Individuals love a challenge of being tested of their knowledge on certain subjects. As our Catholic Catechism is recognizing its 20th anniversary it is reported that the number of Catechism books continues to sell in record numbers.

The format of the book ranges from printed copies used by RCIA groups, practicing Catholics, the newest teen format “YouCat” to other various digital formats. Catholics who are born and raised Catholics often claim that they have a slight advantage about their faith and recently Our Sunday Visitor posted the following test: “How Well Do You Know The Catechism?”

1. Divine economy refers to: A. Parish finances. B. Common work of the Trinity.  C. Tithing. D. Living in solidarity with the poor. 

2. The “four Pillars” of the Catechism are: A. Creed, Sacraments, Commandments, Prayer. B. Eucharist, Commandments, Scripture, Church history. C. Church history, Creed, Sacraments, Commandments. D. Sacraments, Commandments, Prayer, Scripture.

3. Respecting and caring for animals is taught as part of which commandment: 1- A. Fifth- You shall not kill. B. Seventh – You shall not steal. C. Ninth- You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods. D- None. Its’ not included in the Catechism.

4. The fourth “pillar” of the Catechism focuses at length on this prayer: A. Apostles’ Creed. B. Our Father. C. Rosary. D. Jesus Prayer.

5. The first official universal Catechism was published in: A. The first century. B. 1566. C. 1885. D. 465.

6. Some credit this person with producing the first Catechism text: A. John Calvin. B. St. Augustine. C. Martin Luther. D. Pope Pius VIII.

7. In which language was the current Catechism first published:  A. English. B. Latin. C. Italian. D. French.

8. One draft of the Catechism submitted to the bishops of the world resulted in this many suggested changes:  A. 556. B. 24,000. C. 3, 000. D. 878.

9. The English translation of the Catechism was held up for more than a year when some U.S. bishops objected to the use of which word:  A. Consubstantial. B. Man. C. Concupiscence. D. Filioque.

10. The second edition of the English version of the Catechism was changed to reflect stronger language on this topic in light of Evangelium Vitae: A. Abortion. B. Death penalty. C. Euthanasia. D. Stem cell research.

11. “Parousia” refers to: A. Jesus’ second coming. B. The gift of tongues. C. An element of the occult. D. One of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.

12. Final purification will take place in:  A. Heaven. B. Purgatory. C. Hell. D. On earth before death.

13. The “source and summit of Christian life is:  A. Baptism. B. Union with God. C. Eucharist. . Holy Orders.

14. Church teaching on a “heavenly liturgy” comes from: A. Gospel of John. B. Book of Isaiah. C. Revelation. D. Acts of the Apostles.

15. What is considered the “feast of feasts”: A. Christmas. B. Good Friday. C. Easter. D. Pentecost.

The answers to the questions. 1. B (No. 258); 2. A; 3. B (No. 2416); 4. B;  5. B (Catechism of the Council of Trent); 6. C (Luther’s little catechism was published in 1529); 7. D;  8. B; 9. B (Those bishops lost their fight; the Church opted to keep the generic male-centered language.); 10. B; 11. A (No. 1001); 12. B (No. 1030); 13. C. (No. 1324); 14.  C. (No. 1137);  15. C. (No. 1168). Next week’s article we’ll continue our test on “How Well Do You Know the Catechism?”