Ask a Franciscan
Who Assigns Patron Saints?
How is the patron saint of an occupation, a country, or a group of people decided? Specifically, how did St. Nicholas come to be the patron saint of brides, grooms, children, bakers, and pawnbrokers?
Why Are These Symbols Connected With Saints?
I have noticed that many paintings of Saint Jerome include a lion lying at his feet. In other paintings there is a skull. I have noticed similar images in paintings of other saints. I am intrigued by these symbols. What ...
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Is a Private Marriage OK?
We decided to get married before God but privately. We knelt down before a crucifix and made our wedding vows before God. Have we committed a sin and, if so, what should we do?
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God Knows Our Heart Completely
Did I confess certain sins? If I didn’t, have I sinned by going to Holy Communion all these years? I have gone to Confession faithfully.
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Too Many Clergy Among Canonized Saints?
Who was the last saint canonized who was not a member of the clergy? Are only Catholics recognized as saints? Can a non-Christian become a saint?
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Why Was Cain’s Sacrifice Rejected?
Cain killed his brother, Abel, out of jealousy because God accepted Abel’s sacrifice, “the firstlings of his flock, their fat portions,” but not Cain’s from “the fruit of the soil” (Gn 4:3–5, New Revised Standard Version). Why?
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Anointing the Sick and Baptism
The catechumens in my RCIA group asked me these questions: Can permanent deacons administer the Sacrament of the Sick? Can a non-baptized person receive the Sacrament of the Sick? Can a baptized person who is not a Catholic receive the Sacrament ...
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