Ask a Franciscan

How Can a Mass Be Offered for a Single Person?

If every sacrifice of the Mass is offered for the Church, how can people request individual intentions?

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Can a Catholic Marry a Lutheran?

Will this marriage be recognized by the Catholic Church? Can a Catholic priest give a blessing?
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Were All the Apostles Single?

Were all the apostles single men when they began to follow Jesus? Is there anything in the Bible on this? Is that why the Catholic Church ordains only single men?
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Why Go Barefoot?

I know that some Carmelites are referred to as “discalced,” meaning that they don’t wear shoes. Is this some form of mortification?
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Why Two Judgments?

In parochial school, I learned that there is a particular judgment when a person dies and that there will also be a general judgment at the end of the world. Why?
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Did John the Baptist Doubt Jesus?

After John described Jesus as the “Lamb of God” (Jn 1:36), Andrew and another disciple left John to follow Jesus. Was John the Baptist having doubts about who Jesus was?
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Why Does the Celtic Cross Have a Ring?

A friend recently gave me a Celtic cross. I have always liked that design, but I have never known why it includes a ring. Please explain.
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Ask a Franciscan

Do you have a question for Father Pat McCloskey, OFM? The author of St. Anthony Messenger's popular "Ask a Franciscan" column in ready to answer your toughest questions!

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