My quizzical friends, may I ask what you are giving up for Lent? Please don’t say “this quiz”! As for me, I’m giving up chocolate. Please respect my sacrifice during this difficult time.
1) QUADRAGINTA
The 40 days of Lent remind us of:
a) the 40 years Noah led the Israelites in the desert
b) the 40 days Jesus fasted in the desert
c) the 40 months spent on the ark by Moses and his family
d) the 40 teams that qualify for March Madness
2) VATICAN II
Which church document of Vatican II revised the traditional liturgical texts and rituals used for all seven of the sacraments of the Catholic Church?
a) “Catechism of the Catholic Church”
b) “Sacrosanctum Concilium”
c) “Lumen Gentium”
d) “Dei Verbum”
3) VESTMENTS
The liturgical color rose (pink) may be used on “Laetare Sunday, the _____ Sunday of Lent?
a) first
b) second
c) fourth
d) None — only purple (violet) vestments are allowed during Lent
4) OCIA
The dismissal of catechumens at Mass during Lent is especially connected to preparation for what sacrament?
a) confirmation
b) marriage
c) holy orders
d) baptism
5) RUBRICS
Liturgical guidelines forbid which of the following during Lent (except solemnities)?
a) the Creed
b) instrumental music
c) the Gloria and Alleluia
d) flowers in the sanctuary
6) CALENDAR
Lent begins with Ash Wednesday and ends when?
a) at midnight on Holy Saturday
b) before the evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday
c) after the Easter Vigil
d) at the start of Holy Week
7) MUSIC
According to the “General Instruction of the Roman Missal,” what replaces the “Alleluia” during Lent?
a) Nothing; it is omitted entirely
b) a Psalm verse
c) a verse before the Gospel (e.g., “Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ…”)
d) the Gloria
8) THE ROSARY
In the fifth sorrowful mystery, Jesus:
a) enters Jerusalem on Palm Sunday
b) rises from the dead
c) dies on the cross
d) is condemned to death by Pilate
Answers: 1) b, 2) b, 3) c, 4) d, 5) c, 6) b, 7) c, 8) c