There were three questions which stumped many people. However, these questions were not simple ones and two of the three questions were ones that the 8th graders had a hard time with as well. The three questions were:

8. The truths, beliefs and practices of the Catholic faith are known as:

ANSWER: Traditions

Only 24% got this question correct. Most persons thought the answer was doctrine. Doctrine would be defined as: the body of revealed and defined truths which a Catholic is bound to hold. The word 'practices' makes the answer Traditions because Tradition is the practice of the doctrines of our faith. This was one that was difficult for the 8th graders.

9. The sacrament of confession:

ANSWER: Must be received before receiving Communion by anyone guilty of a mortal sin since their last confession.

Most answered All of the above. Only 20% answered it correctly. Some thought the Church required you to go to confession once a year. They do not, but the Church does require you to receive Communion once a year. Others believed that you must confess all your sins committed for the sacrament to be valid. Actually, you only have to confess those sins you remember and you do not have to confess venial sins although you really should. You DO have to confess all mortal sins that you can remember and if you purposely omit a mortal sin the confession is not valid.

The 8th graders answered this question correctly right away but they had been studying the sacraments before their confirmation. So those that missed it shouldn't feel real bad.

14. A deacon is:

ANSWER: A man who has received the first degree of Holy Orders.

There were 35% who got this correct. Most choose Both B and C. However, B says that a deacon is a layman who may distribute Communion, marry people, baptize babies, and wear vestments. A deacon is an ordained clergy, though, so he cannot be a layman. The answer was C as is listed above. The 8th graders had to think about this one for a minute or so before they answered it correctly. Again, they had been studying the sacraments.

What is comforting to me is that the three most missed questions, while important to our faith, are not so important that I would feel a person is lacking in truly understanding the Catholic faith. I am actually GLAD that people think you need to go to confession once a year. Keep thinking that =)

Overall, I think everyone should be proud of their knowledge of the faith. The quiz on morals, which I will evaluate in my next blog will be important in understanding how people understand and live the precepts of our faith in the world today. If you haven't taken the morals quiz please feel free to do so: http://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/quizview.php?id=4482 and please take time to answer the survey I mentioned in my Monday blog on Catholic beliefs: http://www.quibblo.com/quiz/1wm8mLa/The-beliefs-of-the-Catholic-faith where you will see a set of statements of our faith. The survey tells to what extent persons agree with these Catholic beliefs. I want to again emphasize that this final survey is completely anonymous and I ask you to answer it honestly. Until next time...God bless.