Ask a Franciscan
How Much of the Mass Must I Attend?
Pat McCloskey, OFM
October 26, 2025
To fulfill the Sunday obligation to attend Mass, how long or for what parts must you be present? What is the penitential rite? Must you be present for that? When may you leave and still fulfill the obligation?
Individual Successors for Apostles?
Pat McCloskey, OFM
October 25, 2025
According to Acts 1:26, Matthias was selected to replace Judas, bringing the number of apostles back to 12. I know that the pope, the bishop of Rome, is considered the successor of Peter. Were the other apostles replaced upon their ...
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Origin of Saint Francis’ Peace Prayer
Pat McCloskey, OFM
October 23, 2025
I keep seeing Saint Francis of Assisi credited as saying, “Preach the gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.” I have looked in several places but cannot find where Saint Francis said this.
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Why Do We Need Low-gluten Hosts?
Pat McCloskey, OFM
October 12, 2025
I don’t understand why someone who has celiac disease and is, therefore, allergic to gluten needs a low-gluten host. The bread at Mass changes substantially into the Body of Christ.
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What Is the Secular Franciscan Order?
Pat McCloskey, OFM
October 8, 2025
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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How Did Evil Begin?
Pat McCloskey, OFM
October 6, 2025
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?
Pat McCloskey, OFM
October 5, 2025
Why do so many graduates of Catholic schools become agnostics or atheists or join other churches?
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