Useless Trivia
A bird, a color, or a high-ranking Vatican official responsible for advising and electing the pope.
What is (a) cardinal?
Which came first? The Church one. From the Latin cardinalis, meaning "hinge," these men serve as 'pivots' of the Church. Wearing red to symbolize the blood of Christ, cardinal came to reference a color, and then eventually, a red bird.
"Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word."
Who is Mary, Mother of God?
Luke 1:38
Adults and infants alike receive this as their first sacrament, wearing a white garment to symbolize their new purity from original sin.
What is Baptism?
A cross with the body of Jesus on it.
What is a crucifix?
God told him to build an arky, arky out of gopher barky, barky to prepare for the incoming floody, floody.
Who is Noah?
A popular fast food item for Catholics during Lent that is available under two golden arches.
What is the Filet-O-Fish?
Invented in 1962 by Catholic franchise owner Lou Groen in Ohio because he noticed that hamburger sales plummeted on Fridays in his Catholic neighborhood. He convinced McDonald's founder Ray Kroc to sell the Filet-O-Fish on Fridays along with the Hula Burger, and the sandwich that sold the most would be added to the permanent menu.
"Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith."
Who is James?
James 2:18
Catholics receive this at every Mass when it is the first time the whole congregation celebrates.
What is First Holy Communion?
A priest wears this every Sunday, in different colors, styles, and designs, following the liturgical calendar instead of a style guide.
What is a chasuble?
This patriarch had many sons. I am one of them and so are you. So let's just praise the Lord.
Who is Father Abraham?
This Catholic tome includes excerpts on blessings for meetings, boats and fishing gear, new church doors, and various types of transportation.
What is the Book of Blessings?
This book is used to bless various objects and people. Some blessings are often used, like the blessing of a house or advent wreath, but some are a bit more unique, like the Order of blessing an athletic event, tools or other equipment, or bricks.
"I come to my Church fully functioning... I bring myself; my Black self, all that I am, all that I have... I bring my whole history, my traditions, my experience... my African-American song and dance and gesture and movement and teaching and preaching and healing and responsibility - as gifts to the Church."
Who is Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman?
In her address to the United States Council of Catholic Bishops in 1989, she answered the self-imposed question of what it means to be Black and Catholic.
Priests receive this and can trace their lineage back to when Christ gave it to his apostles.
What is Holy Orders?
Where the vestments, linens, and candles are. This is often where you will find the priest and alter servers when they are preparing for Mass.
What is the sacristy?
Known as a biblical Napoleon, he climbed a tree to see Jesus, and his desire was rewarded when Jesus noticed him and came into his home.
Who is Zacchaeus?
This state bird, which is believed to pierce its own breast to feed its children, is a representation of how Christ feeds us His Body and Blood.
What is a pelican?
Other animals that have been symbols of Christ for centuries are a unicorn, for its purity and grace, which can only be captured by a virgin, and a phoenix, which rises from the ashes into new life.
“This Satan’s drink is so delicious that it would be a pity to let the infidels have exclusive use of it.”
Who is Pope Clement VIII?
In the 17th century, coffee had yet to become the necessity it is today. Many even found its caffeinated nature dangerous, calling it “Satan’s drink” and called on Pope Clement VIII to ban it. Upon trying it himself, he liked it very much.
This sacrament allows you to be a lector, godparent, and sponsor it is also where our relationship with Christ is strengthened and confirms the promises we made at baptism.
What is Confirmation?
A liturgical vessel used to display Jesus in the Eucharist for adoration.
What is a monstrance?
One built their house on the sand, the other on THE Rock. When the rain came one house stood firm, while the other slid into the sea.
Who are the foolish man and the wise man?
The earliest this holiday can occur is March 22, which happened in 1818, and the latest it can occur is April 23, which happened in 1943 and will happen again in 2038. If calculated out for the next 5 million 700 thousand years, it will only occur on March 22 less than half of a percent of the time, whereas it will occur on April 19 a whopping 220,400 times, but not again until 2071.
What is Easter?
Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon that occurs on or after the Spring Equinox. By this logic, Easter can fall between March 22 and April 25, inclusive, meaning that 35 different liturgical calendars are possible.
“Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will perform wonders among you.”
Who is Joshua?
Joshua 3:5
The Church requires us to receive this at least once a year when a priest speaks to us "in persona Christi".
What is Reconciliation/Confession?
A locked box that stores the Eucharist outside of Mass, usually made of metal, like brass or bronze, and lined with white cloth.
What is the Tabernacle?
"The Burning Bush," "The Plagues," "Deliver Us," "When You Believe," and "Death of the First Born" are all songs on the soundtrack of this 1998 animated classic, which tells the story of friendship and brotherhood while remaining true to the biblical messages of identity, faith, and hope.
What is The Prince of Egypt?