Catholic Illustrations
Sacramental life, apostolic tradition, Magisterium.
Key question: “How does this connect to sacramental grace and Church teaching?”
16658 illustrations found
On This Day: World War II: Union of South Africa declares war on Germany. (1939)
On September 6, 1939: World War II: Union of South Africa declares war on Germany. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history.
On This Day: Seven Japanese military and political leaders convicted of war crimes by the... (1948)
On December 23, 1948: Seven Japanese military and political leaders convicted of war crimes by the International Military Tribunal for the Far East are executed by Allied occupation authorities at Sug
On This Day: The North Tower of the World Trade Center in Manhattan, New York, New York is... (1970)
On December 23, 1970: The North Tower of the World Trade Center in Manhattan, New York, New York is topped out at 417 metres (1,368 ft), making it the tallest building in the world. This historical e
On This Day: Voyager, piloted by Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager, lands at Edwards Air Force Base... (1986)
On December 23, 1986: Voyager, piloted by Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager, lands at Edwards Air Force Base in California becoming the first aircraft to fly non-stop around the world without aerial or grou
On This Day: An agreement is made for the Kingdom of Nepal to be abolished and the country to... (2007)
On December 23, 2007: An agreement is made for the Kingdom of Nepal to be abolished and the country to become a federal republic with the Prime Minister becoming head of state. This historical event
On This Day: The Lateran Council ends by condemning the Council of Hieria and anathematizing... (769)
On April 15, 769: The Lateran Council ends by condemning the Council of Hieria and anathematizing its iconoclastic rulings. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how
On This Day: The Central Intelligence Agency releases documents under the Freedom of... (1977)
On July 20, 1977: The Central Intelligence Agency releases documents under the Freedom of Information Act revealing it had engaged in mind-control experiments. This historical event can serve as a po
On This Day: Pope Boniface VIII is elected, replacing St. Celestine V, who had resigned. (1294)
On December 24, 1294: Pope Boniface VIII is elected, replacing St. Celestine V, who had resigned. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the eve
On This Day: World War II: Pope Pius XII makes a Christmas Eve appeal for peace. (1939)
On December 24, 1939: World War II: Pope Pius XII makes a Christmas Eve appeal for peace. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the pursuit of peace in a broken worl
On This Day: World War II: U.S. General Dwight D. Eisenhower is named Supreme Allied... (1943)
On December 24, 1943: World War II: U.S. General Dwight D. Eisenhower is named Supreme Allied Commander for Operation Overlord. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about
On This Day: The Swiss Anabaptist Movement is founded when Conrad Grebel, Felix Manz, George... (1525)
On January 21, 1525: The Swiss Anabaptist Movement is founded when Conrad Grebel, Felix Manz, George Blaurock, and about a dozen others baptize each other in the home of Manz's mother in Zürich, break
On This Day: Vietnam War: Viet Cong operatives bomb the Brinks Hotel in Saigon, South Vietnam... (1964)
On December 24, 1964: Vietnam War: Viet Cong operatives bomb the Brinks Hotel in Saigon, South Vietnam to demonstrate they can strike an American installation in the heavily guarded capital. This his
On This Day: Eastern Emperor Leo V is murdered in a church of the Great Palace of... (820)
On December 25, 820: Eastern Emperor Leo V is murdered in a church of the Great Palace of Constantinople by followers of Michael II. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration
On This Day: Henry III is crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Clement II. (1046)
On December 25, 1046: Henry III is crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Clement II. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history.
On This Day: The Troubles: In Operation Motorman, the British Army re-takes the urban no-go... (1972)
On July 31, 1972: The Troubles: In Operation Motorman, the British Army re-takes the urban no-go areas of Northern Ireland. It is the biggest British military operation since the Suez Crisis of 1956,
On This Day: Pope Pius IV is elected, four months after his predecessor's death. (1559)
On December 25, 1559: Pope Pius IV is elected, four months after his predecessor's death. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of h
On This Day: World War II: Battle of Hong Kong ends, beginning the Japanese occupation of... (1941)
On December 25, 1941: World War II: Battle of Hong Kong ends, beginning the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works thr
On This Day: A bomb explodes at the home of Harry T. Moore and Harriette V. S. Moore, early... (1951)
On December 25, 1951: A bomb explodes at the home of Harry T. Moore and Harriette V. S. Moore, early leaders of the Civil Rights Movement, killing Harry instantly and fatally wounding Harriette. This
On This Day: The Soviet Union conducts its final above-ground nuclear weapon test, in... (1962)
On December 25, 1962: The Soviet Union conducts its final above-ground nuclear weapon test, in anticipation of the 1963 Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. This historical event can serve as a powerful
On This Day: Berengar I is elected as king of Italy by the lords of Lombardy. He is crowned... (887)
On December 26, 887: Berengar I is elected as king of Italy by the lords of Lombardy. He is crowned with the Iron Crown of Lombardy at Pavia. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illu
On This Day: Napoleonic Wars: The French Navy defeats the British Royal Navy, preventing them... (1810)
On August 27, 1810: Napoleonic Wars: The French Navy defeats the British Royal Navy, preventing them from taking the harbour of Grand Port on Île de France. This historical event can serve as a power
On This Day: Japanese invasion of Taiwan: Battle of Baguashan: The Empire of Japan decisively... (1895)
On August 27, 1895: Japanese invasion of Taiwan: Battle of Baguashan: The Empire of Japan decisively defeats a smaller Formosan army at Changhua, crippling the short-lived Republic of Formosa and lead
On This Day: The Israel-Syria Mixed Armistice Commission brokers the last of four ceasefire... (1949)
On July 20, 1949: The Israel-Syria Mixed Armistice Commission brokers the last of four ceasefire agreements to end the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illu
On This Day: Cold War: In Philadelphia, Harry Gold pleads guilty to spying for the Soviet... (1950)
On July 20, 1950: Cold War: In Philadelphia, Harry Gold pleads guilty to spying for the Soviet Union by passing secrets from atomic scientist Klaus Fuchs. This historical event can serve as a powerfu