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?

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?

What exactly does consubstantial mean, and by what authority was it inserted into the Nicene Creed?

From time to time, I have heard the expression that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a virgin in partu. What does this term mean?

Books say Nicholas died in 342 A.D., but they don’t say when he became a saint. They also say that, while many miracles were performed, they were not recognized by the Catholic Church and he was dropped from the Roman ...