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?

Is There More Power in Praying for One Person?

Pat McCloskey, OFM May 19, 2020

Q: When I pray a petition, I can't help feeling that if I pray for one person only, the prayer will be stronger or more effective than if I pray for 20 people at once. For example, is "Please help David" ...

Aren’t Martyrs Automatically Canonized?

Pat McCloskey, OFM May 19, 2020

Q: The feast of Saint Charles Lwanga and companion martyrs (June 3) recently raised a question for me. On July 17, 1794, 16 Carmelite nuns were guillotined in Compiègne, France, for their faith. As a secular Carmelite, I have always considered them ...

Is Social Justice Marxism?

Pat McCloskey, OFM May 19, 2020

Q: I am a big supporter of Glenn Beck and all the work he is doing to save the country. On one of his programs, he was discussing social justice, which is Marxism, and how the government is trying to absorb the ...

When Did Jesus become a Catholic?

Pat McCloskey, OFM May 19, 2020

Q: A few years ago, I overheard a Catholic woman ask her friend, "When did Jesus become a Catholic?" A few of us laughed but did try to explain that Jesus was the Christ. He was born Jewish and died Jewish. ...

Why Does Evil Exist?

Pat McCloskey, OFM May 18, 2020

If God is all-powerful and all-good, why does evil exist?

‘Dresser of Sycamores’

Pat McCloskey, OFM May 16, 2020

Q. In Amos 7:14, at the king’s sanctuary in Bethel, the prophet verbally defends himself against the priest Amaziah by denying that he ever said he belonged to a company of prophets. Amos adds, “I am a herdsman and a ...

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