In this episode of his YouTube series, “Breaking the Habit,” Father Casey Cole, OFM, shares 50 fast facts about the Catholic faith.
The video sheds light on various points of Catholic trivia, ranging from Vatican secrets to shocking moments in Catholic history.
Have you heard any of these bits of trivia before? What would you add to his list?
Here is a shortened version of Father Casey Cole’s list of interesting facts to know and share!
1) The Vatican has its own telescope in Arizona!
It is called the Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope. Its usage and maintenance are shared with the University of Arizona.
2) There are secret tunnels and passages underneath the Vatican.
“Tunnels like these were used in war times to allow the pope to escape violence and to sneak in goods,” Father Casey explains.
3) At one time, the Church had to put out a decree stating that a greyhound dog was not, in fact, a saint, after a town declared a dog to be a saint and martyr.
The dog was referred to as Saint Guinefort.
4) The world’s largest Rosary exists in Beirut.
It is made entirely of concrete and measures 1965 feet!
5) There are at least 831 different religious communities in the Church.
6) Groundhog Day has Catholic origins.
7) “There are nine sins that incur the penalty of automatic excommunication,” Father Casey says.
These sins include apostasy, heresy, schism, violating the sacred species, physically attacking the pope, consecrating a bishop without proper authorization, directly violating the seal of confession, and procuring an abortion.
8) Saint Pope John Paul II was an honorary Harlem Globetrotter!
9) "Since the end of the Civil War, only five military chaplains have ever received the Medal of Honor. All five were Catholic priests,” Father Casey says.
10) Good Friday is the only day of the year that Mass cannot be celebrated.
Weddings, confirmations, and ordinations are not allowed on Good Friday, either. Baptisms and anointing of the sick can only be performed under special circumstances.
11) The most remote parish on earth is Saint Joseph’s Church on the island of Tristan da Cunha in the South Atlantic Ocean.
Father Casey explains that the closest church is 1500 miles away!