User:Alekjds/dyk

I have receipts for 110 DYKs, of which 106 articles were of my own creation, two were expansions I performed of already-created articles, and two were hooks written for others' articles.

Did you know...

...that Saint Reineldis (pictured) is commonly depicted in art being dragged by the hair by Huns? (February 22, 2007)
...that at the time of his martyrdom in 202, Saint Charalampus was 113 years old? (March 15, 2007)
...that during the Holocaust, Capuchin friar Père Marie-Benoît created fake passports and baptism certificates in order to smuggle hundreds of Jews out of Southern France? (April 11, 2007)
... that Stephana de Quinzanis once threw herself upon a cartload of thorns in imitation of a penance done by St Thomas Aquinas? (April 12, 2007)
...that citizens from the city of Narni, Italy tried to kidnap Dominican mystic Columba of Rieti for their own city, but she escaped? (April 12, 2007)
...that legend says that Osanna of Mantua miraculously learned to read just by looking at a piece of paper with the words Jesus and Mary written on it? (April 13, 2007)
...that after being captured by pirates, Matthew Carrieri offered to remain a captive in place of others, which shocked the captain so much he set them all free? (April 14, 2007)
...that the concentration ability of Augustine Fangi reportedly allowed him to undergo an operation without anesthetic and feel nothing? (April 16, 2007)
...that the cities of Viterbo and Narni fought a two-year battle over where the popular nun Lucia Brocadelli of Narni would reside? (April 17, 2007)
...that Dominican Anthony Neyrot renounced Christianity after being captured by Moorish pirates, but publicly reconverted and was stoned to death at Tunis? (April 18, 2007)
...that Joachim Piccolomini (pictured) was repeatedly urged by his fellow Servites to become a priest, but felt unworthy to be anything more than an altar server? (April 19, 2007)
...that towards the end of his career, Gothic painter Henri Bellechose made commissions for the Dukes of Burgundy even though he was not paid at all? (April 20, 2007)
...that according to legend, when a peasant stole a donkey from Opportuna of Montreuil's abbey, she "left the matter up to God," and the next day, the peasant's field was sown with salt? (April 24, 2007)
...that the villagers of Kotor referred to Dominican visionary and anchoress Osanna of Cattaro as "the trumpet of the Holy Spirit" and the "teacher of mysticism"? (April 25, 2007)
...that William Firmatus, a Norman hermit, is said to have led a wild boar by the ear from a farmer's plot and instructed it to fast for the night in a solitary cell? (April 29, 2007)
...that Saint Gorgonia supposedly cured herself of a life-threatening illness by anointing herself with elements of the Eucharist mixed with her own tears? (May 2, 2007)
...that Wiborada, a spiritual mentor of Ulrich of Augsburg, was the first female saint to be canonized by the Vatican? (May 7, 2007)
...that Beatus of Lungern, a first century Christian missionary to Switzerland, is often depicted as a monk fighting a dragon? (May 11, 2007)
...that the Tarxien Temples (pictured) in Malta were discovered when the owner of a field figured that the large stones his workers kept hitting while ploughing may have some archaeological significance? (July 15, 2007)
...that while Angelina di Marsciano (pictured) was preaching in Naples, she was arrested under charges of sorcery and Manichaeism, because of how readily young women accepted her call to virginity? (July 19, 2007)
...that it took four sword strokes for St. Bademus' (pictured) terrified executioner to sever his head? (July 24, 2007)
...that the Gangetic whiting (pictured) is the only known species of fish to host the intestinal parasite Dichelyne alatae? (July 25, 2007) (Article created by Kare Kare)
...that of the sixty delegates to the Oregon Constitutional Convention (Oregon Territory Seal pictured), thirty-four were farmers, while eighteen were lawyers, including three justices of the Oregon Supreme Court? (July 26, 2007) (Article created by Aboutmovies)
...that Gal, Bishop of Clermont was known to be so even-tempered that once a man who had insulted him repented on the spot and threw himself at his feet? (November 13, 2007)
...that the seventh century hermit Goar of Aquitaine (pictured) is said to have suspended his cloak on a beam of sunlight? (November 14, 2007)
...that though legend says the mid-way bend in Pittsburgh's Armstrong Tunnel was a mistake and that the engineer responsible killed himself in shame, the chief engineer, Vernon R. Covell, did not commit suicide? (November 16, 2007)
...that until the French Revolution, the Belgian village of Moorsel was divided in two distinct sections? (January 4, 2008)
...that a legend says that when Philip de Braose irreverently spent the night in a church dedicated to Saint Afan, he was struck blind the next morning and his hunting dogs went mad? (January 5, 2008)
...that, according to the martyrology, the early 4th century Christian martyr Aedesius of Alexandria was tortured and drowned for striking a judge who had been forcing consecrated virgins to work in brothels? (January 7, 2008)
...that Blessed Veronica of Milan unsuccessfully tried to teach herself to read until an apparition of the Virgin told her that spiritual lessons were more important? (January 14, 2008)
...that because Fr. Joseph Strub believed the Irish were not seen to be as hard-working as Germans, he specifically requested that Fr. William Power not be selected as the first rector of the Pittsburgh Catholic College? (February 2, 2008)
...that Lambda Sigma, a college sophomore honor society originally founded for women only, was required to disband due to Title IX and was reestablished under its current name in 1975? (February 16, 2008)
...that alleged paranormal activity at the Andrew Bayne Memorial Library in Bellevue, Pennsylvania reportedly peaked in 1998, when a 400-year-old elm tree on the property was dying of Dutch elm disease? (February 22, 2008)
...that Desiderius Erasmus nicknamed his academic opponent Jacobus Latomus (pictured) "Hephestion," a reference to Latomus's distinct limp? (February 25, 2008)
...that Frances Siedliska (pictured) founded 29 communities of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth between 1875 and 1902? (March 1, 2008)
...that the Blessed Martyrs of Nowogródek were Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth who offered their lives during the Holocaust in exchange for the release of citizens of Nowogródek? (March 2, 2008)
...that Roman Catholic priests afflicted with alcoholism or other ailments can use unfermented grape juice, known as mustum, in place of sacramental wine during the Eucharist? (2008-03-23 - hook composed by Agne27)
... that Jacques-Désiré Laval (pictured), a Spiritan missionary to Mauritius, was the first person beatified by Pope John Paul II? (November 30, 2008)
... that upon his accession as the bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, John Tuigg found that the Panic of 1873 had left the diocese's property and finances in disarray? (February 10, 2010)
... that Fr. Martin Hehir, the fourth president of Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, was affectionately known to students as "Daddy Hehir"? (March 28, 2010)
... that Blessed Daniel Brottier, when asked by his mother what he wanted to be when he grew up, responded, "I will be the Pope"? (April 9, 2010)
... that Blessed Denis of the Nativity was a famous cartographer before he joined the Discalced Carmelites and became a priest? (April 13, 2010)
... that Maria Fortunata Viti, a Benedictine nun beatified by Pope Paul VI in 1967, remained illiterate her entire life? (April 13, 2010)
... that William J. Winter, while serving as auxiliary bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh, confirmed an estimated 45,000 Catholics? (May 4, 2010)
... that the original Saint Francis Xavier Cathedral building was saved from burning during the American Civil War when the parish priest imitated General Banks's voice and ordered Union troops to spare the church? (June 12, 2010)
... that since the superstructure of Johnstown's Cathedral of St. John Gualbert was laid using nearly 590,000 pounds (270,000 kg) of steel, the roof was able to be completed before the foundation walls? (June 14, 2010)
... that the church of Saint-Étienne-des-Grès was destroyed during the French Revolution and all its contents sold? (June 20, 2010)
... that the hamlet of Wigratzbad in Germany was home to Marian apparitions in the early 20th century, and today houses a shrine visited by approximately 500,000 pilgrims every year? (June 21, 2010)
... that despite his aristocratic background, Claude Poullart des Places requested to be buried in a pauper's grave? (June 21, 2010)
... that Ludwig Schwarz, the Roman Catholic bishop of Linz, Austria, has a doctorate in classical philology and archeology from the University of Vienna? (June 22, 2010)
... that when Fr. Jeremiah Callahan was appointed president of Duquesne University in 1931, he used the opportunity to tell reporters about his personal critique of Einstein's theory of relativity? (June 23, 2010)
... that Fr. John Willms once stood in the way of a locomotive in order to allow his congregation to hear a sermon in silence? (June 27, 2010)
... that while president of Pittsburgh Catholic College, Father John Tuohill Murphy (pictured) formed a close personal association with the future saint Katharine Drexel? (June 28, 2010)
... that during the 2006 student protests in Chile, students threw stones at the residence of Bishop Alejandro Goic Karmelic (pictured), although he had expressed a desire to mediate only hours before? (June 29, 2010)
... that members of the Roman Catholic lay ecclesial movement Intercessors of the Lamb wear teal habits because the color represents intercession between a green earth and a blue heaven? (July 8, 2010)
... that Holy Spirit College in Atlanta, Georgia, will admit its first class of full-time undergraduate students later this year? (July 13, 2010)
... that on April 5, 1933, the Independent Brewing Company of Pittsburgh sent President Roosevelt a case of low point beer to celebrate the passing of the Cullen-Harrison Act? (July 18, 2010)
... that the cast stone façade of Tucson, Arizona's Cathedral of Saint Augustine (pictured) uses indigenous desert plants as a design motif? (July 25, 2010)
... that the Cathedral of St. John Berchmans in Shreveport, Louisiana, is one of only a few churches in the world named after St. John Berchmans? (July 25, 2010)
... that Blessed Stephen Nehmé was known for repeating a mantra of "God can see me"? (July 27, 2010)
... that the Pittsburgh Wayfinder System is composed of more than 1,500 traffic signs that point the way to popular destinations in the City of Pittsburgh? (July 28, 2010)
... that as a young priest, Alexandre Le Roy accompanied an 1881 expedition to Bagamoyo, Tanzania, during which he wrote articles for European magazines? (August 1, 2010)
... that the town of Marche, Arkansas, was founded by a Polish count who wanted to restore the agricultural environment familiar to most Poles before their arrival in America? (August 3, 2010)
... that the flower Campanula zoysii is considered a symbol of the Slovenian Alps? (August 19, 2010)
... that Judson Welliver is widely regarded as having been the first presidential speechwriter? (December 29, 2010)
... that although Juan Solano came to South America to be the bishop of Cuzco, he first joined the Spanish army and fought at the Battle of Jaquijahuana? (January 8, 2011)
... that as theologian to the Pontifical Household, Wojciech Giertych provides advice to the Pope on theological issues? (January 10, 2011)
... that Blessed Hyacinthe-Marie Cormier was such a talented organist that Franz Liszt declared him to be a "master of the art"? (January 10, 2011)
... that the life of a nun, Agnes of Jesus, inspired Henri Cormier to join the Dominicans, and they were beatified together on November 20, 1994? (January 16, 2011)
... that although he is not a Catholic bishop, Father Keith Newton will carry a mitre and crozier in his role as Ordinary of the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham? (January 23, 2011)
... that Anthony Sadowski, after escaping captivity in the Great Northern War in 1704, came to America and helped Daniel Boone's father found Amity Township, Pennsylvania? (April 28, 2011)
... that when Father Raymond V. Kirk was appointed president of Duquesne University at the age of 38, he was one of the youngest university presidents in the United States? (May 19, 2011)
... that under the presidency of Father Francis P. Smith, Duquesne University founded WDUQ, Pittsburgh's first college radio station? (May 20, 2011)
... that a talking crow was buried near the temple of the Roman deity Rediculus? (May 28, 2011)
... that San Pellegrino in Vaticano (pictured) is one of the oldest churches in the Vatican City? (May 29, 2011)
... that heraldic artist Pierre de Chaignon la Rose was a friend of historian George Santayana? (June 27, 2011)
... that despite the customary practice of Catholic bishops tendering their resignations when they turn 75, Andrew Pataki's retirement was not accepted by the Pope until after he turned 80? (July 14, 2011)
... that John Michael Kudrick, the current bishop of the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Parma, holds master's degrees in mathematics and computer and information science? (July 16, 2011)
... that Adrian van Kaam brought food to Jews and others in hiding during Holland's "hunger winter" of 1944? (July 19, 2011)
... that the Congregation of the Sons of the Holy Family was founded by the son of a peasant farmer? (July 19, 2011)
... that Donald S. Nesti clashed with the Tamburitzans as president of Duquesne University? (July 22, 2011)
... that Duquesne University has named one of its colleges and a street on its campus in honor of Henry J. McAnulty? (July 24, 2011)
... that Duquesne University president Vernon F. Gallagher once composed an operetta and learned Slovak on his own? (July 25, 2011)
... that lumber magnate Theodore B. Basselin willed most of his fortune to The Catholic University of America to create a scholarship for young men studying for the Catholic priesthood? (February 10, 2012)
... that Theological College, a Roman Catholic seminary in Washington, D.C., educates seminarians from over 30 dioceses around the world? (February 22, 2012)
... that the Benedictine abbot Bernard Smith served as a Roman guide to the future King Edward VII, U.S. President Franklin Pierce, and Nathaniel Hawthorne? (May 13, 2013)
... that although most sources say that Stefano Pendinelli was martyred by Turks as the archbishop of Otranto, at least one source suggests that he died of fright? (May 20, 2013)
... that the Church of the Madonna dell'Archetto may be the smallest church in Rome? (March 5, 2014)
... that Mobhí Clárainech, whose surname means "flat faced" in Irish, was born without eyes or a nose? (March 17, 2014)
... that La Storta has a chapel, a piazza, and an annual feast day dedicated to the vision that Saint Ignatius is said to have experienced there in 1537? (April 4, 2014)
... that Lamprechtsofen was the deepest known cave on Earth for less than three years? (April 6, 2014)
... that the ancient Roman church of San Lorenzo in Piscibus was briefly used as a sculpture studio before being reconsecrated by Pope John Paul II in 1983? (January 8, 2015)
... that the villagers of Hodal in Herjedalen sent Olav Trondsson a 6-pound (2.7 kg) pike as a gift? (March 3, 2015)
... that the ancient church of San Trifone in Posterula was demolished during construction of the Convent of Sant'Agostino? (April 5, 2015)
... that the canons of the old St. Peter's Basilica would meet the Holy Roman Emperor at the church Santa Maria in Turri and greet him "as a brother"? (October 24, 2015)
... that Pope Benedict XVI elevated the parish church of Notre-Dame d'Alençon to the status of a minor basilica because of its connection to Thérèse of Lisieux and her parents? (November 25, 2015)
... that Johann Ludwig Hasslocher's French teachers in Manhattan couldn't pronounce his name, so they changed it to "Louis Hostlot"? (December 14, 2015)
... that Steven J. Lopes has been named the first bishop of any of the Catholic Church's three Anglican Use ordinariates? (December 24, 2015)
... that despite his role in saving its property from seizure by the Kingdom of Italy, Augustine Schulte was denied rectorship of the American College in Rome? (December 24, 2015)
... that Pope Pius IX ensured that the American College would get the property of a former convent where he used to serve Mass as a boy? (December 27, 2015)
... that the church of San Sebastiano de Via Papae was reputed to mark the site where Saint Sebastian's body was pulled out of a sewer? (March 19, 2016)
... that Gregory the Great wrote that Theodore the Sacristan was bedridden for days after experiencing a vision of Saint Peter? (March 23, 2016)
... that the church of Santa Lucia in Septisolio derived its name from a nearby ancient Roman ruin? (March 25, 2016)
... that the ancient church of San Caio (pictured) in Rome was demolished in 1878 during the construction of the Italian Ministry of Defense building? (March 27, 2016)
... that contrary to popular belief, Ss. Sergio e Bacco al Foro Romano (pictured) may not have been destroyed so that Charles V could pass through the Arch of Septimius Severus? (March 29, 2016)
... that Gregory the Great preached at San Menna? (April 2, 2016)
... that although Parmenian is considered by some historians to be the most important Donatist writer of his day, none of his works survive? (March 14, 2017)
... that according to their martyrdom account, Crispus, Crispinianus, and Benedicta (fresco pictured) went to comfort John and Paul, only to end up buried next to them? (March 17, 2017)
... that the ancient Romans used to bathe a sacred stone in the waters of the Almone on March 27? (March 27, 2017)
... that Max Schmalzl was called "the Bavarian Fra Angelico"? (December 17, 2017)
... that the first public meeting of the Catholic Historical Society of Western Pennsylvania was chaired by a bishop and drew a crowd of more than 500 people? (May 3, 2018)