scriptural passage to justify this action), leaving his wife to struggle on her own in an unfamiliar spiritual landscape that kept shifting under her feet. Kimberly Hahn's description of her pain was humble, and humorous. Her conversion experience, with its real challenges, appears to have been deeper than her husband's, thus the sections she wrote are more compelling.

Like many who purchased Hahn's later books, I thought they might mirror real development of spirit as he learned about the early Catholic faith and its Judaic roots. Rather, Hahn bends Catholicism to fit a Protestant perspective, reinventing faith from an ivory tower built on a Babel of words. There is a continuous lack of acknowledgment of the Church's ugly history of endorsing forced conversions, burning heretics, etc., as well as the Church's worldwide sex abuse cover-up. This is/was not just crimes perpetrated by priests, but enabled by the Church to the highest levels. Real faith should be able to examine these extremely difficult issues and then find some way forward. While Hahn's scriptural quotations are usually accurate, his analysis and interpretation lack theological maturity. Hahn is not the best source for Catholic theology, his previous formation molded and warped his perspective, and his misinformation is a serious theological issue for those seeking real Catholic faith. Yet his enthusiasm and sincerity pull thousands along, unquestioningly; there are few dissenting voices regarding Hahn.

Others seeking a sincere, informed path in faith need to be provided another point of view. Having read many of his books in the hope of discovering something special, I feel obliged to warn others, as there are few critiques of Hahn's body of work and misrepresentations. Consistently, Hahn's scriptural quotations form a litany of words that obscure, rather than illuminate, truth. Ironically, in Hahn's "Lamb's Supper," an abomination forcing the Protestant obsession with Revelation onto the body of Mass, he actually cites the then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger at the back of the book. Ratzinger warned that New Testament writings on Revelation, time, and the end of the world should not be taken literally. Hahn completely lacks historical perspective with his theological fluffy stuff. In the future, his books will be seen as popular and trite, not the classics he aspires to; he is not a latter day Aquinas or Augustine, though he has quite the following.

I'd like to say some faith is better than no faith, and that if Hahn helps encourage people, fine. But faith has too often been horrifically misused in history, through bad ideas, for me to remain silent on the phenomena that is Scott Hahn. In "Rome Sweet Rome," his vanity actually prompts him to brag about lingering in Pope John Paul II's private chapel, alone with the Pope, after the honor of being invited to a private mass. While the Pope knelt in prayer after all the other guests respectfully left, he was unaware that a lingerer remained to observe him. The Pope's private secretary had to hurriedly return to the private sanctum to collect the Lurking Hahn, who was busy enjoying his illicit thrill of being alone with Pope John Paul II. Perhaps this occurrence is one reason private masses with the Pope were since cancelled?

In his later books, I fundamentally disagree with Hahn's heavy-handed infusion of the Revelation into Mass, his ideas about Jews and other non-Christians, and his personal "divinization" through the club of Opus Dei (members actually assisted his adherence the Church while leaving his wife floundering spiritually and emotionally). Of course, Hahn is a fan of the fatuous Anglican writer N.T. Wright, another cultural relativist. Hahn was "convicted" to become a Catholic, and has found a wide audience, convicted to read his quantity of books, but theological bulk does not equal quality.

"Rome Sweet Rome" has its moments, though I found Hahn's pedantic approach to conversion off-putting. Words, sola scriptura, and authority matter a lot to Hahn. How can he consistently avoid writing about the Church's sex abuse scandals (how can so many Catholic theologians turn such a blind eye?), or fail to address Martin Luther's infamous rants against Jews? Hahn's self-importance precluded his waiting to convert to Catholicism until his wife became more comfortable with this significant change and process. Unlike the suffering of the saints, this man couldn't humbly exercise patience and compassion towards his partner. Hahn exhibits extraordinary vanity, his mantra should be, "I want, I want..." His desire for the Eucharist became his justification to break a marital promise/covenant (of course, misusing a scriptural passage to justify this action), leaving his wife to struggle on her own in an unfamiliar spiritual landscape that kept shifting under her feet. Kimberly Hahn's description of her pain was humble, and humorous. Her conversion experience, with its real challenges, appears to have been deeper than her husband's, thus the sections she wrote are more interesting.

Like many who purchased Hahn's later books, I thought they might mirror real development of spirit as he learned about the early Catholic faith and its Judaic roots. Rather, Hahn bends Catholicism to fit a Protestant perspective, reinventing faith from an ivory tower built on a Babel of words. There is a continuous lack of acknowledgment of the Church's ugly history of endorsing forced conversions, burning heretics, etc., as well as the Church's worldwide sex abuse cover-up. This is/was not just crimes perpetrated by priests, but enabled by the Church to the highest levels. Real faith should be able to examine these extremely difficult issues and then find some way forward. While Hahn's scriptural quotations are usually accurate, his analysis and interpretation lack theological maturity. Hahn is not the best source for Catholic theology, his previous formation molded and warped his perspective, and his misinformation is a serious theological issue for those seeking real Catholic faith. Yet his enthusiasm and sincerity pull thousands along, unquestioningly; there are few dissenting voices regarding Hahn.

Others seeking a sincere, informed path in faith need to be provided another point of view. Having read many of his books in the hope of discovering something special, I feel obliged to warn others, as there are few critiques of Hahn's body of work and misrepresentations. Consistently, Hahn's scriptural quotations form a litany of words that obscure, rather than illuminate, truth. Ironically, in Hahn's "Lamb's Supper," an abomination forcing the Protestant obsession with Revelation onto the body of Mass, he actually cites the then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger at the back of the book. Ratzinger warned that New Testament writings on Revelation, time, and the end of the world should not be taken literally. Hahn completely lacks historical perspective with his theological fluffy stuff. In the future, his books will be seen as popular and trite, not the classics he aspires to; he is not a latter day Aquinas or Augustine, though he has quite the following.

I'd like to say some faith is better than no faith, and that if Hahn helps encourage people, fine. But faith has too often been horrifically misused in history, through bad ideas, for me to remain silent on the phenomena that is Scott Hahn. In "Rome Sweet Rome," his vanity actually prompts hime to brag about lingering in Pope John Paul II's private chapel, alone with the Pope, after the honor of being invited to a private mass. While the Pope knelt in prayer after all the other guests respectfully left, he was unaware that a lingerer remained to observe him. The Pope's private secretary had to hurriedly return to the private sanctum to collect the Lurking Hahn, who was busy enjoying his illicit thrill of being alone with Pope John Paul II. Perhaps this occurrence is one reason private masses with the Pope were since cancelled?

In his later books, I fundamentally disagree with Hahn's heavy-handed infusion of the Revelation into Mass, his ideas about Jews and other non-Christians, and his personal "divinization" through the club of Opus Dei (members actually assisted his adherence the Church while leaving his wife floundering spiritually and emotionally). Of course, Hahn is a fan of the fatuous Anglican writer N.T. Wright, another cultural relativist. Hahn was "convicted" to become a Catholic, and has found a wide audience, convicted to read his quantity of books, but theological bulk does not equal quality.

"Rome Sweet Rome" has its moments, though I found Hahn's pedantic approach to conversion off-putting. Words, sola scriptura, and authority matter a lot to Hahn, yet, among other issues, his reading of Martin Luther never gave him a moment's pause in relation to Luther's infamous rants against Jews. Later, his self-importance precluded his waiting to convert to Catholicism until his wife became more comfortable with this significant change and process. Unlike the suffering of the saints, this man couldn't humbly exercise patience and compassion towards his partner. Hahn exhibits extraordinary vanity - his mantra should be, "I want, I want..." His desire for the Eucharist became his justification to break a marital promise/covenant (of course, misusing a scriptural passage), leaving his wife to struggle on her own in an unfamiliar spiritual landscape that kept shifting under her feet. Kimberly Hahn's description of her pain was humble, and humorous. Her conversion experience, with its real challenges, appears to have been deeper than her husband's, thus the sections she wrote are more interesting.

Like many who go on to purchase Hahn's later books, I hoped they would mirror real development of his spirit as he followed the Catholic faith. What a disappointment, as he bends Catholicism to fit a Protestant perspective, reinventing faith from an ivory tower built on a Babel of words. While Hahn's scriptural quotations are usually accurate, his analysis and interpretation lack theological maturity. Hahn is not the best source for Catholic theology, his previous formation molded and warped his perspective, and his misinformation is a serious theological issue for those seeking real Catholic faith. Yet his enthusiasm and sincerity pull thousands along, unquestioningly; there are few dissenting voices regarding Hahn.

Others seeking a sincere, informed path in faith need to be provided another point of view. Having read many of his books in the hope of discovering something special, I feel morally obliged to warn others, as there are few critiques of Hahn's body of work and misrepresentations. Consistently, Hahn's scriptural quotations form a litany of words that obscure, rather than illuminate, truth. Ironically, in Hahn's "Lamb's Supper," an abomination forcing the Protestant obsession with Revelation onto the body of Mass, he actually cites the then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger at the back of the book. Ratzinger warned that New Testament writings on Revelation, time, and the end of the world should not be taken literally. It is this Protestant literalism that fortunately, the Catholic Church, in her understanding of mystery, avoids. Hahn again and again repeats this mistake; he completely lacks historical perspective with his theological fluffy stuff. In the future, his books will be seen as popular and trite, not the classics he aspires to; he is not a latter day Aquinas or Augustine, though he has quite the following.

I'd like to say some faith is better than no faith, and that if Hahn helps encourage people, fine. But faith has too often been horrifically misused in history, through bad ideas, for me to remain silent on the phenomena that is Scott Hahn. In "Rome Sweet Rome," his vanity actually prompts hime to brag about lingering in Pope John Paul II's private chapel, alone with the Pope, after the honor of being invited to a private mass. While the Pope knelt in prayer after all the other guests respectfully left, he was unaware that a lingerer remained to observe him. The Pope's private secretary had to hurriedly return to the private sanctum to collect the Lurking Hahn, who was busy enjoying his illicit thrill of being alone with Pope John Paul II. Perhaps this occurrence is one reason private masses with the Pope were since cancelled?

In his later books, I fundamentally disagree with Hahn's heavy-handed infusion of the Revelation into Mass, his ideas about Jews and other non-Christians, and his personal "divinization" through the club of Opus Dei (members actually assisted his adherence the Church while leaving his wife floundering spiritually and emotionally). Of course, Hahn is a fan of the fatuous Anglican writer N.T. Wright, another cultural relativist. You may prefer Pope Benedict XVI's various books and other writings, to tackle issues. Hahn was "convicted" to become a Catholic, and has found a wide audience, convicted to read his quantity of books, but theological bulk does not equal quality.

Unlike his later books, for the most part I enjoyed "Rome Sweet Rome," though I found Hahn's pedantic approach to conversion off-putting. Hahn's overblown sense of self-importance precluded his waiting to convert until his wife became more comfortable with this significant change and process. Unlike the suffering of the saints, this man couldn't humbly exercise patience and compassion towards his partner. Kimberly Hahn's description of her pain was both real, humble, and humorous. Her conversion experience, with its challenges, appears to have been deeper than her husband's, thus the sections she wrote are more interesting.

Like many who go on to purchase Hahn's later books, I hoped they would mirror real development of his spirit as he followed the Catholic faith. What a disappointment, as he bends Catholicism to fit his Protestant perspective from an ivory tower built on a Babel of words. Be one thing or the other, there is no need to reinvent faith. His scriptural quotations are for the most part accurate, but his analysis and interpretation leave a lot to be desired. Yet his enthusiasm and sincerity pull thousands along, unquestioningly.

There are few dissenting voices regarding Hahn; others who are seeking need to be provided another point of view. Having read many of his books in the hope of discovering something special, I feel morally obligated to warn others, as there are unfortunately so few critiques of Hahn's body of work and misrepresentations. Consistently, Hahn's scriptural quotations form a litany of words that obscure, rather than illuminate, truth. Hahn is not the best source for Catholic theology, his previous formation molded and warped his perspective, and his misinformation is a serious theological issue for those seeking real Catholic faith. Ironically, in Hahn's "Lamb's Supper," an abomination forcing the Protestant obsession with Revelation onto the body of Mass, he actually cites the then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger at the back of the book. Ratzinger warned that New Testament writings on Revelation, time, and the end of the world should not be taken literally. It is this Protestant literalism that fortunately, the Catholic Church avoids. Hahn again and again repeats this mistake; he completely lacks historical perspective with his theological fluffy stuff. In the future, his books will be seen as popular and trite, not the classics he aspires to; he is not a latter day Aquinas or Augustine, though he has quite the following.

I'd like to say some faith is better than no faith, and that if Hahn helps encourage people, fine. But faith has too often been horrifically misused in history, through bad ideas, for me to remain silent on the phenomena that is Scott Hahn. He actually brags about lingering in Pope John Paul II's private chapel, alone with the Pope, after the honor of being invited to a private mass. While the Pope knelt in prayer after all the other guests respectfully left, he was not aware that a lingerer remained to observe him. His secretary had to hurriedly return to the private sanctum to collect the Stalker Hahn, who was enjoying his illicit thrill of being alone with Pope John Paul II; perhaps this is why private masses with the Pope were since cancelled?

I fundamentally disagree with Hahn's heavy-handed infusion of the Revelation into Mass, his ideas about Jews and other non-Christians, and his personal "divinization" through the club of Opus Dei (members actually assisted his adherence the Church while leaving his wife floundering spiritually and emotionally). I have nothing against converts whatsoever, as I'm not a dogmatic cradle-born Catholic who resents incomers. I prefer Pope Benedict XVI's various books and other writings, to tackle issues I care about. Hahn was "convicted" to become a Catholic, and has found a wide audience who have been convicted to read his quantity of books, but theological bulk does not equal quality.

This was an interesting book, but what I learned from it was surprising. What was notable was not their conversion from Protestant to Catholic, but the fact that they were Evangelicals, and remained that way regardless. The husband's story is full of zeal and enthusiasm and the wife's is loaded with struggle and torment. The book was way too dramatic, and I wonder if the couple converted not because of their love for Catholicism, but for their love of Scripture, which they analyzed for what seemed every minute of their waking lives. I don't doubt their sincerity, but their zeal can be a bit off-putting. For me, not a keeper.

This may sound like a tangent, but it's highly relevant. This Easter Vigil, I will be receiving the Sacraments of Reconciliation, Confirmation, and the Eucharist. What's incredibly ironic about that statement is that just two to three years ago, I fiercely hated Roman Catholicism -- despite considering myself a devout Christian! I attended an evangelical, nondenominational church, a church that taught me be disgusted with the Catholic Church's positions on transubstantiation, the Virgin Mary (and the Rosary), contraception, Purgatory, the Deuterocanonical books of the Old Testament, and St. Paul's letter to the Galatians that emphasizes being "justified by faith." Over the past year, the more I have learned about the Roman Catholic Church, the more I have understood the foundations for the beliefs of the Church, and the more I have understood the foundations, the more I agreed with them! And now I'm happily entering the Catholic Church.

Rome Sweet Home has given me indescribable confidence and comfort regarding my decision to convert. Scott and Kimberly Hahn were faced with many of the same misconceptions and disagreements as I was with the Church. Reading how they "came home to Rome" helped me feel like I am not alone in my walk. It also helped me to further understand the Scriptural foundations for many Catholic beliefs. What's more, it has opened up the door to other books of Catholic apologetics, which is even more comforting.

Therefore, I highly recommend this book to all Catholics and to some of those interested in the Catholic Church. For Catholics who may be somewhat unsure of their faith, it will probably be very reassuring. For those interested in Catholicism but not Catholic, this might not be the best place to start. I read one negative review of this book by a reader who apparently treated this book as a work of apologetics. Yes, there are some apologetics within this book, but only because the Hahns are explaining their conversion stories! Please keep in mind that this book is simply a biographical story; if you're interested in Catholic apologetics, this is definitely not the first place to go, since it's more about their lives than the Roman Catholic Church. To those non-Catholics who are coming home to Rome, you'll love it!

This book chronicles the faith journeys of Presbyterian ministry husband-and-wife team, Scott and Kimberly Hahn. This couple knows Scripture better than anyone I've ever seen or heard. Furthermore their love of and excitement for Holy Scripture shine out from every page, and is infectious! I wish all Catholics were as Biblically conversant and fervent as these authors!

I honestly believe that if Scott Hahn could spend 3-4 hours with everyone in this country, we'd have at least 300 million Catholics in this country!

I would give this 1/4 of of a star if possible. The book is without reason! The appeals lack reason and intellect, Scott ONLY appeals to Roman Dogma to justify "swimming the Tiber", it is HORRID! I threw mine away, into cat litter in the garbage where it belonged. What a piece of rot!

This is a great down to earth, heart-wrenching but at the same time very joyful story of a Protestant ministers conversion and entrance into the Catholic Church. Telling the story through the everyday, and process of meeting a wife, getting married and beginning a family and how all was intertwined makes the story so familiar because it is the everyday stuff we all know or at least recognize in our own families and friends.

This book is the Journey taken by Scott and Kimberly Hahn to the Catholic Church. They write from the bottom of their heart. You feel the pain they are experiencing during this time and you yearn to see this family united in their beliefs.
Rome Sweet Home: Our Journey to Catholicism
I cried with them and rejoiced with them as I read their compelling story. I feel renewed in my faith by their tumultuous journey.

After reading My Life On The Rock, by Jeff Cavins, I was dieing to know what his wife must have experienced during her husbands "coming home". It was great to be able to read about Scott's wife's experience. I think all Catholics should recommend this book to their non-catholic friends and family!

This book was amazing, I felt myself going through the ups and downs of the Hahns. Great primer for the more difficult apologetics books.

Intensive and Honest about the Faith Journey Scott and Kimberly Hahn took on the road to the Catholic Church,it is an easy read and filled with life experiences that have made their Faith Shine.

Reading this book is like opening my eyes that our home is FULL of HEAVENLY TREASURES, and it's FREE. I had never before so in love with CHRIST. Now I even love HIM more and more each day, knowing that HE is always at HOME, welcoming us.

I have read dozens of conversion stories by people converting to one brand of Protestantism to another. Most, if not all of those are very emotional descriptions of being "saved." This story has that emotion, but it's not JUST emotion, it is also a story of a search for truth.

I would recommend this for any one who has left the Catholic church for Protestantism and wonders if they have done the right thing; for any Protestant who believes the Catholic church is in "apostasy"; any one at all wondering why someone would leave their comfy cosy Protestant pastorate for the Catholic church.

A really "easy read".

This is a palimpsest sketch of biographical accounts of Scott & Kimberly Hahn. The story begins with their meeting and concludes with their eventual conversion to Catholicism.
The story is witty, interesting and at times almost unbelievable. Yes, there are ordained ministers who still regard the Catholic Church as the Whore of Babylon; this is one such story of how one man dug deeper, tried to answer questions of conscience and investigated the lack of scriptural foundation for 'sola scriptura', and finally converted.
The reader cannot help but feel convinced by Hahn's story, which has all the scripture scholarship of an accomplished rector of a Presbyterian seminary with all the passion for the Holy Catholic Church. By the book's end you may find yourself wondering how anyone could be anything other than Catholic.
A great reminder for rusty Catholics, a challenge to the Scripture Alone or Faith Alone theologians and an amazing testimony for anyone pursuing the faith.

Rome Sweet Home is basically Scott and Kimberly Hahn's spiritual journey from Calvinism to becoming Roman Catholics. They met in college while ministering in an evangelical campus group. Upon graduation they married and Scott went to Seminary in preparation to be a Presbyterian Minister. As a married couple one of the first issues they dealt with was that of contraception. Kimberly was very active in the pro-life movement and she was continually confronted with the issue of contraception. Both Scott and her studied the issue and prayed and came to the conclusion that contraception was anti-covenant. At this time, Scott was fervently anti-Catholic and it surprised him to be in agreement with the Catholics on this point.

After Seminary Scott became a Pastor of a growing Presbyterian Church. He had favor with the Elders and the congregation; however, he was wrestling with the lack of power in communion. His conviction was that communion had become way to "symbolic" and as a result spiritually empty. So Scott basically adopted a policy of having communion weekly instead of quarterly and emphasizing covenant in communion. However, Scott became very frustrated as he still believed that the real presence was lacking from communion. Scott came to the conclusion that he could no longer pastor because his convictions had moved him too far way from what was being practiced in his church.

Scott and his wife retreated back to Seminary to study. It was during this time that the doctrines of sola fide and sola scriptura were confronted with intense study. After much study and deliberation Scott rejected the protestant understanding of sola fide and sola scriptura. He also confronted the doctrinal issue of Mary and eventually came to the understanding of how and why she is so revered in the Catholic Church.

Meanwhile, Scott and Kimberly were growing apart spiritually. Kimberly was the daughter of a Presbyterian Minister and did not care for the fact that her husband was moving toward the Catholic Church in his theology. However, Scott finally came to the conclusion that he had to become a Catholic or be disobedient to God. He became a Catholic on Easter in 1986. This really drove a wedge in Scott and Kimberly's marriage. The rest of the book is how Kimberly gradually came around to adopt Catholicism and she too became a Catholic.

I found the book interesting and easy to read. I am a Baptist but I consider myself ecumenical.

James

As a constantly questioning and doubting Thomas myself, I found a great deal with which to relate in Dr. Hahn's story of conversion to Jesus and gradual conversion in theological presuppositions. Dr. Scott Hahn's commitment to truth whereever it leads is evident and authentic. Whether one agrees with the results of his search or not gadflies who love to challenge the status quo will find the story from Dr. and Mrs. Hahn moving and inspiring. The organization of the text is ideal for the story explaining from the perspective of husband and wife when their worlds are turned upside down for the sake of what they find true. At times it seems truth is best left unexplored rather than seeing the price we may have to pay in order to satisfy conscience. Not only did they pay the price of misunderstandings and feelings of betrayel from friends but they suffered the feelings of betrayel from one another as well. It is, at times, heart-wrenching and at other times inspiring and thrilling as Kimberly and Scott tell their story back and forth in chronology to their conversion and acceptance into the Catholic faith. A moving story that will be challenging especially to Protestants schooled in the reformed tradition.

As I have a similar background as Dr. Hahn I was very excited when one of my son's teachers gave me a copy of this book.

As I was trying to "work through" some things God had put on my heart I assumed it would be interesting to see what he and his wife had to say.

The bottom line is that this book helped to change my life. It didn't change it per se, but it did start me back on a path I had steered away from many years ago. It did help me start my journey by giving me enough information that I wanted to go research and learn more.

Scott now has enough books out that you can get almost all that information from him, you can see him at times on EWTN as well.

What this won't give you is the "answer Scott found in each of his papers" that push him to become Catholic. But what you will get his a truly fantastic story of a family searching and living for Christ.

Protestant and Catholic alike I would encourage you to read this book, if not for the Religious aspects then for the family. As a father of 3 sons and with 12 years of marriage already past I saw familiar struggles pop up again and again with what Scott and Kim go through. I believe this is a fantastic book for anyone who is married to help them understand their spouse just a little bit better.

I guess I just can't say enough great things about this book or the author. Since reading this I have read 2 of his other books and have newest on pre-order.

Buy this and read it, not because you think you might want to become Catholic but because it's just a great book, if about nothing else, about life.

This is a compelling book. I read it quite some time ago, early in my own journey to the Church. While this is not the book that ultimately brought me home, it certainly didn't hurt. It begins with Dr. Hahn recounting stories from his past, including destroying his grandmother's rosary beads. Im his youth he was a fiery convert to Evangelical Fundamentalism, and when his grandmother died, his family gifted him her "religious stuff" because he was the only other really religious person in the family. Imagine a young Scott Hahn tearing her rosary beads apart praying to God for an end to the "errors" of Catholicism.

That is heavy stuff. How does one, ultimately, go from being a fiery fundamentalist to a believer in Historic Christianity? The reason is ultimately a love for scripture.

However, his wife also played a role. She was never an anti-Catholic. Dr. Hahn was. She was content to remain Presbyterian until the end of her days, but was also content to view Catholics fellow Christians who believed some things in error. Not so for her husband. Kimberly became convinced (Scott and Kimberly were classmates in seminary) that the "Catholic" teaching on the evils of contraception were correct. She came to this conclusion using Scripture alone. Scott examined the teaching closely. (One gets the feeling he didn't want kids right then) But, in the end, became convinced by her argument. The uncomfortable questions then came up: If the Catholic Church is the only Christian Church still proclaiming this truth (the immorality of contraception) why is that? Also, if the papists are right about this, might they be right about other things as well?

Scott eventually converted to the Catholic faith, after a long and painful journey of course. He had a convert's zeal. However, his wife did not wish to join him. She was never as anti-Catholic as Scott was. She saw Catholics as fellow Christians; she had no need to leave her "home base" of Presbyterianism. However, as an anti-Catholic, once Scott saw the truth he HAD to convert. What other choice did he have?

After much prayer, much sacrifice, and tremendous personal pain, Kimberly was also brought into the Church.

This book recounts this story. Anyone who converts to Catholicism from fundamentalism faces the cross. One recent convert had his wife leave him and take their children with her to distant state. Mind you, this is a good husband and father. I guess that is what passes for "Christian" in the "Nazarene" Church. Often fundamentalist converts loose everything: their friends, their families, and less importantly, their jobs. Fundamentalist pastors who convert (there have been hundreds) loose their livelihood and ability to feed their families. Fundamentalism is an enclosed camp that views any Christian who veers from their limited view of the scriptures as in league with the anti-Christ, who is coming any moment. They will be ruptured away leaving only those who deserve to suffer and die (especially Catholics) to the torment of the tribulation. This is not a joke. They actually believe this stuff. It is a very cruel and hateful system to those who have the audacity to buck it.

This is a compelling book. Although it has been years since I first read it, the general outline and some of the details have really stuck with me. Well worth the read.

Presbyterians are about the same as Catholics you dont know that? no not THE same but allot of them are close

Answer this, is the bible Gods word, all of it, not some of it, do you or do you not believe this, yes or no, do NOT go off all over the place with an answer, just yes or no, then we will go from then.

Also, is there only ONE Mediator between man and God?

that is Jesus right?

then explain "confession to priest"

This book is more of a casual read, the testimony of a Protestant convert to Catholicism. Some Catholics might find this book encouraging, but for the researcher, this is not the book to consult. Whether you're looking to become Catholic, or are studying the faults and failures (as I am) this book only serves to demonstrate how Hahn thought through his own personal journey. Its not necessarily a treatise on the differences between the two faiths, and the supporting arguments he uses are developed initially from a personal struggle, not necessarily a well articulated explanation. Again, its primarily a weak testimonial, in my opinion.

This book answered many questions I had about cathology, while making a very strong argument. An enjoyable read as well.

As a former Presbyterian I can tell you truthfully that Dr. Hahn is 100% correct. I too was trained at a Reformed Seminary. I was steeped in it for many years. However, as I began to put it along side Scripture I found there was much that did not match. Then I began to read the Fathers of the Church in there I found the true Church. I have had a similar journey as Dr. Hahn and have left the Presbyterian tradition and have come to the true Catholic Church. As the Athanaisan Creed proclaims: "Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the catholic faith. Which faith except every one do keep whole and undefiled without doubt he shall perish everlastingly."
Amen.

The Hahn's journey from the heart of Protestantism to an understanding and embracing of Catholicism is a must-read for anyone who is considering becoming Catholic, or to understand why Catholics do the things they do. The book dispels many of the myths that Protestants hold regarding Catholic worship and beliefs. This is also a great book for cradle Catholics who want to understand the basic differences between Catholics and non-Catholics.
Mr. Hahn is an admitted former anti-Catholic; the best feature of the book is that in his eagerness to share the truths he's discovered, he doesn't resort to anti-Protestantism.

You can't really judge a person's testimony, and that is what this book is: Scott Hahn's journey into the Roman Church. But you can test the logic of someone's argument.

Two things are going on in this book.

FIRST, Scott realizes that the Lord's Supper is an act of Covenant and as such it should be the central part of worship. This is true, but this truth does not belong solely to the Roman Church. The Orthodox have always held to the True Presence of Christ in the Eucharist. The Lutherans and Anglicans also held onto the True Presence, while throwing away the unscriptural product of Greek Scholasticism known as transubstantiation.

SECOND, Scott comes to the conclusion that the Church is the pillar of the truth. This is also true. But he identifies "the Church" with the Roman Church. This is false.

When Pope Boniface VIII declared obedience to the pope necessary for salvation (Unam Sanctam), was this the pillar of the truth?

When Pope Innocent III declared ownership of the Bible illegal and mandated all Scriptures be read in Latin, was this the pillar of the truth?

When Pope Clement VI declared that it was the pope's prerogative to apply the Blood of Jesus at his own discretion, was this the pillar of the truth?

When Vatican II opened the doors wide to universalism, was this the pillar of the truth?

When Pope Sixtus V bequeathed England to Philip II of Spain (although he failed to conquer it), was this the pillar of the truth?

And so Scott's argument about the Eucharist and Covenant starts very well, but can be applied to the Orthodox, Lutherans, and Anglicans just as well and better than to the Roman Church.

Likewise, his argument that the Roman Church is the pillar of truth cannot endure scrutiny.

Like other reviewers, I will warn Protestant Christians before they read this book. I warn them not because it will make them question their beliefs, but because it will make them anti-Catholic. I was baptized Catholic and raised in a mixed-marriage. Although I attended mass from time to time, I never received the sacraments, and grew up mainly Presbyterian. I am now part-Presbyterian, part-evangelical. But my early experiences made me an unapologetic ecumenist. This book is an assault on ecumenism. While written in a very kind and respectful tone towards the Protestant denominations, it is really an extended argument that Catholicism is right and Protestantism is wrong. I find this very divisive, and to what end? With all of the forces of secularism and moral relativism in our society today, I would think the Hahns' efforts would be better directed toward being apologists for Christianity, rather than pitting Protestants against Catholics. After all, there is much that unites both Protestants and Catholics: a belief that Jesus is the son of God; that he died for our sins; that through his sacrifice, we are redeemed and can achieve eternal life. I am really not interested in whether someone who believes this should be worshipping in a Catholic or Protestant church. Neither, I think, is God. Yet over and over in reading this book, I found that the subtext was that Scott was right and Protestants are wrong. There were an amazing number of Protestants who "saw the light" after speaking briefly with him and none that could defend their faith. Call me skeptical. I would also make the observation that Kimberly's conversion is far less convincing that Scott's. I think she has taken what the Bible says about wives submitting to their husbands a bit too literally. Even before they were married, she meekly submitted when he "broke up" with her for a year because he was "too busy" to be in love; she also submitted when he insisted she give up her own dream of being a pastor. Later, she submitted when he broke his promise not to convert to Catholicism for 5 years, and again when their daughter was born, agreeing that the baby should be baptized Catholic because she believed it was her husband's prerogative to choose their children's religion. One wonders if she would have done if he had converted to, say, Islam! After giving up her chosen career, her later dream of being a pastor's wife, her right to have input into her children's religious upbringing, not to mention the husband she had married, it seemed that she was so beaten down that her conversion was less a choice than a total capitulation.

If you have converted to the Catholic faith from one of the many Protestant traditions, all of which have some "beef" with the Catholic church, then you are going to go through some pretty intense emotions. What I like about the Hahn's book is how much they stick to the issues, presenting the intellectual reasons why they were both persuaded and how they worked these out, interpreting them and living the Catholic truths in their lives, for example, being open to life in their marriage, making small sacrifices for lent, etc.

Reading some of these reviews some may think that the Hahns' conversions weren't grounded in any type of serious reflection but were merely emotional reactions. But a quick check on how many books both Dr. Scott and Kimberly have gone on to write about the faith should clear up that misconception. My advice to anyone who likes "Rome Sweet Home" is to read "The Lamb's Supper" next and then "Hail Holy Queen", both by Scott Hahn.

I loved this book! I was raised Catholic, became a born-again Christian and went to a Christian church. I came back to the Catholic Church even more enthusiastic about serving the Lord. Scott Hahn's book was refreshing and beautifully done. It allowed me to feel good about returning back to the Catholic Church, but coming back now with deeper meaning of Who Christ is and what He has done for me. It made me appreciate the way I was raised and Scott Hahn centered on the 'real' meaning of faith.

Allow me to preface my review by pointing out that I am not extolling Hahn as a replacement for the repository of classic conversion stories. Nevertheless, I am placing him at the forefront for readers as a completely understandable introduction to conversion literature.

By its temporal setting, this faith autobiography is most tangible to the modern reader. Since Hahn is writing within our milieu, we, the readers, are able to understand his point of view very well. This is most especially important when the reader is not overly familiar to the Catholic faith. The narrative is most excellent for Catholics who often have their faith questioned by various Protestant groups, for Scott was a vehemently anti-Catholic Protestant minister before his conversion. Additionally, I think that their story of conversion would be good for any such anti-Catholic groups just to see that there is a rationale to our faith and that it may not be as horrible as they think that it is.

As a stepping stone in the process of the formation of the faithful, I think that this book is an essential read. The process of coming to know our Faith is aided by such works and may be more deeply reflected upon by moving from works such as these to the more aged classics about the Saints.

What makes the Hahn conversion story so powerful is the recognition that their story is our story, a quest for God and Truth in the midst of so many competing voices.

Every person of faith has doubted from time to time whether he has found the truth. Every person of faith has searched for God. Every person of faith has a story to tell, filled with defeats, confusion, and victories.

"Home Sweet Rome" is such a tale - and captures beautifully the internal struggle and spiritual quest of a husband and wife who struggled to find the true Church of Jesus Christ after realizing that the Catholic Church's teaching on contraception stood the lone correct voice in the cacophony of Protestant shouts.

The book is heavy on the spiritual and emotional side of the journey, and a little light on the reasons that opened Scott's eyes (Kimberly's conversion, too, seems anti-climatic - suddenly, she tells Scott she's ready).

Still, you'll find the hallmarks of Dr. Hahn's theology and approach to Scripture. As a fan, I've found that Scott often raises and emphasizes the same things repeatedly in the same ways in his many books. "Rome Sweet Home," however, was my first Scott Hahn book - and it certainly was not my last.

They say that to really understand the writings of St. Augustine, you need to first read his Confessions.

I'll say, that to understand Scott Hahn, you first need to read this terrific book.

I am impressed by the number of reviewers who have made light of the book and even claim Scott and Kimberly are proud, arrogant, and dishonest. Let me say it again, I am impressed ~ and confused.

I read this several years ago and the one thing I took away from the book over and above all others was the feeling that this couple was authentic and revealed their journey into the Universal Church in a very honest and forthright manner.

Many reviewers have pointed out correctly that it is not a theological treatise or that it doesn't cover all there is to know about Catholicism, nor does it even make the most convincing arguments for the items of Catholic teaching that they do make. I agree, but you must grant these two people never intended their conversion journey to be anything like that. Really, who would expect a treatise in a conversion story? No one who is thinking straight.

It does show Scott is a very talented scholar, or if you disagree, at least that he honestly did the reading and study he claims to be able to write what he has with Kimberly. I supposed some would like to take their rhetoric to a new level by trying to dampen a very heart-warming story (when viewed from the writer's perspectives). It doesn't work. The story doesn't change. It remains a beautifully written adventure filled with the excitement the authors felt as they made their discoveries along their way.

I recommend reading it and deciding for yourself. But give the writers the benefit of the doubt and don't judge them because you disagree with their journey or opinions. Judge them for what they write and hold them to the consistency standard. To my knowledge they pass this with flying colors. What, you ask, is the consistency standard? Belief and action must match, i.e., be consistent.

Prejudice runs deep. I know for I have spent years unlearning things I "knew" for more than thirty years.

A non-Catholic myself, I actually became fearful before completing this book that Scott Hahn was going to persuade me I HAD to become Catholic if I was going to approach my faith with intellectual honesty while taking the Bible seriously (issues of great importance to me). The arguments are presented with simple clarity and Biblical authority that rings true. They are arguments that conflicted with my prejudices, but not with Biblical teaching. Perhaps stronger even than the logic, however, is the reality that Hahn fought against that logic every step of the way. Coming from a non-Catholic background himself, and steeped in anti-Catholic teaching, in-depth study drew him against his intense resistance, to embrace the Catholic faith.

This is a brilliant book, very dangerous to deep rooted prejudice, but giving a wealth of insight into the Biblical foundation of key Catholic beliefs and traditions. It is invaluable for Catholic and non-Catholic alike. I highly recommend it to anyone wishing to understand the teachings of the Catholic church, from either inside or outside. I will also give fair warning to those who cherish a strong anti-Catholic bias -- this is a dangerous book to read if you are intent on holding onto that bias.

My respect for Catholic Brothers and Sisters has multiplied greatly, this book being a catalyst in the process. I don't know how to pay higher tribute to an author than to say "Thank you for helping me see old things with new eyes." My understanding of my own faith, and the many core beliefs we share is deeper and richer today because of this book.