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: Christopher Columbus reaches the Leeward Islands. (1493)
On November 4, 1493: Christopher Columbus reaches the Leeward Islands. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Consider us
On This Day: Eighty Years' War: In Flanders, Spain captures Antwerp (which is nearly... (1576)
On November 4, 1576: Eighty Years' War: In Flanders, Spain captures Antwerp (which is nearly destroyed after three days). This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how G
On This Day: The Battle of Myriokephalon is the last attempt by the Byzantine Empire to... (1176)
On September 17, 1176: The Battle of Myriokephalon is the last attempt by the Byzantine Empire to recover central Anatolia from the Seljuk Turks. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon
On This Day: World War II: U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt orders the United States... (1939)
On November 4, 1939: World War II: U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt orders the United States Customs Service to implement the Neutrality Act of 1939, allowing cash-and-carry purchases of weapons b
On This Day: World War II: Operation Pheasant, an Allied offensive to liberate North Brabant... (1944)
On November 4, 1944: World War II: Operation Pheasant, an Allied offensive to liberate North Brabant in the Netherlands, ends successfully. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illust
On This Day: The United States concludes Operation Fishbowl, its final above-ground nuclear... (1962)
On November 4, 1962: The United States concludes Operation Fishbowl, its final above-ground nuclear weapons testing series, in anticipation of the 1963 Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. This historica
On This Day: Lisbon Regicide: King Carlos I of Portugal and Infante Luis Filipe are shot dead... (1908)
On February 1, 1908: Lisbon Regicide: King Carlos I of Portugal and Infante Luis Filipe are shot dead in Lisbon. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadersh
On This Day: Prince William III of Orange lands with a Dutch fleet at Brixham to challenge... (1688)
On November 5, 1688: Prince William III of Orange lands with a Dutch fleet at Brixham to challenge the rule of King James II of England (James VII of Scotland). This historical event can serve as a p
On This Day: In New Zealand, 1600 armed volunteers and constabulary field forces led by... (1881)
On November 5, 1881: In New Zealand, 1600 armed volunteers and constabulary field forces led by Minister of Native Affairs John Bryce march on the pacifist Māori settlement at Parihaka, evicting upwar
On This Day: Woodrow Wilson is elected the 28th President of the United States, defeating... (1912)
On November 5, 1912: Woodrow Wilson is elected the 28th President of the United States, defeating incumbent William Howard Taft. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration abou
On This Day: During the Let Yet Kone massacre, the Burmese military kills 13 villagers,... (2022)
On September 16, 2022: During the Let Yet Kone massacre, the Burmese military kills 13 villagers, including eight children, after attacking a school in Sagaing Region, Myanmar. This historical event
On This Day: World War II: Bombing of the Vatican. (1943)
On November 5, 1943: World War II: Bombing of the Vatican. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Consider using it when
On This Day: André Dallaire attempts to assassinate Prime Minister Jean Chrétien of Canada.... (1995)
On November 5, 1995: André Dallaire attempts to assassinate Prime Minister Jean Chrétien of Canada. He is thwarted when the Prime Minister's wife locks the door. This historical event can serve as a
On This Day: Battle of Jemappes in the French Revolutionary Wars. (1792)
On November 6, 1792: Battle of Jemappes in the French Revolutionary Wars. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Consider
On This Day: Papua New Guinea gains independence from Australia. (1975)
On September 16, 1975: Papua New Guinea gains independence from Australia. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the gift of freedom and liberation. Consider using i
On This Day: Syrian civil war: The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) launch an offensive to... (2016)
On November 6, 2016: Syrian civil war: The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) launch an offensive to capture the city of Raqqa from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). This historical event
On This Day: Russia-United Kingdom relations are restored, over six years after the Communist... (1924)
On February 1, 1924: Russia-United Kingdom relations are restored, over six years after the Communist revolution. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leaders
On This Day: Uttawar forced sterilisations: Mass vasectomy of nearly 800 men of Uttawar... (1976)
On November 6, 1976: Uttawar forced sterilisations: Mass vasectomy of nearly 800 men of Uttawar village, Palwal district, Haryana during India's Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi. This historical e
On This Day: World War II: Italian troops conquer Sidi Barrani. (1940)
On September 16, 1940: World War II: Italian troops conquer Sidi Barrani. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about how God works through the events of history. Consider
On This Day: Elizabeth Stuart is crowned Queen of Bohemia. (1619)
On November 7, 1619: Elizabeth Stuart is crowned Queen of Bohemia. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about godly leadership and its impact. Consider using it when prea
On This Day: John Murray (also known as Lord Dunmore), the Royal Governor of the Colony of... (1775)
On November 7, 1775: John Murray (also known as Lord Dunmore), the Royal Governor of the Colony of Virginia, starts the first mass emancipation of slaves in North America by issuing Lord Dunmore's Off
On This Day: Howard Hughes sets a new air record by flying from Los Angeles to New York City... (1937)
On January 19, 1937: Howard Hughes sets a new air record by flying from Los Angeles to New York City in seven hours, 28 minutes, 25 seconds. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illus
On This Day: With the Grito de Dolores, Father Miguel Hidalgo begins Mexico's fight for... (1810)
On September 16, 1810: With the Grito de Dolores, Father Miguel Hidalgo begins Mexico's fight for independence from Spain. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the
On This Day: Slavery is abolished in Mauritius. (1835)
On February 1, 1835: Slavery is abolished in Mauritius. This historical event can serve as a powerful sermon illustration about the dignity and worth of every person made in God's image. Consider usi