The St Francis Trivia Quiz

On the Feast of St Francis of Assisi, test your knowledge with this quiz. See how you do and then check your answers below!

1 What was the family name of St Francis of Assisi?

a) Bernadone b) Forgione c) Offreduccio

2 In which Italian region is Assisi located?

a) Lazio b) Tuscany c) Umbria

3 What career did St Francis’ parents envisage for their son?

a) Businessman b) Politician c) Soldier

4 Why did Francis spend at least two weeks in North Africa?

a) He wanted to convert the Sultan b) He wanted to negotiate a peace treaty c) He wanted martyrdom

5 Why did St Clare have a strained relationship with the pope?

a) Pope didn’t like her personality b) She was too bossy c) She was too rigid on poverty

6 Who was Bernard of Quintavalle?

a) Archbishop of Assisi b) Cardinal who supported Francis c) Francis’ first follower

7 Which animal did St Francis tame at Gubbio?

a) Bear b) Lion c) Wolf

8 What did St Francis do at Greccio?

a) Invent the Nativity Scene b) Speak to the birds c) Write the Franciscan Rule

9 Which sister of St Clare also became a nun and a saint?

a) Agnes b) Barbara c) Catherine

10 Which South African diocese has currently a Franciscan bishop?

a) Durban b) Kokstad c) Port Elizabeth

 – With additional questions by Fr Paddy Noonan OFM

Published in the October 2023 issue of The Southern Cross magazine

Answers
1. a) Bernadone, 2. c) Umbria, 3. a) Businessman (to follow his father in his textile business), 4. c) He wanted martyrdom, 5. c) She was too rigid on poverty, 6. c) Francis’ first follower, 7. c) Wolf, 8. a) Invent the Nativity Scene, 9. a) Agnes, 10. c) Port Elizabeth (Bishop Vincent Zungu)