Ask a Franciscan

Painting of hell

Is Purgatory in the Bible? 

Why do Catholics teach that purgatory exists? I can’t find it in my Bible. 
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Sharing Communion Is Rarely Permitted

May a Catholic give or invite a non-Catholic to receive holy Communion? Wouldn’t that promote our efforts toward ecumenism?
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‘Asleep in Christ’

In my Bible readings I come across passages about “those asleep in Christ.” What is meant by those “asleep in Christ?”
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The Heroic Act

Many years ago, as a child of 11 or 12, I read a book on Fatima. At the end of the book was a pledge called a heroic act where persons pledged to give all the indulgences they earned during ...
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Tell Me about Indulgences

What is the basis of the Church’s authority to grant indulgences? Our Lord did not mention indulgences specifically to my knowledge.
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Are Statues Idols?

Where does the Catholic Church stand on images of Christ, statues of saints, pictures of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Our Lady of Guadalupe, etc.? Is it wrong for me to have these items in my home?
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Dedication of Days and Months

When I grew up I learned what or to whom each month of the year was dedicated. A lot of years have passed. Can you tell me if the months still have a special dedication? How are they dedicated?
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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!

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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!

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