Ask a Franciscan

Share Your Reasons to Remain Catholic

Local parishes encourage us to bring nonpracticing Catholics “back into the fold.” I can’t get my adult kids to come regularly because they consider Mass an ancient practice with little or no relevance today. I know many other parents who are in the same situation. What can we do?

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The History of the 'Patroness of the Americas'

When and by whom was Our Lady of Guadalupe declared “Patroness of the Americas”?
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Why We Should Pray the Rosary

Both my children, graduates of Catholic schools, are studying the Bible and want to know where it says that we should to pray the rosary to honor Mary, the mother of Jesus.
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'Say' Mass? 'Pray' the Mass?

I remember hearing priests talk about “saying” Mass at a particular time and place. Now I hear people talk about “praying” the Mass. I’ve been to many Masses in various settings over the years. Why the difference?
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Who Wrote the Gospel of John?

I was surprised to read in an earlier “Ask” column that John the Apostle did not write the Gospel of John. Who did? We are not entirely sure. First, I should point out that only around the year AD 125 ...
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Praying for a ‘Happy Death’

Is it all right to ask God to give someone a happy death?
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The Holy Family’s Arrival in Nazareth

According to Luke, the Holy Family went to Nazareth a little more than 40 days after Jesus was born. Matthew’s Gospel suggests it may have been several years later. Which was it?
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