Category: Did you know?

The Fire of St. Elmo

The static electric discharge known as St. Elmo’s Fire gets its name from St. Erasmus, the Bishop of Formia, Campagna, Italy. Erasmus — or Elmo, as his name sometimes passes into English — was martyred by being disemboweled during the … Continue reading

Epilepsy

Epilepsy is named after a Sicilian martyr.  Around the same time as St. Erasmus’ victory, a 12-year-old boy named Vitus also won the palm of martyrdom, with his companions Modestus and Crescentia.  According to some sources, a rather odd devotion … Continue reading

Jagermeister Facts

The image on the Jägermeister bottle is a Christian symbol. In many American cities, it is a common sight to see large billboard ads for this imported German liqueur: “Jägermeister… so smooth.” What catches our attention is the symbol on … Continue reading

Westminster Abbey was stolen!

Westminster Abbey was stolen! As is the case with all ancient English churches, monasteries, or convents presently in the hands of the Anglicans, the famed Abbey where English monarchs are crowned and buried, was once the property of a Catholic … Continue reading

The Destruction of Jerusalem

Dom Prosper Guéranger’s masterpiece of Catholic piety and erudition, The Liturgical Year is now happily back in print. The following selection, which comes from Volume 11 (pgs. 215-249) of the fifteen-volume work, is the learned and holy Abbot’s reflections on the Gospel … Continue reading