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?

Stages in the Canonization Process

Pat McCloskey, OFM May 9, 2020

What do the four stages in the canonization process (servant of God, venerable, blessed and saint) mean?

St. Peter's and the Vatican | Photo by Simone Savoldi on Unsplash

Why Is the Pope Called the ‘Supreme Pontiff’?

Pat McCloskey, OFM May 9, 2020

According to Webster’s New World College Dictionary, the definition for the pope is “supreme pontiff.” Why is that?

Did An All-good God Create Evil?

Pat McCloskey, OFM May 9, 2020

Evil: How did it begin? What is its root cause? Is the devil absolute? If so, how could absolute evil come from God, who is absolute good?

Where Is It in the Bible?

Pat McCloskey, OFM May 9, 2020

I have heard people say that the quote “The Lord only helps those who help themselves” appears in the Bible, but they can never give a reference. Is this quote in the Bible? If so, where?

Man reading a bible | Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

Books Not in Protestant Bible

Pat McCloskey, OFM May 9, 2020

I have heard that there are seven Old Testament books that are not found in Protestant Bibles. The Second Book of Maccabees is the only one that I can name. What are the other six?

Did Mary Vow Virginity Before the Annunciation?

Pat McCloskey, OFM May 9, 2020

I have been under the impression that Mary, the mother of Jesus, made a vow of virginity even before the Annunciation. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says nothing about this.

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.