If you’ve spent much time around Catholics you know…
Catholicism isn’t just a religion. It’s also a unique culture with plenty of unique quirks and trends, developed over more than two thousand years the Catholic church has been in existence.
Not a Catholic? Some of these unique quirks may not make sense to you, and that’s okay! Many Catholics have no problem being misunderstood by the majority of society.
But if you’re Catholic yourself or you’ve spent years around others who are (like I have!), you might just get a chuckle at this 13 quirky things devout Catholics do that no one else understands!
1. You Own Multiple Rosaries
Recently, on a popular social media platform, arrows_of_ithilien shared a fun conversation starter: “Tell me you’re Catholic without telling me you’re Catholic…” and the answers came pouring in.
For many Catholics, owning a rosary (or several!) is one tell-tale sign that someone is a proud and devoted Catholic.
Chestnutholly shared, “If you look in my purse, along with my other necessities you’ll always find a small bottle of holy water and a rosary.”
2. You Have at Least One Crucifix Hanging in Your Home
Decorating a new home? In addition to several rosaries scattered throughout, a prominently-placed crucifix is a must-have.
Whether it’s displayed prominently in the entryway, in the living room, or every bedroom in the house, every good Catholic household has to have at least one (if not several). Bonus points if they’re from the Holy Land.
3. You Have a Statue of Mary in Your Front Yard
Now that the inside of the home is properly decorated, we can’t forget the outside!
Whether big or small, no front garden is complete without a statue of Mary or another Saint to let passersby know that this house is Catholic and proud of it!
4. You Have a LOT of Kids (Or, At Least, Other People Think You Do)
Catholics certainly aren’t the only ones having lots of kids, but there’s no denying that large families are more commonplace in Catholic circles. Why have only two or three children when you could have ten or eleven?
Devout Catholics don’t believe in birth control, and besides, children are always a blessing from God. The more the merrier!
5. They’re All Named After Saints
Catholics aren’t just known for having lots of children. It’s very common within Catholic culture for parents to name their children after Saints and theologians from years gone by.
We’re not talking the common biblical names, either. Anyone can name their child Benjamin, David, or John. Catholics, however, often want to find that perfect name that’s both unique and obviously religious.
Mead_and_You shared, “I wanted to keep going till we had 11 boys, one for (almost) each Apostle. My wife wasn’t keen on Bartholomew though, which is a shame because that is the one I wanted the most.”
6. You’ve Accidentally Genuflected in Front of a Movie Theatre Screen
Not all Catholics genuflect (kneel down on one knee) before entering a church pew, but for those who do, the action often becomes automatic. More than one Catholic shared how they accidentally embarrassed themselves by kneeling when it wasn’t appropriate to do so!
Isfrid shared, “Muscle memory, man, muscle memory. My cradle Catholic brain sees a large darkened room with multiple rows of seats and the next thing I know I’m dropping down on one knee in front of ‘”Finding Dory.'”
Thankfully, devout Catholics understand the reflex and won’t laugh… too much.
7. You Have Multiple Saint Cards Scattered Around Your House
Do Saint cards multiply while you sleep? Sometimes it feels like they do!
Many Catholic households have multiple Saint cards scattered all around — from the bathroom mirror, to the fridge, to the car, to a small religious shrine set up on a mantle. LifeTurned93 shared, “If you open my wallet you may or may not find some money but you WILL find multiple images of the saints and of Mary.”
(If you aren’t familiar with these cards, they’re similar to baseball trading cards, but with pictures of the Saints.)
8. You Plan Your Vacations Around Must-See Religious Sites
You don’t have to visit the Holy Land or Rome to take in Catholic culture. Whether traveling across the country or just down the road, many devout Catholics plan their vacations to include Catholic churches and religious sightseeing stops they don’t want to miss!
After all, every trip is an opportunity to appreciate (and teach their children to appreciate) Catholic culture, heritage, and tradition.
9. You Love a Good Friday Fish Fry
Catholics don’t eat meat on Fridays during Lent, according to the Catholic Lent rules, but fish doesn’t count.
For this reason, many Catholic Christians look forward to Friday night fish fries all week. Catholic-compliant food, a social event with other believers, and you don’t have to cook? Yes, please! Plus, the money typically goes to a good cause.
10. You Keep Holy Water on Hand at All Times
Holy Water (water that has been blessed by a priest) isn’t just for baptisms and the back of Catholic churches anymore!
Many devout Catholics will carry small vials or containers of Holy Water with them wherever they go. This water can be used to bless someone who is ill, a car for safe travels, or for any number of purposes.
11. You’ve Said “Amen” at Inappropriate Times
Similar to genuflecting, saying “amen” can be a habit that’s difficult to break. This can lead to some embarrassing moments with Catholics say “amen” an an odd or inappropriate time.
This has happened to JulieannFromChicago repeatedly. She shared, “Someone hands me food, and I say, ‘amen.'”
12. You’ve Replied to “May the Force be With You” with “And Also With You.”
As if saying “amen” wasn’t awkward enough, many Catholics have found themselves accidentally but enthusiastically responding with “and also with you!” This can get very awkward on May 4th when non-Catholic Star Wars fans typically say “May the Force be with you!”
Alternately, replying “And with your spirit” can be just as awkward.
13. You Make the Sign of the Cross… Regularly
Speaking of reflexes, many Catholics routinely make the sign of the cross — both when they mean to and when they don’t.
Hanniabej shared, “My child once crossed himself at a bird bath at Lowes when he was a toddler.” Thankfully, that’s just adorable!
15 Common Catholic Church “Facts” Protestants Constantly Get Wrong
Think you know the Catholic Church? Think again.
Despite being the largest Christian denomination in the United States (and the world), much of what people believe about Catholics and the Catholic church simply isn’t true.
Are you guilty of believing any of these 15 Catholic Church myths?
15 Common Catholic Church “Facts” Protestants Constantly Get Wrong
10 Famous People You Didn’t Know Were Catholic
Celebrities and other famous people often keep their personal beliefs and religious affiliations private, but sometimes, their faith is an essential part of their lives. While some famous people openly embrace their Catholic faith, others may surprise you with their devoutness.
In this article, we’ll explore ten famous people you may not have known were Catholic.
Brittany Ann is an ECPA bestselling author and founder of Equipping Godly Women and Monetize My Ministry. She’s also a Christian speaker, podcaster, and conference host. Her work has been featured on numerous TV, radio, and online ministries, including CBN, MSN, Christianity Today, Evangelical Alliance, Patheos, Crosswalk, and more.
