Posts from:
Pat McCloskey, OFM
Pat McCloskey, OFM, is the Franciscan advisor for St. Anthony Messenger and the writer of its "Ask a Franciscan" column.
Wearing a Tau Cross
Pat McCloskey, OFM
February 18, 2026
Am I allowed to wear a Tau cross? Can I wear it with knots? Because I have not taken the same vows, I’m not sure if it’s proper for me to wear the knots.
Justification by Faith Alone
Pat McCloskey, OFM
February 17, 2026
What is the Catholic Church’s position on justification by faith alone?
Did Jesus Have a Soul?
Pat McCloskey, OFM
February 16, 2026
As fully divine and fully human, Jesus must have had a human soul, right?
Baptizing Grandchildren Secretly
Pat McCloskey, OFM
February 13, 2026
At a recent meeting, the topic of unbaptized grandchildren came up. I have been told by many priests and deacons that I could not baptize my grandchildren because it can only be administered once. What happens when grandparents baptize their grandchildren, and no one is ever told?
When Did Jesus become a Catholic?
Pat McCloskey, OFM
February 12, 2026
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.
One of my Jewish friends asked me, “When did Jesus become a Christian?” Soon after that, a relative asked me, “Well, when did he become a Catholic?” Please address these questions in your column.
Is Social Justice Marxism?
Pat McCloskey, OFM
February 11, 2026
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 churches to run them as everything else—as the Communists do. He said there is a part of our Church that is tied into Marxism. What is it and how can we stop it?