Ask a Franciscan
Tell Me about Indulgences
Pat McCloskey, OFM
October 15, 2025
What is the basis of the Church’s authority to grant indulgences? Our Lord did not mention indulgences specifically to my knowledge.
‘Where There Is Darkness, Light’
Pat McCloskey, OFM
October 14, 2025
What is your take on situations where Catholics drop their faith and die without receiving the sacraments? Can you say anything to ease my mind?
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Is There an Official Catholic Bible?
Pat McCloskey, OFM
October 13, 2025
Years ago in parochial school, I recall that we were told that the Douay-Rheims version was the only one that we were allowed to read. The teacher even said that reading any “Protestant” Bible, especially the King James Version, was ...
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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 Church’s Teaching on Yoga?
Pat McCloskey, OFM
October 11, 2025
Speakers whom I greatly respect have said that Catholics should not do yoga or Pilates™. Does the Catholic Church allow this?
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Purgatory on Earth?
Pat McCloskey, OFM
October 10, 2025
I read somewhere a theory that after death we live our lives over again to see the sins we committed, the people we hurt, and that impact on others. At my advanced age, I am constantly recalling various times in ...
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Grieving Family Members
Pat McCloskey, OFM
October 9, 2025
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 ...
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