Author Archives: Catholic Fun Facts

In 536 after the death of Pope St. Agapetus, St. Silverius, a sub deacon, was chosen Pope.  When the general of the Emperor Justian arrived at the gates, the senate admitted him at the persuasion of the Pope.  The Empress Theodora, endeavored to have him  connive with her party favoring the sect of Acephali or Ultra-Eutychians.  He could not be deceived and knew that his resistance would cost him his life.  A time of intrigue ensued and an Archdeacon was sent to Rome with a letter for Belisarius who was to drive St. Silvarius out and arrange for the election of Vigilius.  Like Pilate, he  handed the duty off to another.  Virgilius became Pope and Silverius was sent to Patara.  When the Emperor Justinian heard of this, he ordered St. Silverius sent back to Rome.  He was intercepted on the road and taken to the Island of Palmaria.  He died there a short time afterward in 537.  After the death of Silverius, Virgilius became Pope, he gave up all connection with the heretics and they gained nothing for their help. 

FEAST DAY:  June 20

TABERNACLES

Responsorial Psalm

The Lord has chosen Zion for his dwelling.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

(a) Mere children

Today’s Question-

Who are the three persons of the Blessed Trinity?

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Born at Ravenna around the year 956.  He wasted his early life in worldly pleasures, despite his desire for virtue and sanctity.  His father, Sergius, made him be present when he fought a duel.  When he saw him slay his adversary, he determined to expiate it for forty days as though it was his sin.  He retired to the Benedictine monastery of St. Apollinare where he became the Abbot.  He founded the austere Order of Camaldoli in Tuscany.  He fought a life long battle against the assaults of the devil and men.  He conquered many of the numerous temptations through vigilance and prayer.  Several attempts were made on his life, but Divine Providence saved him. He bore the assault of calumny in silence and patience.  He died in the monastery of Castro which he founded in Marquisate of Ancona on June 19 about the year 1027.

FEAST DAY:  June 19

FICTION

REPONSORIAL PSALM

Rejoice in the Lord, you just!

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

(c) The Our Father

Today’s Question-

According to the scriptures, the Father reveals himself to ______________

(a) mere children    (b) the wise     (c) the well to do

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He was born in 306 in Mesopotamia.  Though he was thought to be a pagan, it is now believed his parents were Christians.  He was baptized at eighteen.  He was head of the school of St. James of Nisibis and probably went with him to the Council of Nicaea in 325.  When Nisibis was ceded to the Persians in 363, he lived in a cave near Edessa in the Roman territory, and he preached to the Christians.  He did most of his writing there.  He distributed food and money to the stricken people during the famine.  He wrote many works on dogmatic and ascetical themes, against heretics, and on the Last Judgment.  He was devoted to the Blessed Virgin.  He was responsible  for introducing hymns in public worship.  His works were translated into Greek, Armenian, and Latin.  He was called “the Harp of the Holy Spirit”.  Pope Benedict XV declared him a Doctor of the Church in 1920–the only Syrian to be so honored.  He died June 9, 373. 

 FEAST DAY:   June 18

PYXES

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Let your hearts take comfort, all who hope in the Lord.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

(b) Before we ask him

Today’s Question-

In response to the disciples’ request, “Lord, teach us to pray,” what did Jesus teach them?

(a) the Beatitudes     (b) the Our Father     (c) the priestly prayer

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Born in 1625 of an old and distinguished Venetian family.  He was a brilliant man and had a diplomatic career.  He became a priest around 1648 and was soon after consecrated the first Bishop of Bergamo by Pope Alexander VII.   He was made a Cardinal later and was given authority over the diocese of Padua. He carried out reforms which were set forth by the Council of Trent.  Seminaries in Bergamo and Padua were greatly  enlarged through his efforts. He added a library and printing press at Padua.  He died in 1697.

FEAST DAY:  June 17

CHILDREN’S CROSSES & CRUCIFIXES

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Be merciful, O Lord, for we have sinned.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

True

Today’s Question-

God knows what we need __________________

(a) after we ask him     (b) before we ask him      (c) while we ask him

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He was born in 1597, a descendant of nobility, in Languedoc, France.  Educated in Jesuit College of Beziers.  He entered the Jesuit novitiate at Toulouse when he was 19 years old.  Two years later he took his vows.  He was sent to  teach the classics in several colleges after finishing his course in philosophy in 1621.  He was ordained priest in 1630 after he finished his study of theology.  He gave missions over the whole diocese of Viviers at the invitation of the Bishop.  He converted many people through his ardent work.  He suffered many crosses but turned them into spiritual advantages.  He desired to devote himself to the conversion of Canadian Indians, but he was kept in France.  He endured many hardships on his apostolic journeys in the depth of winter in the rugged mountains, but he remained zealous in his work.  He died in 1640.

FEAST DAY:  June 16

ROSARIES

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Lord, listen to my groaning.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

(a) He went way sad

Today’s Question-

Some stop praying because they think their prayer of petition has not been answered.  True or false?

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This account is based on an unreliable legend.  He was the only son of a senator in Sicily.  He became a Christian when he was 12 years old.  The administrator of Sicily had Vitus brought to him and tried to shake his faith.  Vitus, his tutor, Modestus, and servant, Crescentia fled to Lucania and then to Rome.  There he freed the Emperor’s son of an evil spirit. When he refused to sacrifice to the gods, his cure was attributed to sorcery.  The three of them were subjected to various tortures, but they were unscathed.  During a storm, the temples were destroyed, and an angel guided them to Lucania where they eventually died.  What is fact is that their cult goes back centuries, and they were Christians who were martyred.  Vitus is one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers. 

FEAST DAY:  June 15

PATRON OF:  Epileptics, dancers, actors, protection against storms

SAINT BOOKS

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

Glory and praise for ever!

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

(a) vocal

Today’s Question-

 What was the response of the rich young man to Christ’s invitation to sell his possessions and follow him?

(a) he went away sad     (b) he was eager to follow     (c) he hesitated to respond

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St.  Basil was born in 329 in Caesarea, Cappadocia, Asia Minor.  He received an education from his father and grandmother.  He went on to advanced studies at Constantinople and Athens.  He taught rhetoric at Caesarea after completing his studies and decided to become a religious.  He was baptized and after visiting several monasteries became a hermit in 358 in Pontus.  He organized the first monastery in Asia Minor and attracted many disciples.  He was ordained in 363.  Disagreements with the Archbishop caused him to return to Pontus.  Over the years, he had many disagreements with the authorities.  Despite his struggles, he built a complex for the poor and sick and ministered to them.  He was a great preacher and attracted great throngs to his preaching.  He was considered one of the giants of the early Church.  He died at Caesarea on January 1, 379 (when his feast is celebrated in the East).

FEAST DAY:  June 14

PATRON OF:  Hospital administrators

ST. BENEDICT MEDALS

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

You are my inheritance, O Lord.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

A day of personal prayer, reflection and reading of scripture

Today’s Question-

What kind of praying is it when we say our prayers with words?

(a) vocal     (b) meditation     (c) contemplation

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St. Anthony was born in Lisbon, Portugal in 1195.  He was educated by the Canons of the Cathedral of Lisbon.  He entered the Order of Canons of St. Augustine.  After eight years at Holy Cross in Coimbra, he transferred to the Franciscans.  St. Francis took him to Assisi.  After being ignored for years, he devoted his life to preaching.   He was followed by crowds.  Miracles were attributed to him.  It was said he was observed holding the child Jesus in his arms.

FEAST DAY:  June 13

PATRON OF:  Lost items, fertility

ST. ANTHONY MEDALS

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

I long to see your face, O Lord.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

False

Today’s Question-

What is a day of recollection?

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Nothing is known of his birth and early life.  He was a devout young Christian of Cortona.  He worked with his hands to supplement an inheritance and gave to the poor whatever he did not need for his own use.  He provided hospitality in 1211 to St. Francis of Assisi and one of his companions on his first visit to Cortona.  St. Guy asked to become a member of the followers of the Seraphic Saint.  When told that he would have to abandon everything, he immediately arranged for the sale of his possessions, and he and his guests distributed all of his proceeds.  He became a Franciscan and occupied a small cell on a bridge over a stream.  Since he was a well-educated man, he was ordained to the priesthood.  He  showed great holiness, powerful eloquence, and extraordinary gifts to his people. He performed miracles – one of which was raising  back to life, a girl who had drowned.  He died at the age of 60 about 1245, after receiving a vision  of St. Francis coming once again to Cortona, this time to lead him to paradise!

FEAST DAY:  June 12

GARDEN STATUES

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

It is right to praise you in Zion, O God.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

The annunciation, the visitation, the birth of our Lord, the presentation in the temple, the finding of our lord in the temple

Today’s Answer-

It is not helpful for us to pray to the saints for their intercession.  True or false?

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Though not one of the original apostles, the Church calls him an apostle.  He was the one who befriended Saul of Tarsus, the former persecutor of the Church.  His success in preaching decided the Apostles on changing his name from Joseph to Barnabas – which means “son of exhortation”.  When Barnabas went to Antioch, he asked St. Paul to go with him.  The two worked a year in Antioch for the famine-stricken poor of the Community.  They went on to Cyprus and central Asia preaching the Faith.  They attended the First Council of Jerusalem.  When they returned to Antioch, St. Barnabas wanted his nephew, John Mark, to accompany them, but Paul did not so they parted company.  Barnabas and John Mark went back to Cyprus on their second missionary journey.  Not much is known about Barnabas after this time except that he was known to the Corinthians (1 Cor. 9, 6). Tradition relates that he  was stoned to death at Salamis in Cyprus.

FEAST DAY:   June 11

PATRON OF:  Against hailstorms

BIOGRAPHIES

RESPONSORIAL PSALM

The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

The Rosary

Today’s Question-

Name two of the joyful mysteries of he rosary.

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