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1. Scripture
Which prophets appeared with Jesus during Christ’s transfiguration when his clothes and face became radiant and God’s voice was heard saying, “This is my beloved son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to him!"
- a) David and Samuel
- b) Moses and Elijah
- c) Ezekiel and Moses
- d) Elijah and Abraham
2. Church Trivia
What did the Lateran Treaty between the Italian government and the Holy See that was signed 80 years ago on Feb. 11, 1929, do?
- a) It established the independent State of the Vatican City and resolved the long dispute, or “Roman Question,” over the papacy’s status that had been unresolved since 1861 when Rome was declared the Italian capital
- b) It confirmed the Catholic faith as the religion of Italy and required Catholic education in schools.
- c) It compensated the Vatican for the government’s takeover of papal property.
- d) All of the above.
3. Popes
I mentioned the Holy (or Apostolic) See, which refers not to the pope himself or to Vatican City but to the authority and jurisdiction of the Roman Catholic Church. What does “See” mean?
- a) to see the extent of the church’s earthly and spiritual power
- b) Latin for salvation
- c) Latin for “seat” as in the seat or throne of the pope
- d) a reference to the Great Schism and the secession of an antipope
4. Catholics in Hawaii
The Hawaii’s first Catholic missionary, Sacred Hearts Father Alexis Bachelot, was expelled twice from Hawaii by the Hawaiian monarchy. He died shortly after his second expulsion. Where did he go the first time he was deported?
- a) Tahiti
- b) California
- c) France
- d) Samoa
5. Picture
There are 14 Stations of the Cross. While there are different versions of this devotion, which number station is traditionally “Jesus meets his mother” (above)?
- a) fourth
- b) fifth
- c) seventh
- d) twelfth
6. Current Events
Abraham Lincoln’s 200th birthday was Feb. 12. What famous, religion-tinged words did his secretary of war Edwin M. Stanton allegedly say right after Lincoln died?
- a) “Now he belongs to the angels.”
- b) “Now he belongs to the ages.”
- c) “With malice toward none, with charity for all ... as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation’s wounds.”
- d) There is a dispute as to whether he said a or b.
7. Theology
Between 1979 and 1984 Pope John Paul II gave 129 lectures at his weekly papal audiences focusing on “human love in the divine plan” that were later compiled into one written work. What is this catechesis commonly known as? (Hint: You can find the answer on page 27.)
- a) Humanae Vitae
- b) Holy Vessels of Christ
- c) Theology of the Body
- d) Rosarium Virginis Mariae
8. Saint
St. Peter Damian (feast day Feb. 21) was an 11th century Italian monastic who was known for his piety and reformation efforts. He reluctantly became a cardinal-bishop, preferring his hermitage. So Peter Damian’s being given what title in 1828 might have embarrassed him?
- a) Doctor of the Church
- b) Posthumous Pope
- c) Father of Hermits
- d) Venerable
9. Lent
The day before Ash Wednesday is sometimes called Shrove Tuesday or Shrovetide. What does “shrove” mean?
- a) It’s British slang for pancake, the popular food made in British homes on Shrove Tuesday.
- b) The British do make pancakes, but shrove is the past tense of “to shrive,” meaning to confess or hear a confession as people were supposed to confess and do penance before Lent.
- c) Shrove is the Latin word for celebration since early Christians would have one last party before forty days of fasting.
- d) It’s a form of “shroud,” a burial veil that penitents used to cover their heads during Lent to symbolize Jesus’ death.
Answers: 1) b, 2) d, 3) c, 4) b, 5) a, 6) d, 7) c, 8) a, 9) b