Hello everybody, here we are at the start of Lent. To get you into the right frame of mind, I’ve thrown in a few Lent-related quiz questions for you to ponder.

1. Theology

If you read the article on page 14 about Father Stephen Rosetti, you’ll know this answer. What is the Greek word for “thanksgiving?”

• a) thankilos
• b) eucharistia
• c) thusia
• d) anamnesis

2. Lent Question

Where does the word Lent come from?

• a) It was named after Victorinus Lent, a third century theologian who studied the symbolism of the number 40 as it appears so often in Scripture.
• b) Its derivation is the word “lentil,” the tiny bean which, for centuries, was the main ingredient in monastery soups commonly consumed for Lenten meals.
• c) It comes from the Anglo Saxon word “lengten,” meaning spring.
• d) It’s from the Italian musical term “lentando” meaning “becoming slower,” referring to a more reflective nature of the forty days of Lent.

3. Scripture

What book in the Bible comes before the Acts of the Apostles?

• a) John
• b) Romans
• c) Corinthians
• d) Matthew

4. Vatican II

True or false. The Second Vatican Council did away with indulgences.

• a) True
• b) False
• c) Vatican II only did away with plenary indulgences not partial indulgences.
• d) The council did away with plenary and partial indulgences and created one new, less controversial indulgence.

5. Picture

This picture shows, clockwise from left, a chalice, a ciborium, and what other sacred vessel?

• a) a goblet
• b) a plate
• c) a paten
• d) a cruet

6. Current Events

The return of the apostolic nunciature in this Asia capital city back to the Catholic Church by early February was promised by government officials after protests and prayer vigils by local Catholics. (See page 22.)

• a) Beijing, China
• b) Phnom Penh, Cambodia
• c) Bangkok, Thailand
• d) Hanoi, Vietnam

7. Church in Hawaii

What was the top concern to emerge from Synod 2000, which Bishop Francis X. DiLorenzo called together June 12-14, 2000?

• a) building of new churches
• b) youth and young adult ministry
• c) lack of vocations to the priesthood
• d) the clergy sex abuse crisis

8. Saints

This former slave (feast day: Feb. 8) became a Catholic and later a religious in the Institute of St. Magdalene of Canossa.

• a) St. Josephine Bakhita
• b) St. Patrick
• c) St. Onesimus
• d) St. Mary the Slave

9. Church Trivia

What color vestments do priests and deacons wear during the season of Lent?

• a) blue
• b) red
• c) green
• d) purple

10. Other Religions

Gordon B. Hinckley, the president and top official of this religion, recently died at the age of 97. Hinckley is considered a prophet by his church and was the most traveled president in its history.

• a) The United Methodist Church
• b) The Greek Orthodox Church
• c) The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• d) The United Church of Christ

11. Lent Question

What does Mardi Gras mean?

• a) It is German for “the grass is greener”
• b) It is Latin for “delay until tomorrow.”
• c) It is Hebrew for “fire preceding ashes”
• d) It is French for “Fat Tuesday.”