Catholic Knowledge Bowl Questions

Prepared by Father Gary Janak

March 2014

1. In what source is found a majority of the law governing the Catholic Church?
a. The Mosaic Law
b. The Code of Canon Law
c. The Catechism of the Catholic Church
d. Business Law

2. What color or colors can be used by a priest when celebrating a Funeral Mass?
a. White only.
b. White, black and purple.
c. Black and purple.
d. Black.

3. At what point, during a wedding ceremony in the Catholic Church, does the bride and groom
become husband and wife?
a. When the priest or deacon offers them the Nuptial Blessing.
b. When the priest or deacon pronounce them as husband and wife.
c. When the bride and groom offer consent through the exchange of their vows.
d. When the groom kisses the bride.

4. How many major basilicas are located within the walls of the Vatican?
a. One
b. Three
c. Two
d. None

5. What is the earliest age in which a man can be ordained a priest, unless granted a
dispensation by the pope?
a. 35
b. 25
c. 30
d. 26

6. What oils are used in the Sacrament of Baptism?

a. Oil of the Catechumens and Chrism
b. Anointing of the Sick and Catechumenate
c. Only Chrism is used.
d. Anointing of the Sick and Catechumenate
7. What does the Catholic Church consider to be the age of reason?
a. 5
b. 7
c. 10
d. 3

8. At what age are cardinals of the Catholic Church no longer eligible to vote in a consistory
electing a new pope?
a. There is no age limit
b. 75
c. 80
d. 70

9. According to canon law, what is the earliest age in which a priest can be ordained a bishop?
a. 35
b. 45
c. 40
d. 50

10. What does the Sacrament of Baptism wash away?

a. Personal sin only
b. Original sin only
c. Original sin and personal sin
d. Concupiscence

11. Which of the following sacrament(s) can a permanent deacon NOT celebrate?
a. Eucharist only
b. Eucharist, Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders and
Confirmation
c. Confirmation and Eucharist
d. Confirmation only

12. What is the name of the church where a bishop's cathedra is located?
a. The chancery
b. The cathedral
c. The bishop's office
d. The bishop's chapel

13. What are the names of the Sacraments of Initiation?

a. Baptism and Anointing of the Sick
b. Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist
c. Confirmation, Baptism and Holy Orders
d. Holy Orders, Eucharist and Reconciliation
14. What is the name of the Mass a bishop must celebrate every year with the priests of his
diocese?
a. Easter Sunday Mass
a. Holy Thursday Mass
c. The Chrism Mass
d. Confirmation Mass

15. At what age must a bishop submit his letter of resignation to the pope?
a. 70
b. 75
c. 80
d. He doesn't have to resign.

16. What is the name of the largest Catholic Church in the Western Hemisphere?
a. The Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City
b. The Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.
c. The Metropolitan Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary in Mexico City.
d. Saint Patrick's Cathedral in New York City.

17. How many sacraments can a Catholic receive only once?

a. 7
b. 3
c. 4
d. 2

18. The reigning pope, Pope Francis, is the ______ pope?

a. 263rd
b. 198th
c. 266th
d. 304th

19. In the course of a given day, how many times can a Catholic receive Holy Communion?
a. Once
b. Three times
c. Twice
d. As many times as he/she desires.

20. Which is NOT a precept of the Catholic Church?

a. You shall attend Mass on Sundays and on holy days of obligation and rest from
servile labor
b. You shall receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist at least during the Easter season.
c. You shall send your children to a Catholic school.
d. You shall observe the days of fasting and abstinence established by the Church.
21. Every diocese is affiliated with a metropolitan archbishop and a metropolis archdiocese.
Who is the metropolitan for the Diocese of Victoria?
a. The Archbishop in the Archdiocese of San Antonio
b. The Archbishop in the Archdiocese of New Orleans
c. The Archbishop in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
d. The Archbishop in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City

22. Since created as a diocese in 1982, the Diocese of Victoria has been served by how many
bishops?
a. One
b. Three
c. Two
d. Four

23. Our Blessed Mother appeared to three children at Fatima in 1917. In which country is
Fatima located?
a. Spain
b. Italy
c. Portugal
d. France

24. How were the three children, to whom Mary appeared in Fatima in 1917, related?
a. Siblings
b. Cousins
c. Through adoption
d. They were not related

25. What were the names of the children to whom Mary appeared in Fatima in 1917?
a. Marcos, Maria and Luz
b. Lucia, Jacinta and Francisco
c. Jose, Juanita and Teresa
d. Juan, Linda and Roberta

26. Which is NOT a Luminous Mystery?

a. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
b. The Institution of the Eucharist
c. The Wedding at Cana
d. Transfiguration

27. What is the official language of the Roman Catholic Church?

a. Spanish
b. English
c. Latin
d. Greek
28. The following has the largest population of Catholics in the world?
a. The United States
b. Italy
c. Spain
d. Brazil

29. In what country was Pope Francis serving as an archbishop, until he was elected pope, in
2013?
a. Brazil
b. Mexico
c. Paraguay
d. Argentina

30. What were the three languages used in the inscription on the cross I.N.R.I.?
a. Latin, Greek, Hebrew
b. Greek, Arabic, Syriac
c. Hebrew, Greek, Persian
d. Hebrew, Turkish, Kurdish

31. What book in the New Testament do scholars say St. Paul DID NOT author?
a. Corinthians
b. Ephesians
c. Hebrews
d. Philemon

32. Which book in the New Testament records the first council of the Church?
a. The Gospel of Luke
b. The first letter of Paul to the Corinthians
c. The Letter of Jude
d. The Acts of the Apostles

33. It is required by Canon Law for a bishop of a diocese to make an ad limina visit to the
Vatican every three to ten years. What is the main task for each bishop during this visit?
a. Visit the tomb of St. Peter
his b. Render to the pope an account of diocese
c. Celebrate Mass with the pope
d. Visit the four major basilicas

34. Unless he is not at the Vatican or is unable to do so, on what day of the week, other than
Sunday, does the pope meet with the pilgrims who visit the Vatican?
a. Monday
b. Wednesday
c. Thursday
d. Friday
35. What is the official name for the "Vatican Bank?"
a. The Congregation of the Cardinals
b. The Institute for the Works of Religion
c. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
d. The Congregation for Charity

36. When electing a new pope, where do the cardinals of the Church conduct the voting?
a. In the Vatican library
b. In the Basilica of St. Peter
c. In the Sistine Chapel
d. In the Papal Gardens

37. What color of smoke indicates no pope has been elected?

a. White
b. Black
c. Magenta
d. Purple

38. From which country did Pope St. John Paul II originate?
a. Russia
b. Italy
c. Poland
d. Finland

39. Which is NOT an official title of the pope?

a. Vicar of Christ
b. Keeper of the Keys
c. Bishop of Rome
d. Patriarch of the West

40. What is the name of the cathedral for the Diocese of Rome?
a. The Basilica of St. Peter
b. The Basilica of St. John Lateran
c. The Basilica of St. Mary Major
d. The Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls

41. There are two major feast days in the Catholic Church honoring St. Joseph. One is the
Feast of St. Joseph the Worker. What is the other one?
a. The Feast of St. Joseph, the Foster Father of Jesus
b. The Feast of St. Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary
c. The Feast of St. Joseph, Protector of the Child Jesus
d. The Feast of St. Joseph, Faithful Servant of God
42. Who is the patron saint of the United States?
a. St. Joseph
b. St. Thomas Aquinas
c. Mary, our Blessed Mother under the title of The Immaculate Conception
d. St. Michael the Archangel

43. The Feast of St. Blaise follows the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord and is celebrated
on what day?
a. June 15th
b. February 3rd
c. March 1st
d. January 1st

44. What is the name of the candle blessed each year at the Easter Vigil and prominently
displayed throughout the year near the baptismal font in every Catholic Church in the world?
a. The Light Candle
b. The Paschal Candle
c. The Easter Candle
d. The Baptismal Candle

45. At what point, in an ordination, is a man ordained?

a. When he promises obedience to his bishop.
b. When the bishop prays and lays hands on the man's head.
c. When the bishop shakes the man’s hand.
d. When the people express approval by applause.

46. Which of the following statement is NOT true?

a. A religious brother is devoted to service in the Church.
b. A religious brother can consecrate the Eucharist.
c. A religious brother can participate in various ministries in the Church.
d. A religious brother can bring Holy Communion to the Sick.

47. From whom must the pope seek permission, in order to resign?
a. The bishops of the world
b. The cardinals of the world
c. No one
d. The Vatican officials

48. According to Church law, who are the primary educators of children in the ways of faith?
a. Their teachers.
b. Their parents
c. The Catholic Church
d. The government
49. Which is NOT one of the seven capital sins?
a. Gluttony
b. Murder
c. Pride
d. Sloth

50. The following is the largest Catholic organization of men:

a. The Knights of St. Peter Claver
b. The Knights of St. Gregory
c. The Knights of Columbus
d. The Knights of Malta

51. At a funeral Mass, what is the name of the cloth placed upon the coffin, at the beginning of
the Mass?
a. The pall
b. The baptismal garment
c. The chasuble
d. The alb

52. According to canon law, a parish cannot be assigned more than one of the following:
a. A permanent deacon
b. A pastor
c. An Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion
d. A parochial vicar

53. Other than the pall, what two symbols may be placed upon a coffin during a funeral Mass:
a. A rosary and a holy medal
b. A bible and a crucifix
c. A family photograph and wedding ring
d. Paschal candle and holy oil

54. Which diocese in the United States is the largest in terms of square mileage?
a. The Archdiocese of Los Angeles
b. The Archdiocese of Chicago
c. The Archdiocese of New York
d. The Archdiocese of Anchorage

55. Which diocese in the United States has the largest Catholic population?
a. The Archdiocese of Los Angeles
b. The Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
c. The Archdiocese of Chicago
d. The Archdiocese of New York

56. During the celebration of Mass, which of the following items WOULD NOT be placed on
the altar?
 a. The missal
b. The chalice
c. The lectionary
d. The paten

57. In most Catholic Churches, the bells ring at 6:00 a.m., Noon and 6:00 p.m., signifying the
call to pray the following:
a. The Sanctus
b. The Confiteor
c. The Angelus
d. The Rosary

58. Of the following sacraments, which one MUST be celebrated within a Mass?
a. Baptism
b. Confirmation
c. Anointing of the Sick
d. Holy Orders

59. Which two states in the United States contain two archdioceses?
a. California and New York
b. New York and Texas
c. Texas and Illinois
d. California and Texas

60. Mass is celebrated daily everywhere in the world except on which day?
a. Holy Thursday
b. There are no exceptions
c. Good Friday
d. Ash Wednesday

61. The following is the official name for a person who assists at Mass with the distribution of
Holy Communion?
a. Communion Minister
b. Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion
c. Holy Communion Minister
d. Communion Assistant

62. The following is the shortest verse in the bible?

a. I thirst.
b. Jesus wept.
c. I am.
d. He died.

63. Place the following in proper order from least to most, according to liturgical importance:
a. Optional memorial, feast, solemnity, memorial
 b. Solemnity, feast, optional memorial, memorial
c. Optional memorial, memorial, feast, solemnity
d. Feast, optional memorial, solemnity, memorial

64. Which of the following states contains the most Catholic Spanish Colonial missions?
a. Texas
b. New Mexico
c. California
d. Arizona

65. Who are ineligible and forbidden to serve as godparents for a baptism?
a. Priests
b. The parents of the person being baptized
c. Unmarried individuals
d. The grandparents of the person being baptized

66. According to canon law, the oldest a man can be, before he is considered ineligible to be
ordained a priest?
a. 55
b. 65
c. 75
d. The Catholic Church does not have an age limit.

67. The Old Testament is proclaimed at Sunday every Mass throughout the year except during
which liturgical season?
a. Lent
b. Advent
c. Easter Season
d. Christmas Season

68. Which of the following Catholic religious community is the largest in the world, in terms of
membership?
a. The Franciscans
b. The Jesuits
c. The Dominicans
d. The Oblates of Mary Immaculate

69. Who was the only Catholic to sign the Declaration of Independence?
a. John Hancock
b. Charles Carroll
c. John Carroll
d. Samuel Adams

70. What is the first and oldest diocese in the United States?
a. The Archdiocese of New York City
 b. The Archdiocese of Baltimore
c. The Archdiocese of Boston
d. The Archdiocese of San Antonio

71. The cloth believed to be the burial cloth of Christ is called the Shroud. Where is it located?
a. Vatican City
b. Rome, Italy
c. Turin, Italy
d. Paris, France

72. Who was the first Catholic to be nominated by a major political party to run for the
presidency of the United States?
a. John F. Kennedy
b. Edmund Muskie
c. John Kerry
d. Al Smith

73. The following was the first bishop appointed in the United States?
a. Bishop John Connolly
b. Bishop Michael Francis Eagan
c. Bishop John Carroll
d. Bishop Leonard Neale

74. In proclaiming the Word of God during Mass, the Catholic Church uses the following?
a. A two year cycle of readings of A and B for Sunday Mass and Year 1, 2 and 3 for
weekday Mass.
b. A three year cycle of readings of A, B and C for Sunday Mass and Years 1 and 2
for weekday Mass.
c. A four year cycle of readings A, B, C and D for Sunday Mass and Years 1, 2, 3 and 4
for weekday Mass.
d. A one year cycle for Sunday Mass and a one year cycle for weekday Mass.

75. For Eucharistic Adoration, the Sacred Host is placed in which of the following vessels:
a. Pyx
b. Monstrance
c. Ciborium
d. Chalice

76. Unless the pope dispenses from the established regulations, how many miracles must be
attributed to a person before he or she can be canonized a saint?
a. Three
b. Four
c. Two
d. One
77. In case of an emergency, who is NOT permitted to baptize?
a. A lay person
b. An atheist
c. An agnostic
d. Any one can baptize, in case of an emergency.

78. Marriage is best described by the Church as:

a. An ecclesiastical bond
b. A covenant
c. A contract
d. A law

79. In light of the obligation that a Catholic is obligated to attend Mass every Sunday and on all
Holy Days of Obligation, the following would be considered a legitimate excuse not to attend:
a. Personal illness
b. Inability to locate a Catholic Church
c. The need to care for someone who is ill.
d. a, b and c

80. In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, which does the priest offer the penitent?
a. Condemnation
b. Commendation
c. A blessing
d. Absolution

81. According to Church teaching, which of the following is the gateway to all of the
sacraments?
a. Eucharist
b. Anointing of the Sick
c. Baptism
d. Confirmation

82. Who was not allowed to enter the Promised Land due to his lack of trust in God?
a. Abraham
b. Moses
c. Aaron
d. Isaac

83. Who was not present in the Upper Room when Jesus appeared to his apostles?
a. Peter
b. Thomas
c. Andrew
d. John
84. How many of the twelve apostles of Jesus died a natural death?
a. All of them
b. Two
c. None of them
d. One

85. Who was the first native born citizen of the United States to be declared a saint by the
Catholic Church?
a. St. Frances Cabrini
b. St. John Neumann
c. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
d. St. Katherine Drexel

86. Which of the following is NOT used at a funeral Mass?

a. Holy Water
b. Incense
c. The Paschal Candle
d. The Oil of Chrism

87. What flower is St. Joseph often holding in holy cards and statutes?
a. Rose
b. Lily
c. Iris
d. Bethlehem star

88. In a Catholic Church, the Paschal Candle is placed next to the baptismal font. During the
Easter Season, where is it placed?
a. Next to the altar
b. Next to the ambo/lectern
c. In the narthex of the church
d. Next to the Presider's chair

89. What is the wording located on the image of the Divine Mercy?
a. Jesus I Need You.
b. Jesus Have Mercy on Us.
c. Jesus I trust in You.
d. There is no wording on the image.

90. What day of the liturgical calendar is considered Divine Mercy Sunday?
a. The Sunday following All Saints Day.
b. The Second Sunday of Easter.
c. Easter Sunday.
d. The Sunday following Christmas Day.
91. What are the ages in which Catholics are obliged to fast?
a. 7-80
b. 18 to 59
c. 21-75
d. All ages

92. Abstaining from meat is to be observed by all Catholics beginning at what age?
a. 14
b. 18
c. 21
d. 7

93. Catholics fourteen years old and older are to abstain from meal on which days?
a. Ash Wednesday and Good Friday
b. Only on Good Friday
c. On Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and all Fridays of Lent
d. Only on the Fridays of Lent

94. If a person is enrolled in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (the R.C.I.A.), but has not
yet been baptized or made a Profession of Faith in the Catholic Church, this person is entitled to
the following?
a. Should he or she die, to be buried by the Church with a Funeral Mass.
b. To be allowed to receive Holy Communion on Good Friday.
c. To enter the seminary.
d. To be appointed as a Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion.

95. Where is the world's smallest Catholic Church located?

a. St. Paul Catholic Church in Turin, Italy
b. Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Albany, New York
c. San Miguel Catholic Church in Jalisco, Mexico
d. St. Martin Catholic Church between Round Top, Texas and Warrenton, Texas

96. What part of a priest's body is anointed with the Oil of Chrism, after he is ordained?
a. His head
b. His feet
c. His hands
d. His forehead

97. According to canon law, a Catholic wanting to serve as a godparent, at a baptism, must be
at least what age?
a. 14
b. 16
c. 18
d. 21
98. Which is NOT a type of religious rule, which regulates monastic communities?
a. The Rule of St. Benedict
b. The Rule of St. Basil
c. The Rule of St. Andrew
d. The Rule of St. Augustine

99. According to canon law, which of the following can a priest NOT do?
a. Serve as president of a Catholic hospital.
b. Run for and serve in public office.
c. Serve as president of a Catholic university.
d. Serve as principal of a Catholic school.

100. The word "monk" derives from the Greek word "monos" meaning:
a. Communal
b. Alone
c. Silence
d. Perpetual

101. Which of the following sacraments is NEVER recorded in a parish sacramental register?
a. The Sacrament of Baptism
b. The Sacrament of Confirmation
c. The Sacrament of Penance
d. The Sacrament of the Eucharist

102. When a priest appointed a bishop, he automatically receives the letter D.D. to be placed
behind his name. What does "D.D." mean?
a. Divine Dispenser
b. Doctor of Divinity
c. Director of Divinity
d. Doctor of Discipline

103. What Christian symbol does a bishop often use in front of his name or initials?
a. Anchor
b. Cross
c. Fish
d. Alpha & Omega

104. Which of the following saints was known as "The Little Flower of Jesus?"
a. St. Theresa of Avila
b. St. Joan of Arc
c. St. Elizabeth of Hungary
d. St. Theresa of Lisieux
105. Which of the following saints has NOT been declared a doctor of the Church?
a. St. Theresa of Lisieux
b. St. Francis de Sales
c. St. Theresa of Avila
d. Saint Francis of Assisi

106. The following saint is known as the "Lily of the Mohawks."

a. Saint Teresa of Avila
b. Saint Kateri Tekakwitha
c. Saint Theresa of Lisieux
d. Saint Rose of Lima

107. From which of the following countries did St. Joan of Arc originate?
a. France
b. Spain
c. Germany
d. England

108. Which of the following is the shortest book in the New Testament?
a. Jonah
b. 3 John
c. Titus
d. Philemon

109. Which of the following is the shortest gospel?

a. Mark
b. John
c. Matthew
d. Luke

110. Which of the following has the most chapters of the four gospels?
a. Luke
b. John
c. Mark
d. Matthew

111. What is the official name for a leader in a monastic community?

a. Superior
b. Abbot
c. Prior
d. Monk
112. The Catholic University of America, established in 1887, is the only institution of higher
learning founded by the United States Catholic bishops. This university is located in the
following city:
a. New York City
b. Washington, D.C.
c. Baltimore, Maryland
d. Chicago, Illinois

113. Over what is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, located in Jerusalem, believed to be built?
a. The place of Jesus' crucifixion.
b. The place of Jesus' ascension.
c. The place of Jesus' burial
d. a and c

114. Who was the first to refer to the Church as the Catholic Church?
a. St. Ignatius of Antioch
b. St. Peter
c. St. Paul
d. St. Jude

115. The following is the smallest, most highly populated country in the world?
a. Monaco
b. Vatican City
c. Malta
d. Liechtenstein

116. What is the longest book in the Bible?

a. Jeremiah
b. Luke
c. Psalms
d. Genesis

BONUS QUESTION:

117. Members of religious communities profess the three vows of poverty, chastity and
obedience. To whom does the religious man or woman vow obedience?
a. To God.
b. To a bishop.
c. To the righteous authority of the religious superior duly appointed or elected
by the particular religious community.
d. To the pope.
1. b 46. b 91. b
2. b 47. c 92. a
3. c 48. b 93. c
4. a 49. b 94. a
5. b 50. c 95. d
6. a 51. a 96. c
7. b 52. b 97. b
8. c 53. b 98. c
9. a 54. d 99. b
10. c 55. a 100. b
11. b 56. c 101. c
12. b 57. c 102. b
13. b 58. d 103. b
14. c 59. d 104. d
15. b 60. c 105. d
16. b 61. b 106. b
17. b 62. b 107. a
18. c 63. c 108. b
19. c 64. c 109. a
20. c 65. b 110. d
21. c 66. d 111. b
22. c 67. c 112. b
23. c 68. a 113. d
24. b 69. b 114. a
25. b 70. b 115. b
26. a 71. c 116. c
27. c 72. d 117. c
28. d 73. c
29. d 74. b
30. a 75. b
31. c 76. c
32. d 77. d
33. b 78. b
34. b 79. d
35. b 80. d
36. c 81. c
37. b 82. b
38. c 83. b
39. b 84. d
40. b 85. c
41. b 86. d
42. c 87. b
43. b 88. b
44. b 89. c
45. b 90. b