Ask a Franciscan
Grieving Family Members
Q. For six years, I was the sole caregiver of my mom and my aunt. They died eight weeks apart. I miss them so much; they were my best friends, and we did everything together. I still grieve their deaths, especially during the holidays. I cry often, but I offer all my loneliness, sadness, and Masses for the holy souls in purgatory. When will my pain and loneliness ease? I am very active in my local parish.
What Is the Secular Franciscan Order?
Even though I have long known that there are Franciscan sisters, brothers, and priests, a friend recently told me about a group that is completely new to me: the Secular Franciscan Order.
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Why Roman Catholic?
Why does the Roman Catholic Church call itself that? Jesus stood against everything that the Roman Empire represented—the power, the might and the violence. Rome figured mightily in his death on the cross.
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How Did Evil Begin?
What is the absolute root cause of evil? How can an absolute evil (the devil) come from an absolute good (God)?
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Are Catholic Schools the Answer?
Why do so many graduates of Catholic schools become agnostics or atheists or join other churches?
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Why Was St. Francis So Devoted to Mary?
I have heard that St. Francis of Assisi was very devoted to Mary, the mother of Jesus. Why? Did Francis write about her?
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Can Second Cousins Marry?
A niece of my husband has become very close to one of her second cousins. They and some family members are questioning if they are too closely related to marry one another. Are they?
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