Ask a Franciscan

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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‘Where There Is Darkness, Light’

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?

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?

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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Man poses in yoga

What Is the Church’s Teaching on Yoga?

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?

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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Person sitting with back against the wall on the bed holding coffee

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 ...
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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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