The first recorded and verified Eucharistic miracle happened over 1,200 years ago in Lanciano, Italy at the small Church of St. Legontian. A priest who was doubting the Real Presence just finished the consecration when the consecrated host and wine changed into live Flesh and Blood. It still remains to this day and 20th century scientific studies prove it is real Flesh from a human heart and real type AB Blood that appears to be fresh.
St. Barbara was an early Christian martyr born in the 3rd century. She was extremely beautiful so her overly protective father kept her locked in a tower. She secretly converted to Christianity. She eventually professed her faith, refused to marry and would not participate in pagan idol worship. Her father had her tortured and eventually put to death by decapitation. There are legends of many miracles and healings related to St. Barbara. Feast: 4 December (Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Church)
It is common practice to genuflect as one enters a church pew or passes by the tabernacle with the most Holy Eucharist present. In recent years, however, lectors and others approaching the altar only bow, even if perfectly able to genuflect. Assuming the tabernacle is in the sanctuary, according to the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (for the Novus Ordo), regarding the norms for those other than the priest or deacon, it says “all who pass before the Most Blessed Sacrament genuflect, unless they are moving in procession.” (paragraph 274). Lectors and others approaching the altar should always genuflect.
Tradition holds, Mary appeared to St. James in A.D. 40 to encourage him during an especially difficult Mission to the pagans. She appeared with The Child Jesus standing on a pillar and asked St. James and several of his disciples to build a church on that spot. She promised it would stand until the end of time. The church of Our Lady of the Pillar in Zaragoza still stands to this day. It even had three bombs dropped on it during the Spanish Civil War and none of them exploded.
In 1268, the Cardinals started deliberating over who should replace the recently deceased Pope Clement IV. Familial and political alliances caused long, seemingly never ending debates. After three years of sede vacante, the locals in Rome decided to lock the bickering Cardinals in and limit their rations until a new Pope was elected. They elected Pope Gregory X, who would go on to implement Papal Conclave rules similar to what we have today.
Thousands of clergy and religious were killed for their faith during the 3 year Spanish Civil War. As of mid-2021, nearly 2,000 of them have been beatified and the process has started for another 2,000. An estimated 6,800 – 7,000 priests, monks, friars, and nuns were murdered during the Red Terror.
Around 1206, the Albigenses (Cathars) challenged St. Dominic to a public debate to discuss Catholic Doctrine vs. the heretical Cathar beliefs. St. Dominic had them cast both Catholic and Cathar texts into a fire. The Cathar texts were consumed by fire but the Catholic documents were not burned…they did this three times with the same results.
The reality of Purgatory has been part of the One True Faith since even before Christ walked the earth. After death purification has been official Church doctrine since the 13th Century. The earliest Christians, however, recognized this Truth and biblical evidence is plentiful: Psalm 51:6-10, 2 Maccabees 12:43-45, Matthew 5:24-25, I Corinthians 3:11-15.
The word Pagan was actually a demeaning Latin term that indicated vulgar, rustic, country people. It was likely used first by Roman soldiers mocking non-military or incompetent soldiers. After Christianity spread throughout Rome, the term Pagan was used to indicate a heathen who doesn’t believe in the monotheistic Judeo-Christian God.
Most eastern rite bishops wear golden headdresses. This isn’t a manifestation of vanity. In AD 200, St. Kirdjun (AKA as St. Abakerazum), in Alexandria, stole a golden headdress from the idol Sol Invictus. The bishop wore the headdress as a mockery of pagan idol worship which is a tradition that continues to this day.
During a major pandemic in the 3rd century, even though Christianity was illegal and Christians were being persecuted, St. Cyprian (a Bishop in North Africa) insisted Christian doctors treat everyone, even the non-Christians who were persecuting them. This charitable hospitality to the public was the beginning of hospitals as we know them today.
In AD 382, under the leadership of Pope Damasus, the Council of Rome complied the Christian Bible as we know it today. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the 73-book compilation has and will always remain the same.
The Church has recognized the truth in the Real Presence of Jesus Christ–Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity–in the Holy Eucharist from the beginning. Early Evidence: “I desire the Bread of God, which is the Flesh of Jesus Christ, who was of the seed of David, and for drink I desire His Blood, which is love incorruptible.” Ignatius of Antioch, AD 110.
The idea of barring politicians from church for public sin is nothing new. Saint Babylas, the Bishop of Antioch, in 250 AD barred the Roman emperor Decius from entering a Catholic church until he’d publicly repented of his sins.
While most Catholics aren’t taught to observe this, every Friday of the year is considered a day of penance and Roman Catholics should abstain from meat. According to Canon Law (1249 – 1253), there are some allowances for substitutes but you should generally abstain on Fridays.