Quiz: How Much About Catholicism Do You Know?
The Roman Catholic Church is the largest Christian church in the world. Despite the religion being so widespread, not many people understand the details of Catholicism.
With its unique hierarchy and centuries-long traditions, the Catholic Church has many elements that people from other religions may not understand. Do you know how the pope is chosen? Can you glance at the acronym on a cross and translate what it means? Take this Catholicism quiz to find out!
What is the first of the Seven Sacraments?
A. Baptism
B. Confirmation
C. The Holy Eucharist
D. Holy Orders
Answer: Baptism
The first Sacrament is Baptism, through which a worshiper becomes a member of the Catholic Church. The rest, in order, include Confirmation, the Holy Eucharist, Reconciliation of Penance, Anointing the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony.
What is the Holy Trinity?
A. The Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit
B. The Father, Mother, and Son
C. The Father, Son, and Daughter
D. The Holy Spirit, the Holy Body, and the Holy Mind
Answer: The Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit
The Holy Trinity consists of the Father (God), the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit. The doctrine is known as Trinitarianism, in which God is one deity with “three defined persons.”
Which position is second to the pope?
A. Archbishops
B. Cardinals
C. Priests
D. Bishops
Answer: Cardinals
A cardinal, also called a prince of the College of Cardinals, is second to the pope. Cardinals run papal elections, attend meetings with the pope, and oversee the Holy See when it is vacant.
Which Biblical event inspired the Eucharist?
A. The Exodus
B. Saul’s Conversion
C. The Ascension
D. The Last Supper
Answer: The Last Supper
The Eucharist mirrors the Last Supper, in which Jesus commanded his followers to perform the rite “in memory of me.” And it isn’t just a Catholic rite; Lutherans, Anglicans, and some Reformed Christians also perform it.
Who chooses the new pope?
A. College of Cardinals
B. The Gospel Coalition
C. Council of Chalcedon
D. Cult of Reason
Answer: College of Cardinals
The College of Cardinals chose the new pope. They are a group of the church’s highest officials, usually ordained bishops chosen by the previous pope. When the time comes, they meet at the Vatican for the election (called a Conclave).
What is papal infallibility?
A. The pope cannot sin
B. The pope cannot make mistakes
C. The pope is born perfect
D. The pope is always chosen correctly
Answer: The pope cannot make mistakes
Papal infallibility is the concept that the pope cannot err while teaching faith or morals. The pope can (and does) still sin, but papal infallibility states that Jesus speaks through the pope and must be true.
Catholic crosses often sport the letters INRI. What does this mean?
A. Jesus, King of the World
B. Jesus, King of the Jews
C. He Is Risen
D. Jesus, the Son of God
Answer: Jesus, King of the Jews
INRI stands for the Latin phrase Iēsus Nazarēnus, Rēx Iūdaeōrum, which translates to “Jesus of Nazarene, King of the Jews” (John 19:19). Variations of this acronym have spread, such as the Greek INBI, which means “Jesus, the King of Glory.”
What is a venial sin?
A. Sin committed with knowledge
B. Sin committed without knowing it
C. Sin that does send people to Hell
D. Sin that does not send people to Hell
Answer: Sin that does not send people to Hell
In Catholicism, venial sins are ones that do not damn people to Hell. Unlike mortal sins, venial sins don’t sever one’s relationship with God, and they cannot “add up” to become a mortal sin.
Devil’s Advocate used to be an official position in the Catholic Church. What did this person do?
A. Act as a Catholic lawyer
B. Reveal mistakes made by the pope
C. Pinpoint flaws in church doctrine
D. Argue against a saint’s canonization
Answer: Argue against a saint’s canonization
A Devil’s Advocate argued against the canonization of a new saint. By doing so, they explored any misinterpretation or flaws regarding the person’s canonization. The role was changed in 1983 under Pope John Paul II.
The season of Advent prepares Catholics for which holiday?
A. All Saint’s Day
B. Christmas
C. Easter
D. Good Friday
Answer: Christmas
Advent is the season in which Catholics (and other denominations) prepare for Christmas. It begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, near St. Andrew’s Day, and it ends on Christmas Eve.
Who was the first Catholic Pope?
A. Saint Patrick
B. Saint Anthony
C. Saint Paul
D. Saint Peter
Answer: Saint Peter
Catholic Popes are believed to be spiritually descended from Saint Peter. In Matthew 16:19, Jesus gave Peter the “keys to the kingdom of heaven,” which is believed to be held by all Popes.
How many beads do most Roman Catholic rosaries have?
A. 59
B. 108
C. 27
D. 50
Answer: 59
Catholic rosaries contain 59 beads in total. The beads are split into five groups of ten, called decades. Hail Mary is recited throughout the decade, and the Lord’s Prayer is said on the large bead.
Lent begins on _____.
A. Holy Saturday
B. Ash Wednesday
C. Palm Sunday
D. Holy Thursday
Answer: Ash Wednesday
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday. The religious observance traditionally continues for 40 days to mirror the time that Jesus spent fasting in the desert.
Name the device used to sprinkle holy water.
A. Aspersorium
B. Agiasmos
C. Aspergillum
D. Asper
Answer: Aspergillum
An aspergillum is a device the sprays holy water. The word comes from the Latin verb aspergere, which means “to sprinkle.” An aspersorium contains the holy water, and the water itself is called agiasmos.
To be canonized as a saint, one needs to
A. summon an angel.
B. perform two miracles.
C. be a priest.
D. correctly predict the future.
Answer: perform two miracles.
Canonization includes several steps, but the final steps include at least two miracles. These instances have to be “verified” through witness testimony or oversight for someone to become a saint.
Pope Francis is the first ____ pope.
A. Somascan
B. Servite
C. Dominican
D. Jesuit
Answer: Jesuit
In 2013, Pope Francis became the first Jesuit Pope. Born as Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Argentina, Pope Francis followed the Jesuit religious order that has aided him and others since 1540.
What is the cross worn by bishops, cardinals, and abesses called?
A. Choir cross
B. Chusable cross
C. Pectoral cross
D. Alb cross
Answer: Pectoral cross
A pectoral cross is worn by cardinals, bishops, priests, and some nuns for practical use as well as a symbol of status. Originally, they were used to distinguish a bishop from a monsignor.
Most Catholics live in which country?
A. Mexico
B. Brazil
C. Italy
D. United States
Answer: Brazil
Over 127 million Catholics live in Brazil, which is around 11.7% of the world’s Catholics. The other most Catholic-filled countries include Mexico, the Philippines, the United States, Italy, Columbia, and France.
Why do Catholics pray for the dead?
A. It is a sin not to.
B. It helps souls in Purgatory.
C. It will guide their souls when they die.
D. It prevents the worshipers from not going to Purgatory after they die.
Answer: It helps souls in Purgatory.
Catholics believe that some souls go to Purgatory. Until these souls have purified from their sins, they will not go to heaven. By praying for these souls, Catholics hope to help them.
Which Disciple betrayed Jesus for silver?
A. Judas
B. Joseph
C. Michael
D. Matthew
Answer: Judas
One of the original Twelve Disciples, Judas Iscariot, betrayed Jesus to the Sanhedrin. In return, Judas was awarded silver. The betrayal ultimately led to the capture and death of Jesus.
To announce the election of a new pope, cardinals…
A. send white smoke through the chimney of the Sistine Chapel.
B. hold a press conference.
C. recite the Apostles’ Creed.
D. light torches around Vatican Square.
Answer: send white smoke through the chimney of the Sistine Chapel.
When a new pope is elected, white smoke rises from the Sistine Chapel. If a pope has not been elected, black smoke appears. It alerts the Catholics watching from around the world.
