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Considering the pope’s recent meeting with some of the world’s biggest comedians that acknowledged the importance of a good giggle, we thought we’d take a look at some prime examples of humor shared by some men and women of faith.
These saintly figures proved that they not only knew how to have a laugh, but they often joked at their own expense, and even when facing death.
Ven. Fulton Sheen
This witty quote is attributed to the late American bishop who was known for his work in the media and his preaching skills:
“Hearing nuns’ confessions is like being stoned to death with popcorn.”
St. Lawrence
It’s incredible to think that when faced with a painful death there’s still room for a little humor. However, the 3rd century Christian martyr is known for saying as he was being grilled alive:
“Turn me over, I’m done on this side.”
St. Thomas More
Like St. Lawrence, the English statesman managed to jest with his executioner before being decapitated in the 16th century. As he climbed the scaffold, he asked for help but assured his executioners he’d need none getting down!
St. Thomas was also known for his wry observations, such as:
“If honor were profitable, everybody would be honorable.”
Mother Angelica
While Mother Mary Angelica, the founder of the cable television network EWTN, is not a saint, during her lifetime she brought the Catholic faith into the homes of millions of Americans. She was known for her humor that was often self-deprecating. Here are just a couple of her pearls:
“If you’re experiencing stress or tension give it to Jesus. Tell Him, ‘I feel like crawling the wall, but I love You and I want to give this to You.’ Do you think our Lord wasn’t tense living with those twelve screwball apostles?”
And this quote talks of her own lack of patience!
“When I was a young novice I used to pray in the early morning, ‘Dear Lord, today I am going to be patient come hell or high water.’ And by nine o’clock came hell and high water! I blew it!”
St. Pope John XXIII
One of the last century’s popes was known for his self-deprecating humor. He was famously asked by an Italian journalist: “Your Holiness, how many people work in the Vatican?” The pontiff reflected a while and quipped: “About half of them.”
The pontiff also had the perfect advice for a little boy he was visiting in hospital. According to Emily Antenucci and Carol Glatz from the Catholic News Service:
“He asked the child what he wanted to be when he grew up. The boy said either a policeman or a pope. ‘I would go in for the police if I were you,’ the pope said. ‘Anyone can become a pope, look at me!'”
St. Patrick
It’s difficult to say whether this witty wisdom was definitely said by the patron saint of Ireland, but we can imagine that it is something that could quite feasibly have come from the saint’s mouth:
“Never trust a dog to watch your food.”
