Ask a Franciscan

Why do Franciscans so often wear a Tau cross or use it in their artwork? Also, compared to the crosses we usually see, why doesn’t it have a top part?

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 ...

When and by whom was Our Lady of Guadalupe declared “Patroness of the Americas”?

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?

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 ...

Is it all right to ask God to give someone a happy death?