The Rosary and Prayer Trivia Quiz

Answer: The Apostle's Creed

The Apostle's Creed is an early statement of Christian belief that has been traced back at least as far as the fourth century AD. In addition to the Apostle's Creed, the Sign of the Cross is made while holding the Crucifix. In addition, the following prayer may be said: "O Lord, open my lips; O God, come to my aid; O Lord, make haste to help me."

Answer: Prudence

Prudence is one the four Cardinal Virtues. The three Theological Virtues are referenced several places in the writings of St. Paul, including: "calling to mind your work of faith and labor of love [charity] and endurance in hope" (1 Thessalonians 1:3). The distinction between Theological Virtues and Cardinal Virtues is that the latter can be obtained through human effort and the former are a gift from God.

On each of the three beads a Hail Mary is said as part of the Rosary. Note: Between the Crucifix and the three beads representing the Theological Virtues is another single bead on which an Our Father is said.

Answer: Hail Mary

While a decade does begin with an Our Father and concludes with a Glory Be, there are ten Hail Marys in between. The ten rosary beads for the decade are relatively close together with a single bead (that has open space to either side of it) between the decades. Some add the Fatima Prayer after the Glory Be.

Answer: The Prayer of St. Ephraim

The person praying the Rosary may also make any special intentions known at this time. The Salve Regina (Hail, Holy Queen) and Litany of Loreto both focus on Mary. The Sign of the Cross is a blessing used in Catholicism and some other branches of Christianity where the person moves their right hand in the form of a cross while reciting, "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." The Prayer of St. Ephraim is mostly used within the Eastern Orthodox church during the Great Lent.

Answer: False

The rosary with 59 beads (including five decades) may be the most common, but it is not the only authorized version. Some rosaries (most commonly used by religious orders) contain 15 decades for the 15 mysteries. Rosary rings were sometimes used in the early modern period and had 10 indentations for a single decade.

Other rosaries were designed to be easily hidden and were used in times and places where Catholic practices could not be freely followed. In addition, the beads themselves have been made from many substances, ranging from plastic, to wood, to glass, to gold and jewels.

Answer: Luminous Mysteries

The Mysteries focus on episodes in the life and death of Jesus. The Five Luminous Mysteries are: 1. The Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan. 2. The Wedding at Cana. 3. Jesus Proclaiming the Kingdom of God. 4. The Transfiguration. 5. The Institution of the Eucharist.

By comparison, the Glorious Mysteries are: 1. The Resurrection. 2. The Ascension. 3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit. 4. The Assumption of Mary. 5. The Coronation of the Virgin.

Answer: Thursday

The Luminous Mysteries are said on Thursday. On Wednesday, the Glorious Mysteries are said (as well as on Sunday). On Monday, the Joyful Mysteries are said (as well as on Saturday). On Tuesday, the Sorrowful Mysteries are said (as well as on Friday).

The Joyous Mysteries are: 1. The Annunciation. 2. The Visitation. 3. The Nativity. 4. The Presentation of Jesus at the Temple. 5. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple.
The Sorrowful Mysteries are: 1. The Agony in the Garden. 2. The Scourging at the Pillar. 3. The Crowning with Thorns. 4. The Carrying of the Cross. 5. The Crucifixion and Death of Jesus.

Answer: Pius V

Pius V (1566-1572) was born Antonio Ghislieri. He was active in the Council of Trent and the Counter-Reformation. He was strict in the enforcement of doctrine - a policy he applied even to himself. Pius promoted the Rosary as part of the General Roman Calendar. He instituted the Feast of Our Lady of Victory (later Our Lady of the Rosary) on October 7.

Earlier devices that were similar to a rosary have been traced back to the fourth century AD.

Answer: Nine days

The most common length of Novenas are nine days. (The month of November in the Gregorian calendar means "ninth month".) A petition is usually offered by the prayer along with the Rosary. A longer form of Novena is the 54-day Novena where the petition is offered for 27 days (three times nine) and thanksgiving is offered for 27 further days.

Answer: True

The physical Rosary is simply a memory aid. The beads assist in keeping a count of the prayers so that more focus can be given to the various Mysteries. A Rosary said using an alternate device for counting or no device at all is just as vaild.