Dear Quizmatics, You’re so bright, I had to put on my shades. Just a summer joke, my friends. We have a variety of topics for you today, and as always, a few Hawaii ones (my specialty). Happy head-scratching!

1. Scripture

The river Jordan connects which two bodies of water?

• a) Sea of Damascus and Jacob’s Well
• b) Sea of Galilee and the Dead Sea
• c) Red Sea and the Lake of Tarsus
• d) Sea of Galilee and the Mediterranean

2. Creed

What is meaning of the word Nicene?

• a) It is the city where St. Paul was born.
• b) It is the name of the seventh pope.
• c) It is the name of the creed issued by the Council of Nicaea in 325 A.D.
• d) It means “beautiful view” in Greek.

3. Hawaii’s Beatified

When and where did Pope John Paul II beatify Father Damien?

• a) May 12, 1996 in Washington, D.C.
• b) August 4, 1994 in Vatican City
• c) May 1, 1988 in Carville, Louisiana
• d) June 4, 1995 in Brussels, Belgium

4. Saints

St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuits, celebrates his feast day on July 31. He is the patron saint of __.

• a) retreats
• b) geology
• c) rescuers
• d) loyalty

5. Theology

In the church, what is the difference between liturgical celebrations labeled either a feast or a solemnity?

• a) A feast is a higher rank than a solemnity.
• b) They are different names for the same liturgical celebration.
• c) A solemnity is a higher rank than a feast.
• d) A feast and a solemnity are outranked by a memorial.

6. Picture

The only of the four patriarchal basilicas in Rome that has the majority of its original structure intact, this church (above) celebrates its dedication on Aug. 5.

• a) St. John Lateran
• b) St. Mary Major
• c) St. Peter
• d) St. Augustus

7. Current Events

Where did Pope Benedict XVI vacation from July 9-27 before moving to his villa in Castel Gandolfo, Italy?

• a) Venice, Italy
• b) the Swiss countryside
• c) Bavaria, Germany
• d) the Italian Alps

8. Religious Orders

The Order of the Minims was founded by the 15th century Italian saint, Francis of Paola (or Paula). Where does the order get its name?

• a) It shows the order’s emphasis on humility and comes from the Latin word for least, or minimus.
• b) The order supports a higher minimum wage.
• c) The group started in the Italian town of Minim.
• d) St. Francis of Paola loved small objects.

9. Church Trivia

Which famous artwork can be seen in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome?

• a) Leonardo da Vinci’s “Last Supper”
• b) Bernini’s “Ecstasy of St. Teresa”
• c) Michelangelo’s “Pieta”
• d) Caravaggio’s “The Conversion of St. Paul”

10. Devotions

What is the Angelus?

• a) the appearance of the choir of angels the night of Jesus’ birth
• b) an architectural term for certain angles in churches
• c) Latin word for lamb
• d) a daily prayer said in the morning, midday, and night to honor the Incarnation of Jesus.

11. Church in Hawaii

Which missionary bishop of Hawaii grew up in the islands?

• a) Bishop Stephen Alencastre
• b) Bishop Larry Silva
• c) Bishop Louis Maigret
• d) Bishop Libert Boeynaems

12. Sacraments

Holy Orders is a sacrament with three degrees. What are they?

• a) seminarian, deacon, priest
• b) deacon, priest and bishop
• c) Baptism, Holy Eucharist and Confirmation
• d) blessing, anointing, and laying on of hands

Answers: 1) b  2) c  3) d  4) a  5) c  6) b  7) d  8) a 9) c 10) d 11) a  12) b