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?

I recently attended the ordination of a Catholic priest. One of the prayers spoke of him as being ordained “according to the order of Melchizedek.” Who was this person and why is he mentioned in the ordination ceremony?

Who Is St. John of Avila?

Pat McCloskey, OFM May 11, 2020

During Pope Benedict XVI’s August 2011 visit to Madrid for World Youth Day, he told seminarians gathered at that city’s Almudena Cathedral that he would declare St. John of Avila the 34th Doctor of the Church. Who is this saint ...

Members of the Missionaries of Charity attend a service marking the 100th anniversary of the birth of Blessed Teresa of Kolkata in this Aug. 26, 2010, file photo. Pope Francis has approved a miracle attributed to the intercession of Blessed Teresa, paving the way for her canonization in 2016. (CNS photo/Deshakalayan Chowdhur, Reuters pool)

Learning from St. Teresa of Calcutta

Pat McCloskey, OFM May 10, 2020

When she was declared a saint, did Mother Teresa strut around heaven and rub it in that she has been officially recognized whereas most of the other souls there have not? Unlikely. We formally recognize saints not for their benefit, but for ours.

Did Jesus Have Siblings?

Pat McCloskey, OFM May 9, 2020

If St. James is Jesus’ brother, would James not also be God’s son? Were Mary and Joseph the parents of James?

Where Should the Tabernacle Go?

Pat McCloskey, OFM May 9, 2020

Most members of our large Catholic community have been trying to rescue Our Lord from a tabernacle on a side altar. Some churches have kept the tabernacle where it belongs: in the center of the main altar.

Did the Church Make Up Purgatory?

Pat McCloskey, OFM May 9, 2020

My middle-aged daughter recently told me that there is no purgatory, that the Catholic Church made that up.

Do you have a question for Father Pat McCloskey, OFM? The author of St. Anthony Messenger’s popular “Ask a Franciscan” column is ready to answer your toughest questions!

First Name

Last Name

I would like to remain anonymous

Please choose the option that best describes you

My Question

Franciscan Media is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy, and we’ll only use your personal information to administer your account and to provide the products and services you requested from us. From time to time, we would like to contact you about our products and services, as well as other content that may be of interest to you. If you consent to us contacting you for this purpose, please tick below to say how you would like us to contact you:

I agree to receive other communications from Franciscan Media.

In order to provide you the content requested, we need to store and process your personal data. If you consent to us storing your personal data for this purpose, please tick the checkbox below.

I agree to allow Franciscan Media to store and process my personal data.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Ask a Franciscan

Do you have a question for Father Pat McCloskey, OFM? The author of St. Anthony Messenger's popular "Ask a Franciscan" column in ready to answer your toughest questions!

Name

First

Last

Checkboxes

I would like to remain anonymous

Please choose the option that best describes you

My Question

In order to provide you the content requested, we need to store and process your personal data. If you consent to us storing your personal data for this purpose, please tick the checkbox below.

Information Consent

I agree to allow Franciscan Media to store and process my personal data

Our Mission

We are Franciscan Media, a sponsored ministry of the Franciscan Friars of Our Lady of Guadalupe Province. We strive to inspire a loving world that embraces the Franciscan spirit of harmony, joy, and simplicity. May our resources renew your spirit as we share God’s love in the spirit of St. Francis and St. Clare.