How much do you know about When The Saints Go Marching In? | Quiz

Answer: St. Nicholas

As with many of the saints, their lives are based both on confirmed truths and (sometimes) on legends - stories passed from one generation to the next. St. Nicholas was an early Christian bishop who lived in an area of Asia Minor (then) called Myra. His generous actions and secretive gifts were among the things on which our 21st century Santa Claus is based. Legend tells that St. Nicholas wanted a give a poor father of three daughters enough money for each daughter to have a suitable dowry, but St. Nicholas also wanted to allow the poor man to avoid the stigma of receiving charity. St. Nicholas went to the man's house and threw a bag of gold down the chimney. Sound familiar? St. Nicholas' Day has (often) been celebrated on December 6th. St. Nicholas was featured in the section of Amy Welborn's book called: "Saints are people who love children".

Answer: St. Joan of Arc

St. Joan of Arc was born to parents who were meager farmers; certainly, she was considered a peasant. As a young woman - possibly as young as 14 or 15 - she began to realize a consciousness about herself that gave her the confidence to rise above her humble position and lead the French army.

This was during the time of The Hundred Years' War that was fought between the French and the English. She was captured, tried and condemned of heresy and witchcraft by the English. She was burned at the stake on May 30, 1431.

The feast day for St. Joan of Arc has traditionally been on May 30th - the anniversary of her execution. St. Joan of Arc was featured in the section of Amy Welborn's book called: "Saints are people who surprise others".

Answer: St. Benedict

As a young adult monk, Benedict developed a strong relationship with God through prayer and concentration. His insisted to his fellow monks - who embraced a life of wealth - that theirs was not the best model for others who may want to learn more about God.

His strict and ascetic practice was not popular among his peers. One story tells of an attempt of his fellow monks to murder Benedict by poisoning his drink. As the story goes, Benedict prayed over the tainted cup/beverage and it shattered, spilling its contents and saving his life.

It was the beginning of acceptance of Benedict's way of life for priests. In the 21st century the Feast of St. Benedict was celebrated on July 11th - according to the General Roman Calendar. St. Benedict was featured in the section of Amy Welborn's book called: "Saints are people who teach us new ways to pray".

Answer: St. Francis Xavier

In the 21st century the thought of traveling from Europe the Middle East - or, even more, to the Far East - is not the daunting trip it was in Portugal/Spain during the 1500s when Francis Xavier lived and began his work as a missionary. Francis Xavier may or may not have known when he left his home (in what became a region in Spain) bound for India that he would never see Europe again but he traveled, confident in his "calling" to bring the news of Christianity to the people of India. Later he would preach and teach in Japan. Francis Xavier died before he could reach China (his intended destination) but his steadfast faith remained, according to all accounts of his travels.

The Feast of St. Francis Xavier has been celebrated on December 3rd. St. Francis Xavier was featured in the section of Amy Welborn's book called: "Saints are people who travel far from home".

Answer: St. Helena

It is widely accepted that Helena was not raised in a family who embraced the Christian faith and her husband, Emperor Constantius Chlorus, demonstrated pagan beliefs for much of his life. Once Helena embraced Christianity her faith never faltered. Helena and her son, Emperor Constantine, were very close and he trusted her religious faith. Through no small influence of his mother, Emperor Constantine would become the first Roman Emperor to convert to Christianity.

Helena is said to have traveled extensively - even to parts of Palestine - using the advantages her great wealth and position afforded in her efforts to share her Christian faith. According to tradition supported by some Christian churches, Empress Helena found the True Cross (the cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified) during a tour of the area (near) Jerusalem.

The Feast of St. Helena of the True Cross has been celebrated on August 18th. St. Helena was featured in the section of Amy Welborn's book called: "Saints are people who are strong leaders".

Answer: St. Thomas Becket

Much of the information known about St. Thomas Becket describes him as extremely likable, efficient and intelligent. Although Thomas was older than King Henry, theirs was a strong, sibling-like relationship - that was, until Thomas refused to agree with everything the king said and did. Ah, the struggles of separation of church and state! Thomas was devout to his faith in the church and believed the government (i.e., the king) should not attempt to tell the church how to "do things" and King Henry was just as determined that the King should have ultimate power. Thomas was murdered by four knights who (may or may not have - the stories differ) acted on the demand of King Henry.

The Feast of St. Thomas Becket was observed on December 29th - the anniversary of his murder. St. Thomas Becket was featured in the section of Amy Welborn's book called: "Saints are people who tell the truth".

Answer: St. Patrick

Not very much is known for certain about St. Patrick - for example, his birthplace, when and how he experienced his religious conversion, even what name he used for himself are among the disputed "facts". It is likely he did not live in (what would become known as Ireland) until he was taken there as a slave.

There are stories about St. Patrick which have become legend and, in turn, have added to the popularity of this saint. Credit is given to St. Patrick with all certainty of his evangelism to the pagan people of Pict and Anglo-Saxon origin and his love of and patience with them as he taught them about Christianity.

The Feast of St. Patrick was traditionally celebrated on March 17th - believed to be the anniversary of his death. St. Patrick was featured in the section of Amy Welborn's book called: "Saints are people who help us understand God".

Answer: St. Francis of Assisi

Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone was born in late twelfth century into a life of wealth and privilege. Much that is known about his early life tells of young man who dreamed of fame as an honored and respected knight of war. Instead, he became one of the most venerated religious figures in the Catholic church by abandoning that life to live, to preach and to teach with very little privilege or possession.

He founded the men's Order of Friars Minor, the women's Order of Saint Clare, the Third Order of Saint Francis and the Custody of the Holy Land.

The Feast of St. Francis of Assisi has been traditionally celebrated on October 4th - believed to be the anniversary of his death. St. Francis of Assisi was featured in the section of Amy Welborn's book called: "Saints are people who change their lives for God".

Answer: St. George

Little is known with absolute about the life of the man who would become and be lauded as St. George. The images of St. George slaying a fire breathing dragon certainly must be more representative of his battles against "evil" and/or to epitomize his bravery and steadfastness in his faith than based on reality.

It is fact that the Emperor Diocletian (aka Emperor Diocles) wanted to purge Christianity from the Roman Empire and his measures were often cruel and deadly. The representation of St. George may be blended, exaggerated or invented, but nonetheless it is one that is recognized in several areas of the world and by several denominations of the Christian faith.

The Feast of St. George has traditionally been celebrated on April 23rd - accepted as the anniversary of his death in 303. St. George was featured in the section of Amy Welborn's book called: "Saints are people who are brave".

Answer: St. Vincent de Paul

St. Vincent de Paul was born in the French village of Pouy on April 24, 1581. He valued the importance of education and was determined to continue his own education - even after the most dire of circumstances befell him, he became a respected scholar.

His work with this poor and the sick became his passion, but St. Vincent de Paul also recognized the importance of the work done by women of Christian faith. Beginning in the mid-twentieth century the Feast of St. Vincent de Paul was celebrated on September 27th - the anniversary of his death in 1660. St. Vincent de Paul was featured in the section of Amy Welborn's book called: "Saints are people who help the poor and sick".