Author Archives: Catholic Fun Facts

Born in Breslau (now Warsaw, Poland) to a Jewish family in 1891.  She abandoned Judaism in her early teens.  After reading the autobiography of Teresa of Avila, she became a Catholic and later became a Carmelite.  She was brilliant and earned a doctorate in philosophy in 1916.  She taught in the university until 1922.  She became a lecturer in Munich, but under pressure from the Nazis, she had to leave.  In 1938, after living in the Cologne Carmel, she moved to a Carmelite monastery in Echt, Netherlands.  In 1940 the Nazis occupied the Netherlands.  Because the Dutch bishops denounced the Nazis, all Dutch Jews who had become Christians were arrested.  Teresa Benedicta and her sister Rosa , who also became Catholic, died in the gas chamber in Auschwitz on August 9, 1942.  Blessed John Paul II beatified her in 1987 and canonized her twelve years later.

FEAST DAY:  August 9

EDITH STEIN: THE 7TH CHAMBER DVD

Responsorial Psalm

You forsake not those who seek you, O Lord.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

False

Today’s Answer-

What is it called when the laity share the faith through their witness of life and the word?

(a) prophecy     (b) evangelization     (c) proselytism

Born in Calaruega in Spain around the year 1170.  He studied theology at Palencia and was made a canon of the church of Osma.  He worked  effectively against the Albigensian heresy through preaching and good example.  He gathered together companions to carry on this work and founded the Order of Preachers which was approved by Pope Honorius III in 1216.  He was made Master of the Sacred Palace, or the Pope’s domestic theologian, a new office created by the Pope.  He spent his life preaching, teaching, lecturing on theology and establishing houses of his Order.  In 1220 Honorius III made him General.  He died at Bologna, Italy, August 6, 1221.

FEAST DAY:  August 8

PATRON OF:  Astronomers, astronomy

TABERNACLES

Responsorial Psalm

It is I who deal death and give life.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

(c) pyramid

Today’s Question-

People who do not know and accept the Catholic Church will not be saved.

True or False?

St. Sixtus was elected to the Roman See in 257.  After reigning for twelve months, this peace loving pope was arrested  August 6, 258, in the cemetery of the Praetextatus.  Emperor Valerian  issued an edict prescribing death for leaders of the Christians.  It is said he was slain on the spot, but it is thought the he was taken away and examined and then executed.  Sts. Felicissimus, Agapitus, and four other deacons were martyred with him.  St. Lawrence, archdeacon of Sixtus, was also martyred three days later.

FEAST DAY:  August 7

COOKBOOKS

Responsorial Psalm

Create a clean heart in me, O God.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

(c) One sent

Today’s Question-

Which image or symbol is not used for the Church in the New Testament?

(a) temple   (b) bride    (c) pyramid    (d) sheepfold

About a year before Christ’s Passion and Death,  Jesus led His three most beloved disciples, Peter, James and John to the summit of Mount Tabor.  His face became resplendent as the sun and His garments white as snow.  While there, Moses and Elijah appeared and talked with him.  Peter said “Lord, it is good for us to be here!” and while he was still speaking a voice was heard coming from the luminous cloud which had enveloped them saying, “This is My beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased; hear Him.”  The Apostles prostrated themselves, but Jesus told them to arise.  Our Lord stood beside them in his usual clothing and the vision had vanished.  Those who were soon to see Jesus’ His humiliation of Gethesmani were given a glimpse of His Divinity so that they might be strengthened against temptation.

ROSARIES

Responsorial Psalm

The Lord is king, the Most High over all the earth.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

(b) People of God

Today’s Question-

The word “apostle” means _____________

(a) follower     (b) one sent     (c) leader

FEAST DAY:  August 6

By JACurran at English Wikipedia

According to an ancient tradition in Rome, during the reign of Pope Liberius in the 4^th century, the Blessed Virgin appeared to a patrician named John.  She told him she wanted a church to be built in her honor.  It was to be built on the spot upon which she caused a miraculous fall of snow in the summer.  In 352, John built and endowed the church during the reign of Pope Liberius (352-366).  Thus it came to be called the Liberian Basilica.  Around the year 335, Pope Sixtus III enlarged and consecrated it under the title of the Virgin Mary.  It bears the title St. Mary Major because it is the first church in Rome to be dedicated to the Blessed Virgin.  The holy crib of Bethlehem is preserved in this church so it also bears the title of Sancta Maria ad praesepe (at the crib).  It is one of three churches in which the Pope officiates on certain occasions.  An altar is reserved for use only by the Pope.  The other churches are St. Peter’s and St. John Lateran.

FEAST DAY:  August 5

POPES’ WRITINGS

Responsorial Psalm

The Lord will build up Zion again, and appear in all his glory.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

(c) Laity

Today’s Question-

What is a title of the Church made popular by Vatican II to indicate a gathering of all God’s faithful?  (a) rock of Gibraltar  (b) people of God  (c) temple of the Holy Spirit

St. John Vianney was born in Lyons in 1786.  After overcoming many difficulties, he was ordained a priest.  His parish was in the town of Ars in the diocese of Belley.  He was renowned for his preaching, mortification, prayer and good works.  Because he was renowned for great skill in helping penitents, people came to him from many regions.  He died in 1859.

FEAST DAY:  August 4

PATRON OF:  Priests, confessors

ESPANOL/SPANISH BOOKS

Responsorial Psalm

Lord, teach me your statutes.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

(c) Determination

Today’s Question-

Who are those baptized members of the church who are no ordained or consecrated to the religious state?  (a) catechumens     (b) nuns    (c) laity

St. Lydia lived in the district of Lydia, a district known for its purple dyes.  She was a dealer in purple dyed goods. In the year 55, St. Paul came to the city. Lydia was known as “a worshiper of God” the technical name for a partial convert to Judaism.  She and her whole family became converts under the powerful preaching of St. Paul. This conversion represents the first one mentioned in Europe.  Lydia provided hospitality for St. Paul and his companions, Luke and Silas during their stay at Philippi.  This event was written later in St. Luke’s record of the early Church, known as The Acts of the Apostles (chapter 16, verses 11 to 15).

FEAST DAY:  August 3

PATRON OF:  Dyers

MASS KITS & SICK KITS

Responsorial Psalm

The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

True

Today’s Question-

Which is not listed as a fruit of the Holy Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23?

(a) love     (b) determination     (c) joy     (d) patience     (e) self control

St. Eusebius was born in Sardinia to a noble family.  His mother took him to Rome while he was an infant.  He received a Christian education.  Pope St. Sylvester ordained him a lector, and he was sent to Vercelli in Piedmont and joined the clergy of that Church.  Around 340 he was made a Bishop.  He united the clerical with the monastic life,  living in community with his clergy.  He succeeded in forming a widely renowned clergy.  Arianism was making great inroads into the Orthodox Faith and St. Eusebius held to the Orthodox.  When St. Athanasius, the greatest champion of the Faith at that time,  was condemned he refused to join in the condemnation.  Because of this, Eusebius was banished to Scythopolis in Palestine by the Emperor.  He suffered greatly at the hands of the Arians.  Later he was sent to Cappadocia and later to Upper Thebes in Egypt.   When Emperor Constantine died in 361, Eusebius was released.  Making his way back to Vercelli, he strengthened the Faith of many.  He died in peace in Vercelli in 370.

FEAST DAY:  August 2

E-BOOKS

Responsorial Psalm

Lord, in your great love, answer me.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

False

Today’s Question-

Jesus gradually revealed the Holy Spirit during his public life and ministry.

True or false?

Born in Naples in 1696.  He was renowned as a doctor of both  Canon and Civil Law.  He left the legal profession and entered the priesthood.  He founded the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer.  He began preaching and writing books on moral theology to foster spirituality among the people.  He was chosen Bishop of Sant’ Agata dei Goti but soon resigned to work with his confreres at Nocera dei Pagani in Campagna.  Much intense suffering and voluntary mortification plagued his last years.  He died August 1, 1787.

FEAST DAY:  August 1

PATRON OF:  Confessors, theologians, moralists

HOLY WATER FONTS

Responsorial Psalm

Lord, in your great love, answer me.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

Come Creative Spirit

Today’s Question-

The Holy Spirit was inactive until the time of Christ in the history of salvation.   True or False?

Born in 1491 at Loyola, he spent his early years at court and as a soldier.  Later he converted to God and took theological studies at Paris.  There he attracted his first followers and afterward joined them together in Rome as first members of the Society of Jesus.   In 1540 Pope Paul III approved the Society and it rapidly progressed.  It spread to India and in the East and to Brazil.  By his written works and training of his disciples, they won great praise for their renewal of the Church.  He was General of the Society more than fifteen years.  He died peacefully on July 31, 1556.

FEAST DAY:  July 31

PATRON OF:  Spiritual exercises, soldiers

INSPIRATIONAL BOOKS

Responsorial Psalm

Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob.

QUIZ

Yesterday’s Answer-

(b) Laying on of hands

Today’s Question-

What is the meaning of the words VENI CREATOR SPIRITUS?

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