Ask a Franciscan
Benefits of the Mass
In your column, you wrote, “The person for whom the Mass is offered does not receive all its benefits.” Except for not receiving the Eucharist, what benefit is not received by that person? Is there some percentage at work here? How are the benefits divided up?
Status of Divorced People in the Church
As far as the Catholic Church is concerned, what happens when a couple divorces? One spouse may not want a divorce but cannot stop it in states that have a no-fault law.
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Why ‘Rose Again from the Dead’?
In the Nicene Creed, we pray that Jesus “rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures.” In the Apostles’ Creed, we say, “On the third day he [Jesus] rose again.” Don’t these expressions suggest that Jesus has previously risen from the ...
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Too Much Emphasis on Christ Crucified?
Why does the Catholic Church emphasize Christ crucified instead of Christ risen?
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‘Son of’ or ‘Brother of’?
In the Catholic Revised Standard Version of the Bible, there appears to be an error in Luke 6:16 and Acts 1:13 in speaking of “Judas the son of James.” The Douay Version, however, speaks in Matthew 13:55 about “Jude the ...
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Disposing of Religious Articles
After my sister died last year, my niece cleaned up the apartment and gave me several religious statues and pictures. Is it a sin if I donate these things to someone else? Although I already have enough religious articles, I ...
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Order of Melchizedek
I recently attended the ordination of a Catholic priest. One of the prayers spoke of him as being ordained “according to the order of Melchizedek.” Who was this person and why is he mentioned in the ordination ceremony?
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