Author Archives: Catholic Fun Facts

Born in Gracchiano-Vecchio, Tuscany c.1268, St. Agnes entered the convent at nearby Montepulciano when she was only 9 years old.  She was transferred to the new convent which opened at Procena and soon became the abbess at age 15.   By her sanctity and the austerity of her life, she attracted many postulants.  The inhabitants of Montepulciano built a new convent and inspired her to come back.  She became prioress.  She adhered to the Dominican rule.  She was famous for her visions, experienced levitation, and performed many miracles.  (It was reported that she had received Communion from an angel and held the infant Christ in her arms). She died in the convent and was canonized in 1726, April 20.

 FEAST DAY:  April 20

ROSARY CD

Responsorial Psalm

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

True

Today’s Question-

Only a democratic form of government is morally acceptable.  True or false?

Also known as Alphege.  Born to noble and virtuous parents, he entered the monastery of Derherste in Gloucester at an early age.  He left to become a hermit at Bath.  He was appointed Abbot there and enforced a strict rule.  Despite his objections, he was appointed Bishop of Winchester.  He eliminated poverty in his diocese through his aid to the poor.  He was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury by Pope John XVIII in Rome.  The Danes were pillaging the country and the Archbishop hastened to the scenes of pillaging and killing and tried to turn the cruelty of the pagans to himself.  His cathedral was burned and he had to endure great tortures and was put in prison for months.  He refused to use the goods of his church for his ransom so he was put to death while he prayed for his enemies.  He died April 19, 1012.

 FEAST DAY:  April 19

ILLUMINATED BIBLE

Responsorial Psalm

Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer

(c) Act of penance

Today’s Question

One cannot be morally upright without also being virtuous.  True or False?

In the year 180, Commodus, a vicious prince, ascended to the imperial throne after the death of his father, Marcus Aurelius.  He wasn’t cruel toward the Christians.  He relaxed the severity of the laws.  St. Apollonius joined the ranks of influential Christians, a man of importance and learning.  Due to an obscure law which decreed that accusers of Christians be put to death, Severus, one of Apollonius’, slaves accused him of being a Christian and was put to death.  The judge sent an order to St. Apollonius after the execution of Severus, to renounce his religion.  After he refused he was referred to judgment of the Roman Senate. St. Apollonius then composed the following apology and pronounced it before the Senate.  “We have hastened to honor Him because we have learned lofty commandments from Him….Yet if it were a delusion (as you assert) which tells us that the soul is immortal and that there is a judgment after death and a reward of virtue at the resurrection,  and that God is the Judge, we would gladly be carried by such a lie as that, which has taught us to lead good lives awaiting the hope of the future even while suffering adversities.”  Despite this magnificent apology, St. Apollonius was beheaded for refusing to deny his Faith.

 FEAST DAY:  April 18

INSPIRATIONAL BOOKS

Responsorial Psalm

Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer

Forehead

Today’s Question

What action must one perform after confession to make amends for sins?

(a) act of contrition  (b) act of penance  (c) act of faith

St. Stephen was born at Dorset, England in the second half of the 11^th century.  He was educated at Sherbourne Abbey.  He grew to be a man of great charm and a first-rate scholar.  He became a monk at the Abbey of Molesme.  There he and the Abbot, St. Aleric, and  St. Robert worked with zeal for reform.  The three monks along with 20 other monks lived a life according to the Rule of St. Benedict. When St. Aleric died in 1108, St. Stephen became Abbot of Citeaux and built up the community.  They endured many hardships.  St. Bernard arrived there with thirty of his followers in 1112.  During the next eight years a dozen more Cistercian houses were built to house all those who came to them.  The spirit of the Cictercian Abbey was defined by the “Charta of Charity” which St. Stephen wrote in 1119.  His high ideals, character and simplicity mirror the great saint who ruled the monastery for 25 years.  He resigned his position because of his advanced age and near-blindndess.  He died March 28, 1184.

 FEAST DAY:  April 17

WALL CROSSES & CRUCIFIXES

Responsorial Psalm

Our blessing-cup is a communion with the Blood of Christ.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer

Pontius Pilate

Today’s Question

Where on the body does the bishop anoint with oil during confirmation?

Bernadette’s parents lost their mill in Lourdes, France through mismanagement and laziness.  When Bernadette was about 14, they could only afford to live in a dank, unhealthy cellar that had once been the town hall.  Her sister said that Bernadette was sickly all her life.  Not only did she have asthma but she ate very little.  The story of her visions of the Blessed Virgin Mary, (18 in all) in a grotto known as Massabeille are very well known.  Her family wasn’t sure of her story and Sr. Marie Therese Vauzous,  her teacher, made fun of her.  The police tried to force her to admit that she was lying.  Her pastor also rebuked her for causing such a commotion. Our Lady directed Bernadette to uncover a spring in the grotto and the people who bathed in the spring had miraculous cures.  People begged her to touch them to cure them and offered money for this but she refused.  She entered the convent of Sisters of Charity of Nevers, to get away from this attention.  The Mistress of Novices was Sr. Marie Therese, the nun who had mocked her at school and who still thought that she was guilty of trying to fool the world.  She took final vows in 1878 and shortly therafter she contracted tuberculosis of the bone which is an incurable and painful disease.  To the end of her life Sr. Marie Therese refused to believe that the visions were authentic.

FEAST DAY: April 16

PATRON OF:  The chronically ill, especial asthmatics

ST. BERNADETTE

Responsorial Psalm

Lord, in your great love, answer me.

Quiz

Yesterdays Answer

God the creator

Today’s Question

Who was the Roman procurator who condemned Jesus to die on a cross?

Legend questions that Basillisa and Anastasia were noble Romans who were converted by and eventually became disciples of  Sts. Peter and Paul.  When the two recovered the bodies of Sts. Peter and Paul after their executions, the two were put in prison and tortured and then beheaded by order of Emperor Nero because they acknowledged that they were Christians.

FEAST DAY:  April 15

BAPTISM GIFTS

Responsorial Psalm

I will sing of your salvation.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

Creation

Today’s Question-

What is the name for God who made heaven and earth?

Justin was an avid student of Greek and Roman philosophy but he found them unsatisfactory.  A  chance meeting with an aged Christian who explained the Gospels to him made him realize that this was the only sure and useful philosophy.  After being baptized, he started a Christian philosophical school in Ephesus.  He later relocated his school to Rome and published several books in which he strove to prove that the Christian faith was true.  Justin and six of his pupils were arrested on orders of Emperor Marcus Aurelius who was persecuting Christians.  They were ordered to offer sacrifice to the Roman gods.  Justin replied, “no one in his right mind gives up piety for impiety.”  Justin and his students were condemned and were flogged and beheaded.

 FEAST DAY:  April 14

PATRON OF:  Lecturers

HOLY WATER FONTS

Responsorial Psalm

The Lord is my light and my salvation.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

Blessing God

Today’s Question-

What is the main theme of the first two chapters of the book of Genesis?

St. Martin was a native of Tuscany and a member of the Roman clergy.  He was elected to succeed Pope Theodore in 649.  In a Council which he convened, he condemned the leaders of heresy, the Monothelites, and a document from Emperor Constans was censured.  The Emperor had him sentenced to death or sent East as a prisoner.   He was miraculously saved from the attempt to kill him.  The emperor sent others to seize him while he lay sick and was taken to Constantinople.  After three months he arrived on the island of Naxos.  There he was kept for a year and was subjected to many indignities.  He was put in a dungeon in Constantinople and was persecuted.  He was abandoned by all as they feared being seized.  He died in 655 after a prolonged martyrdom.

FEAST DAY:  April 13

POPE JOHN PAUL II             POPE JOHN XXIII

Responsorial Psalm

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

Following the Eucharistic prayer and before communion.

Today’s Question-

Which comes first in the Lord’s Prayer?  Blessing God or petitioning God?

Julius was elected pope on February 6, 337 during a time of turmoil which involved the Arian controversy.  When Athanasius was returned to the see of Alexandria, Eusebius opposed  it and he and his followers elected George.  The Arians elected Pistus.  Julius convened a synod in Rome and neither group attended.  Julius declared that Athanasius was the rightful bishop and reinstated him.  Emperors Constans and Constantius declared that Julius’ actions were correct.  Julius built several basilicas and churches in Rome.  He was pope for a little over fifteen years.  He died in Rome on April 12.  He was famed  for his sanctity.

FEAST DAY:  April 12

POPES

Responsorial Psalm

The Lord will guard us, as a shepherd guards his flock.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

True

Today’s Question-

When is the Lord’s Prayer said during the Mass?

Born July 26, 1030 at Sezepanow in Cracow, Poland.  He was educated in the schools of his native country.  He attended the university of Gnesna.  For seven years he studied canon law and theology in Paris.  He refused the degree of doctor because of his humility and returned home. He was ordained and was given a canonry by the Bishop of Cracow.  He was known for his preaching and was sought after as a spiritual advisor.  He denounced the King’s cruelties and injustices.  Among other things, the King kidnaped the wife of a nobleman.  Stanislaus excommunicated King Boleslaaus and stopped services at the cathedral.  King Boleslaus killed Stanislaus while he was saying Mass in a chapel on April 11.  He was canonized by Pope Innocent IV in 1253.

 FEAST DAY:  April 11

PATRON OF:  Cracow

FIRST COMMUNION

Responsorial Psalm

 In my distress I called upon the Lord, and he heard my voice.

Quiz

Yesterday’s Answer-

False

Today’s Question-

Our life in Christ depends on our “hallowing” God’s name.  True or False?