100-Question Catholic Trivia Quiz (2)

[B] Its opening words about angels | The Angelus begins with "Angelus Domini" (The Angel of the Lord), recalling Gabriel's announcement to Mary. It's prayed at noon with bell accompaniment.

[A] Holy Thursday | This commemorates the Last Supper where Jesus invented the Eucharist and washed feet. Modern priests recreate the foot-washing, though most congregants secretly hope not to be chosen.

[C] 16 | The priest genuflects 16 times during Tridentine Mass, giving traditional Catholics quite the leg workout. Modern Mass reduced this significantly, proving liturgical reform includes consideration for aging knees.

[A] The Litany of the Sacred Heart | This devotion lists 33 invocations honoring Christ's heart, one for each year of his life. It's like a spiritual love song with extremely specific compliments.

[B] Advent | Four weeks of purple vestments and "O Come Emmanuel" on repeat. Advent calendars now feature chocolate, though early Christians probably didn't envision candy countdowns to Christ's birth.

[D] Saint Thomas Aquinas | Thomas merged Aristotle with Christianity, writing the Summa Theologica that's still required seminary reading. His logical proofs for God's existence remain philosophy class favorites 750 years later.

[B] Saint Francis of Assisi | Legend says birds fell silent to hear Francis preach and fish poked their heads above water. Either he was incredibly charismatic or medieval wildlife was remarkably polite.

[D] Penance | Also called Reconciliation or Confession, where Catholics whisper sins through screens to priests. The penance usually involves prayers, though medieval penalties included pilgrimages and public sackcloth fashion.

[C] Catholic hospitals | Catholic healthcare systems run one in six US hospital beds. They follow religious directives while providing modern medicine, navigating ethical debates with theological committees and medical boards.

[A] The Our Father | Despite being Christianity's most famous prayer, it wasn't included in the traditional after-Mass prayers. Those focused on Mary and Michael, apparently assuming everyone already knew the Lord's Prayer.

[A] Abstinence | Friday abstinence remembers Christ's crucifixion through dietary restriction. Fish somehow doesn't count as meat, leading to Catholic fish fry fundraisers and theological debates about capybara classification.

[C] Pope Francis | Jorge Bergoglio became Francis in 2013, the first Jesuit pope and first from the Americas. He chose public transport over limousines, making security details globally nervous.

[D] Latin | The Tridentine Mass stays strictly Latin, no vernacular allowed. Attendees follow along with missals, creating a uniquely universal experience where nobody understands equally regardless of native language.

[B] Holy Thursday | Priests wash parishioners' feet, recreating Christ's servant leadership example. Selection criteria varies by parish, though most avoid choosing anyone with questionable podiatric hygiene.

[C] 1979 | John Paul II's American debut featured massive crowds and media coverage rivaling rock stars. He kissed airport tarmac upon arrival, starting his tradition of ground-greeting worldwide.

[B] Edict of Milan | Constantine and Licinius issued this in 313 AD, ending Christian persecution. Christians went from lion food to legally recognized in one document, history's greatest status upgrade.

[A] Missionaries of Charity | Founded in 1950 to serve "the poorest of the poor" in Calcutta. The distinctive white and blue sari became globally recognized, proving religious habits can achieve fashion icon status.

[D] Pope Gregory VII | Gregory VII banned married priests and fought secular control of church appointments. His reforms sparked major conflicts, proving church politics were medieval Europe's favorite contact sport.

[C] Council of Constance | From 1414-1418, this council ended the confusion of three simultaneous popes. They basically held papal playoffs until only one remained, restoring singular pontifical authority.

[B] The Jesuits | With roughly 16,000 members worldwide, Jesuits run universities, observatories, and missions. They're called "Society of Jesus," making them sound like a very scholarly superhero team.

[D] Benedictines | Benedict's Rule from 516 AD created Western monasticism's blueprint. "Ora et labora" (pray and work) became their motto, balancing spiritual life with practical productivity medieval-style.

[A] Saint Francis | Francis abandoned wealth for radical poverty in 1209, founding the Franciscans. His order grew rapidly, proving medieval Europe found barefoot preaching surprisingly appealing.

[B] First Council of Nicaea | In 325 AD, bishops hammered out the Nicene Creed still recited today. They also calculated Easter's date and settled whether Jesus was created or eternal.

[C] 1054 | The Great Schism split Christianity over theological disputes and beard requirements (seriously). Mutual excommunications lasted until 1965, making it history's longest-lasting religious cold shoulder.

[A] A sacrament between a man and woman | Catholic marriage is considered indissoluble sacramental union. Annulments aren't Catholic divorce but declarations the sacrament never validly occurred, involving tribunals and theological detective work.

[D] Saint Joseph | Joseph gets multiple patronages despite minimal biblical dialogue. Carpenter, foster father, and dream interpreter—he's basically heaven's most versatile supporting character with major responsibilities.

[A] Munda cor Meum | "Cleanse my heart" in Latin, asking for worthiness to proclaim scripture. The priest quietly requests pure lips and heart, because apparently Gospel reading requires spiritual preparation.

[D] To spread the Gospel | The Great Commission mandates evangelization as job one. Everything else—schools, hospitals, fish fries—theoretically supports spreading Christianity's message worldwide with varying subtlety levels.

[C] The Come Holy Spirit | "Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful" kicks off this invocation. Used at confirmations and ordinations when extra spiritual firepower seems necessary.

[B] Cardinal | Cardinals elect popes and wear scarlet to symbolize willingness to shed blood for faith. They're basically Catholicism's board of directors with really impressive wardrobes.