Let’s dive into some Catholic trivia! If you’re like me, you love testing your knowledge about the Church’s rich history and traditions. But finding good, challenging questions can be tough.
That’s why I’ve compiled this list of 227+ Catholic trivia questions to test your faith facts.
In this article, I’ll share many questions covering everything from Bible stories to Church doctrine to famous saints.
Whether planning a youth group event, a family game night or wanting to challenge yourself, you’ll find plenty of brain teasers here.
Get ready to learn some interesting tidbits about Catholicism while having fun with friends and family!
The Ultimate Collection of Catholic Trivia Questions & Answers
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Q: What is the largest Christian denomination in the world?
A: Roman Catholic Church -
Q: Who is the current Pope?
A: Pope Francis -
Q: What city is the headquarters of the Catholic Church?
A: Vatican City -
Q: What is the official language of the Vatican?
A: Latin -
Q: How many books are in the Catholic Bible?
A: 73 books (46 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament) -
Q: What is the name of the Pope’s official residence?
A: Apostolic Palace -
Q: What does “Catholic” mean?
A: Universal -
Q: Who founded the Jesuit order?
A: St. Ignatius of Loyola -
Q: What is the name of the Pope’s weekly public address?
A: Angelus -
Q: What is the term for a priest elevated to a position directly below the Pope?
A: Cardinal -
Q: What is the name of the Pope’s armed forces?
A: Swiss Guard -
Q: What is the name of the official newspaper of Vatican City?
A: L’Osservatore Romano -
Q: What is the highest rank of ordained ministry in the Catholic Church?
A: Bishop -
Q: What is the term for a priest who oversees a diocese?
A: Bishop -
Q: What is the name of the document issued by the Pope to all bishops?
A: Encyclical -
Q: What is the term for a church that serves as the official church of a bishop?
A: Cathedral -
Q: What is the name of the central governing body of the Catholic Church?
A: The Roman Curia -
Q: What is the name of the Pope’s official Twitter account?
A: @Pontifex -
Q: What is the official title of the Pope?
A: Bishop of Rome -
Q: What is the name of the Pope’s official summer residence?
A: Castel Gandolfo -
Q: What is the name of the official Vatican radio station?
A: Vatican Radio -
Q: What is the term for a formal assembly of bishops?
A: Synod -
Q: What is the name of the Pope’s official ring?
A: The Fisherman’s Ring -
Q: Who is the patron saint of lost causes?
A: St. Jude Thaddeus -
Q: Which saint is known for his love of animals?
A: St. Francis of Assisi -
Q: Who is the patron saint of impossible causes?
A: St. Rita of Cascia -
Q: Which saint is associated with the stigmata?
A: St. Padre Pio -
Q: Who is the patron saint of music?
A: St. Cecilia -
Q: Which saint is known as the “Little Flower”?
A: St. Thérèse of Lisieux -
Q: Who is the patron saint of Ireland?
A: St. Patrick -
Q: Which saint is associated with the discovery of the True Cross?
A: St. Helena -
Q: Who is the patron saint of travelers?
A: St. Christopher -
Q: Which saint founded the Poor Clare Sisters?
A: St. Clare of Assisi -
Q: Who is the patron saint of mothers?
A: St. Monica -
Q: Which saint is known as the “Apostle to the Gentiles”?
A: St. Paul -
Q: Who is the patron saint of workers?
A: St. Joseph -
Q: Which saint is associated with the Sacred Heart of Jesus devotion?
A: St. Margaret Mary Alacoque -
Q: Who is the patron saint of priests?
A: St. John Vianney -
Q: Which saint is known as the “Father of Western Monasticism”?
A: St. Benedict of Nursia -
Q: Who is the patron saint of youth?
A: St. John Bosco -
Q: Which saint is known for her visions of the Virgin Mary at Lourdes?
A: St. Bernadette Soubirous -
Q: Who is the patron saint of nurses?
A: St. Catherine of Siena -
Q: Which saint is known as the “Apostle of Rome”?
A: St. Philip Neri -
Q: Who is the patron saint of television?
A: St. Clare of Assisi -
Q: Which saint is known as the “Miracle Worker”?
A: St. Anthony of Padua -
Q: Who is the patron saint of hopeless cases?
A: St. Jude Thaddeus -
Q: In what year did the Council of Nicaea take place?
A: 325 AD -
Q: Which Pope initiated the First Crusade?
A: Pope Urban II -
Q: What year was the Second Vatican Council opened?
A: 1962 -
Q: Who was the first Catholic President of the United States?
A: John F. Kennedy -
Q: In which year did the Great Schism between the Eastern and Western Churches occur?
A: 1054 -
Q: Who founded the Franciscan Order?
A: St. Francis of Assisi -
Q: What was the name of the 1517 protest against the Catholic Church led by Martin Luther?
A: The Ninety-Five Theses -
Q: Which Pope called for the Counter-Reformation?
A: Pope Paul III -
Q: In what year was the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) founded?
A: 1540 -
Q: Who was the first Pope to visit the United States?
A: Pope Paul VI -
Q: What was the name of the agreement signed between the Vatican and Nazi Germany in 1933?
A: The Reichskonkordat -
Q: Which Pope opened the Vatican Secret Archives to researchers?
A: Pope Leo XIII -
Q: In what year did the Catholic Church officially forgive Galileo?
A: 1992 -
Q: Who was the longest-reigning Pope in history?
A: St. Peter (traditionally considered to have served for 34-37 years) -
Q: What was the name of the Catholic monastic order founded by St. Benedict?
A: The Benedictines -
Q: Which Pope convened the Council of Trent?
A: Pope Paul III -
Q: In what year did the Vatican City become an independent state?
A: 1929 -
Q: Who was the first Pope to voluntarily resign?
A: Pope Celestine V -
Q: What was the name of the 1968 papal encyclical that reaffirmed the Church’s stance on birth control?
A: Humanae Vitae -
Q: Which Pope was reigning during World War II?
A: Pope Pius XII -
Q: In what year was the Inquisition officially abolished?
A: 1908 -
Q: Who was the first Pope to use Twitter?
A: Pope Benedict XVI -
Q: What was the name of the movement led by Jan Hus that preceded the Protestant Reformation?
A: The Hussites -
Q: What is the first book of the Old Testament?
A: Genesis -
Q: Who was the first king of Israel?
A: Saul -
Q: How many books are in the New Testament?
A: 27 -
Q: Who wrote the majority of the Psalms?
A: King David -
Q: Which Gospel is written by a doctor?
A: Luke -
Q: What is the last book of the Bible?
A: Revelation -
Q: Who denied Jesus three times before the rooster crowed?
A: Peter -
Q: What was the name of Moses’ brother?
A: Aaron -
Q: How many days and nights did Jesus fast in the wilderness?
A: 40 -
Q: Who is known as the “weeping prophet”?
A: Jeremiah -
Q: What is the shortest verse in the Bible?
A: “Jesus wept.” (John 11:35) -
Q: Who was the mother of John the Baptist?
A: Elizabeth -
Q: Which book in the Bible does not mention God by name?
A: Esther -
Q: Who was the first martyr of the Christian church?
A: Stephen -
Q: What was the name of Abraham’s nephew?
A: Lot -
Q: Which prophet was swallowed by a big fish?
A: Jonah -
Q: Who wrote the book of Acts?
A: Luke -
Q: What was Jesus’ first miracle?
A: Turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana -
Q: Who was the father of King Solomon?
A: King David -
Q: Which apostle was a tax collector before following Jesus?
A: Matthew -
Q: What was the name of Moses’ sister?
A: Miriam -
Q: Who was the oldest person mentioned in the Bible?
A: Methuselah -
Q: What was the name of Adam and Eve’s third son?
A: Seth -
Q: How many sacraments are there in the Catholic Church?
A: Seven -
Q: What is the significance of Ash Wednesday?
A: It marks the beginning of Lent -
Q: What is the name of the rite of joining the Catholic Church as an adult?
A: Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) -
Q: What is the term for the bread used in the Eucharist?
A: Host -
Q: What is the liturgical color for the season of Advent?
A: Purple (or Violet) -
Q: What is the name of the prayer service held in the evening?
A: Vespers -
Q: What is the term for the purification of the soul after death?
A: Purgatory -
Q: What is the name of the special Mass celebrated for the dead?
A: Requiem Mass -
Q: What is the term for a priest’s obligation to maintain confidentiality of confessions?
A: Seal of Confession -
Q: What is the name of the vessel used to hold the Eucharist for adoration?
A: Monstrance -
Q: What is the term for the blessing of throats performed on St. Blaise’s feast day?
A: Blessing of the Throats -
Q: What is the name of the holy oil used in baptism, confirmation, and holy orders?
A: Chrism -
Q: What is the term for the practice of abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent?
A: Friday Penance -
Q: What is the name of the prayer said before meals?
A: Grace -
Q: What is the term for the process of declaring someone a saint?
A: Canonization -
Q: What is the name of the special devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary in May?
A: May Crowning -
Q: What is the term for the cloth used to wipe the chalice during Mass?
A: Purificator -
Q: What is the name of the prayer service held before the Blessed Sacrament?
A: Adoration -
Q: What is the term for the practice of praying at fixed times during the day?
A: Liturgy of the Hours -
Q: What is the name of the special blessing given by the Pope on Christmas and Easter?
A: Urbi et Orbi
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Q: What is the term for the practice of fasting before receiving Communion?
A: Eucharistic Fast -
Q: What is the name of the special Mass celebrated by a newly ordained priest?
A: First Mass -
Q: What is the term for the practice of making the sign of the cross with holy water upon entering a church?
A: Blessing oneself -
Q: What prayer begins with “Our Father who art in heaven”?
A: The Lord’s Prayer (or The Our Father) -
Q: What is the name of the hymn sung during the Easter Vigil announcing Christ’s resurrection?
A: Exsultet -
Q: What prayer is known as the “Angelic Salutation”?
A: Hail Mary -
Q: What is the name of the prayer that begins “Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy”?
A: Salve Regina -
Q: What is the name of the prayer said at noon, 6 am, and 6 pm commemorating the Incarnation?
A: The Angelus -
Q: What hymn is traditionally sung at funerals, beginning with “Dies irae, dies illa”?
A: Dies Irae -
Q: What prayer is said for the souls in purgatory, beginning “Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord”?
A: Eternal Rest Prayer (or Requiem Aeternam) -
Q: What is the name of the prayer that begins “Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary”?
A: Memorare -
Q: What hymn is often sung at Eucharistic Adoration, beginning “Tantum ergo Sacramentum”?
A: Tantum Ergo -
Q: What prayer is known as the “Jesus Prayer” in Eastern Catholic traditions?
A: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner” -
Q: What is the name of the hymn that begins “Adoro te devote, latens Deitas”?
A: Adoro Te Devote -
Q: What prayer is said at the beginning of each decade of the Rosary?
A: Our Father -
Q: What is the name of the prayer that begins “Soul of Christ, sanctify me”?
A: Anima Christi -
Q: What hymn is traditionally sung on Holy Thursday, beginning “Pange lingua gloriosi”?
A: Pange Lingua Gloriosi -
Q: What prayer is known as the “Canticle of Mary” from the Gospel of Luke?
A: Magnificat -
Q: What is the name of the prayer that asks for the intercession of all saints?
A: Litany of the Saints -
Q: What hymn is often sung at the end of Mass, beginning “Holy God, we praise Thy name”?
A: Te Deum -
Q: What prayer is recited at the end of each decade of the Rosary?
A: Glory Be (Gloria Patri) -
Q: What is the name of the hymn that begins “O come, O come, Emmanuel”?
A: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (Veni, Veni, Emmanuel) -
Q: What prayer is said before the Gospel reading at Mass?
A: “Glory to you, O Lord” -
Q: What is the name of the prayer that begins “Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful”?
A: Come Holy Spirit (Veni Sancte Spiritus) -
Q: What hymn is traditionally sung on Good Friday, beginning “Crux fidelis, inter omnes”?
A: Crux Fidelis -
Q: What prayer is known as the “Prayer to St. Michael”?
A: St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle… -
Q: What does the fish symbol represent in Christianity?
A: Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior (ICHTHYS) -
Q: What is the significance of the rosary?
A: It’s a prayer tool used to meditate on the life of Christ and Mary -
Q: What does the Chi-Rho symbol represent?
A: The first two letters of Christ’s name in Greek -
Q: What is the purpose of a scapular?
A: A devotional garment worn as a sign of one’s commitment to God -
Q: What does the anchor symbolize in Christian art?
A: Hope -
Q: What is the meaning of the letters INRI often seen on crucifixes?
A: Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews -
Q: What does the dove symbolize in Catholic iconography?
A: The Holy Spirit -
Q: What is the purpose of holy water in Catholic churches?
A: For blessings and as a reminder of baptism -
Q: What does the pelican symbol represent in Catholic art?
A: Self-sacrifice of Christ -
Q: What is the significance of the color red in Catholic liturgy?
A: It symbolizes the Holy Spirit and martyrdom -
Q: What does the alpha and omega symbol represent?
A: Christ as the beginning and the end -
Q: What is the purpose of incense in Catholic liturgy?
A: To symbolize prayers rising to heaven -
Q: What does the lily flower symbolize in Catholic art?
A: Purity, often associated with the Virgin Mary -
Q: What is the significance of the paschal candle?
A: It represents the light of Christ, especially at Easter -
Q: What does the triangle symbol represent in Catholic iconography?
A: The Holy Trinity -
Q: What is the purpose of a thurible in Catholic liturgy?
A: To burn incense during Mass and other ceremonies -
Q: What does the lamb symbol represent in Catholic art?
A: Jesus as the Lamb of God -
Q: What is the significance of the color purple in Catholic liturgy?
A: It represents penance and preparation, used during Advent and Lent -
Q: What does the phoenix symbol represent in Christian art?
A: Resurrection and eternal life -
Q: What is the purpose of a ciborium in Catholic liturgy?
A: To hold consecrated hosts -
Q: What does the olive branch symbolize in Christian art?
A: Peace -
Q: What is the significance of the Stations of the Cross?
A: They represent the events of Jesus’ passion and death -
Q: What does the peacock symbol represent in early Christian art?
A: Immortality and resurrection -
Q: When is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception celebrated?
A: December 8 -
Q: What season precedes Easter in the liturgical calendar?
A: Lent -
Q: When does the liturgical year begin for the Catholic Church?
A: First Sunday of Advent -
Q: What is the day before Ash Wednesday called?
A: Shrove Tuesday (or Mardi Gras) -
Q: When is the Feast of the Assumption celebrated?
A: August 15 -
Q: What is the period of 50 days after Easter called?
A: Eastertide (or Easter Season) -
Q: When is the Feast of Christ the King celebrated?
A: Last Sunday of the liturgical year -
Q: What is the name of the Thursday before Easter?
A: Holy Thursday (or Maundy Thursday) -
Q: When is the Feast of the Sacred Heart celebrated?
A: 19 days after Pentecost -
Q: What is the name of the Sunday before Easter?
A: Palm Sunday -
Q: When is the Feast of All Saints celebrated?
A: November 1 -
Q: What is the name of the period between Christmas and the Baptism of the Lord?
A: Christmas Season -
Q: When is the Feast of the Holy Family celebrated?
A: Sunday after Christmas -
Q: What is the name of the Wednesday that marks the beginning of Lent?
A: Ash Wednesday -
Q: When is the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God celebrated?
A: January 1 -
Q: What is the name of the Sunday that marks the end of the Christmas season?
A: Feast of the Baptism of the Lord -
Q: When is the Feast of St. Joseph celebrated?
A: March 19 -
Q: What is the name of the period between Ascension and Pentecost?
A: Novena to the Holy Spirit -
Q: When is the Feast of the Transfiguration celebrated?
A: August 6 -
Q: What is the name of the Sunday that begins Holy Week?
A: Palm Sunday -
Q: When is the Feast of the Holy Innocents celebrated?
A: December 28 -
Q: What is the name of the Mass celebrated at midnight on Christmas Eve?
A: Midnight Mass (or Mass at Night) -
Q: When is the Feast of Corpus Christi celebrated?
A: Thursday after Trinity Sunday (or the following Sunday in some countries) -
Q: Who was the first Pope?
A: St. Peter -
Q: Which Pope served the shortest term?
A: Urban VII (13 days) -
Q: Who was the last non-Italian Pope before John Paul II?
A: Adrian VI -
Q: Which Pope called the Second Vatican Council?
A: Pope John XXIII -
Q: Who was the first Pope to visit Africa?
A: Pope Paul VI -
Q: Which Pope was known as the “Prisoner of the Vatican”?
A: Pius IX -
Q: Who was the youngest elected Pope in history?
A: Pope John XII (18 years old) -
Q: Which Pope issued the encyclical Rerum Novarum on workers’ rights?
A: Pope Leo XIII -
Q: Who was the first Pope to fly in an airplane?
A: Pope Paul VI -
Q: Which Pope excommunicated Martin Luther?
A: Pope Leo X -
Q: Who was the first Pope to use the title “Servant of the Servants of God”?
A: Pope Gregory I (Gregory the Great) -
Q: Which Pope established the modern conclave system for papal elections?
A: Pope Gregory X -
Q: Who was the last Pope to use a papal tiara?
A: Pope Paul VI -
Q: Which Pope wrote the encyclical Humanae Vitae on birth control?
A: Pope Paul VI -
Q: Who was the first Pope to visit the United States?
A: Pope Paul VI -
Q: Which Pope canonized the most saints in history?
A: Pope John Paul II -
Q: Who was the first Pope to have a Twitter account?
A: Pope Benedict XVI -
Q: Which Pope was reigning during the Italian unification?
A: Pope Pius IX -
Q: Who was the first Pope to visit Auschwitz?
A: Pope John Paul II -
Q: Which Pope issued the declaration of papal infallibility?
A: Pope Pius IX -
Q: Who was the last Pope to resign before Benedict XVI?
A: Pope Gregory XII (in 1415) -
Q: Which Pope established the Vatican Museums?
A: Pope Clement XIV -
Q: Who was the first Pope to visit the Holy Land?
A: Pope Paul VI -
Q: What is the doctrine of transubstantiation?
A: The belief that the bread and wine become the actual body and blood of Christ during the Eucharist -
Q: What is the Catholic teaching on original sin?
A: The state of sin into which all human beings are born as a result of Adam’s sin -
Q: What is the Immaculate Conception?
A: The belief that Mary was conceived without original sin -
Q: What is the doctrine of papal infallibility?
A: The belief that the Pope is preserved from error when he solemnly declares a teaching on faith or morals -
Q: What is meant by the term “Real Presence” in Catholic theology?
A: The belief that Christ is truly present in the Eucharist -
Q: What is the Catholic understanding of purgatory?
A: A state of purification after death before entering heaven -
Q: What is the doctrine of the Trinity?
A: The belief in one God existing in three divine Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -
Q: What is the Catholic teaching on the Assumption of Mary?
A: The belief that Mary was assumed body and soul into heaven at the end of her earthly life -
Q: What is the doctrine of apostolic succession?
A: The belief that bishops are the successors of the apostles -
Q: What is the Catholic understanding of salvation?
A: The belief that salvation comes through faith and good works, by God’s grace -
Q: What is the doctrine of ex cathedra?
A: The teaching authority of the Pope when he defines a doctrine of faith or morals to be held by the whole Church -
Q: What is the Catholic teaching on the communion of saints?
A: The belief in a spiritual union among all believers, both living and dead -
Q: What is the doctrine of subsidiarity in Catholic social teaching?
A: The principle that matters should be handled by the smallest, lowest, or least centralized competent authority -
Q: What is the Catholic understanding of natural law?
A: The belief in moral laws that are inherent in human nature and discoverable through reason -
Q: What is the doctrine of concomitance?
A: The belief that Christ is fully present under each species in the Eucharist -
Q: What is the Catholic teaching on the indissolubility of marriage?
A: The belief that a valid, consummated sacramental marriage cannot be dissolved -
Q: What is the doctrine of collegiality?
A: The belief that bishops, as a body, share responsibility for the governance of the Church with the Pope -
Q: What is the Catholic understanding of revelation?
A: The belief that God has revealed Himself through Scripture and Tradition -
Q: What is the doctrine of the hypostatic union?
A: The belief that Jesus Christ is both fully divine and fully human in one person -
Q: What is the Catholic teaching on limbo?
A: A hypothetical state for unbaptized infants who die, no longer actively taught by the Church -
Q: What is the doctrine of infused righteousness?
A: The belief that God’s grace actually makes a person righteous, not just declared righteous -
Q: What is the Catholic understanding of free will?
A: The belief that humans have the ability to make choices freely, even in matters of faith -
Q: What is the doctrine of concupiscence?
A: The tendency towards sin present in human nature as a result of original sin
Conclusion
I hope you’ve learned some interesting facts about our rich faith tradition as we wrap up our Catholic trivia journey.
From saints to sacraments, Church history to Bible knowledge, we’ve covered a lot of ground. These 227+ questions aren’t just for fun – they’re a great way to deepen your understanding of Catholicism.
Why not use these questions to spark discussions with family and friends? Or perhaps organize a parish trivia night? You might be surprised at how much you know – and how much there is still to learn.
Remember, our faith is a lifelong journey of discovery. These trivia questions are just a starting point.
Keep exploring, questioning, and growing in your faith. And don’t forget to share your newfound knowledge with others.
After all, that’s what being part of the Catholic community is all about!
