By Jay Sorgi • Posted March 11, 2026

“What are the three vows professed by members of religious orders?” asked Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Margaret Rose Adams, Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Schools for the Catholic Church of Philadelphia, posing the question with the energy of Alex Trebek.

“Poverty, chastity, and obedience,” a faith-filled middle schooler answered, delivering the answer with the confidence of people rattling off the three letters of the word “cat.”

That answer set the tone for the rapid-fire early rounds of the fifth Archdiocesan Elementary School Religion Bee championship competition, held Friday morning, March 6 at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center in Center City Philadelphia

Sister Margaret Rose told attendees they should expect to be amazed by the students’ knowledge.

“You will be amazed at how much information these children know. You’ll be totally amazed,” she said. “My fear is that I’m going to run out of questions!”

Twelve students from throughout the five-county area advanced through round after round without mistakes, showing knowledge that taught, wowed, and catechized the dozens of parents, grandparents, teachers, principals, Office of Catholic Education staff, and students’ classmates through a live social media broadcast.

Sister Margaret Rose framed the event’s purpose simply.

“We have geography bees, we have spelling bees, we have math contests. Religion should be our number one,” she said.

After one thoroughly correct answer, she asked Bishop Keith Chylinski, “Are you impressed?” to more than a smattering of laughter.

Bishop Chylinski said the students’ performance left him deeply encouraged.

“I was incredibly impressed by the knowledge of these students and the education they’ve received from their families, from their schools, truly shone through,” he said. “They answered so quickly with such confidence. I was just so impressed and so hopeful for the future of the Church.”

Students like eventual winner Viktor Danylyshin from Maternity B.V.M. School in Northeast Philadelphia’s Bustleton section and Cecilia Osada from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish School in Doylestown, Bucks County earned their spots by competing in school-level bees during Catholic Schools Week, followed by semifinal rounds at Archbishop Ryan and Cardinal O’Hara high schools.

Danylyshin, a Neumann Scholar and future Archbishop Wood student, explained his study routine includes “learning a little bit of everything.”

“I go over all the study guides that I’m provided with. I go over different vestments, liturgical seasons and a little bit of everything,” he said.

The student’s mastery represented only a fraction of the theological depth the 12 finalists displayed — a level of knowledge that even surprised Sister Margaret as she prepared the questions.

She noted that the bee tests more than memorization.

“This is also not only what they know, but (they) have to interpret it. What (do) the Corporal Works of Mercy look like? What (do) the Spiritual Works of Mercy look like?” she said.  “A lot is about the history of our Catholic Church of Philadelphia. We’re the only diocese in the United States that has two saints, for example.”

Attempts to pronounce “Czestochowa” drew empathetic laughter, with no points deducted.

Collectively, the students would have scored a 97 on the estimated 350 high school-or-college level questions asked in the first hour. Only seven contestants missed a question and were eliminated during that time.

Only one of the 12 students could win, and the tears from some of the competitors reflected the passion and effort they gave in trying their best. Yet even the earliest eliminators offered knowledge that would floor most of the Catholics assembled in the room —  even like Bishop Chylinski.

“I have to say there were a few that they got that I was questioning myself,” he said. “We’re always learning, and with God the learning is endless.”

Perhaps the most important outcome of the event was how these well-rounded students deepened their catechesis, with seeds being planted for their faith to grow as they mature.

Osada, who will attend Lansdale Catholic, said the experience strengthened her spiritually. “It just helps me know a lot more about my faith, and it just helps me grow,” she said.

Her mother, Rose, said she sees that growth daily.

“Oftentimes, she’ll stop and ask, ‘When was that? What does this mean? What was that pope?’ She’s learning a lot, and kind of putting the pieces together,”  she said.

“We become the next Catholics of the future that continue the teaching of everything that we hold valuable and sacred, and keep a strong Church.”

Those Catholics of the future include Danylyshin, whose correct answer — Pope Pius X —  to the question “Which pope promoted First Communion at a young age?” secured his championship title.

Danylyshin said the competition broadened his understanding of the faith.

“It’s definitely taught me a lot more. It’s basically given me a deeper insight as to what I should focus on more and not overlook in the faith,” Danylyshin said.

His mother, Nataliya, said Catholic education has shaped him profoundly.

“I’m just really happy that he was able to go to Catholic school because they learn about God every day,” she said.

“That’s the biggest value for us, just to be able to know God and implement everything he learns into his life.”

Archdiocesan leaders say competitions like this help form the next generation of strong Catholics.

“When you give this foundation to young people, it stays with them and it’s something that they’ll lean on and come back to us as they get older,” Bishop Chylinski said. “It’s really the rock, the foundation for their lives.”

Sister Margaret Rose said the bee may even be shaping future vocations.

“Who’s going to win a religion bee? Possibly a future priest, a future sister, or a good man and a good woman faithfully married to each other, raising the children in the faith,” she added.

“We’re developing missionary disciples.”