Ask a Franciscan

Was Jesus Born in December?

Pat McCloskey, OFM October 21, 2024

Do we celebrate Christmas in December because we know he was born in that month? If not, why is his birth celebrated then?

The Bible As God’s Self-Revelation

Pat McCloskey, OFM May 24, 2020

My adult nephew recently asked me: “How do I know that the Bible is the Word of God and not simply a collection of human writings? How do I know that the people who decided what belongs in the Bible ...

Anointing the Sick and Baptism

Pat McCloskey, OFM May 24, 2020

The catechumens in my RCIA group asked me these questions: Can permanent deacons administer the Sacrament of the Sick? Can a non-baptized person receive the Sacrament of the Sick? Can a baptized person who is not a Catholic receive the Sacrament ...

Why Fish on Friday?

Pat McCloskey, OFM May 24, 2020

Why do Catholics eat fish on Friday? How did this tradition start? I have been told that at one time the Italian fishing industry was in a depression, so the pope made a law mandating eating fish once a week. ...

Should I Forget My Husband’s Abuse?

Pat McCloskey, OFM May 23, 2020

I have a bully for a husband. He is always putting me down and yelling.

Red, White, and Green Martyrs?

Pat McCloskey, OFM May 23, 2020

In the book How the Irish Saved Civilization (Doubleday), Thomas Cahill talks about both green and white martyrdom. According to Cahill, Ireland was unique in that Christianity was introduced there without bloodshed (red martyrdom).

Three Lenten Questions

Pat McCloskey, OFM May 22, 2020

Lent is based on Christ’s 40-day fast in the desert, which recalls the 40 years that the Hebrew people wandered between leaving Egypt and entering the Promised Land.

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