Ask a Franciscan
Coping With a Mother’s Death
Does God have a specific minute for us to die—known to God before each of us is born?
Fearing God the Father
I find the infant Jesus and the adult Jesus very approachable. When I think of God the Father, however, I am very afraid.
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Avoiding Public Prayer
My 49-year-old daughter left the Catholic Church several years ago. She loves praying by herself to God the Father but avoids public prayer. How can she not recognize Jesus’ presence in the Blessed Sacrament?
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Why Is God’s Name So Important?
I don’t understand why the name of God was so important to the Israelites. I thought God’s name was simply “God.”
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Forgiveness from One’s Spouse
If a person commits adultery and then goes to confession, does that person have to ask forgiveness from his or her spouse?
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Are Some Prayers More Powerful Than Others?
Some people speak as though particular prayers or a series of prayers (such as a novena) are more powerful than simpler prayers. Is this true? Also, if I believe that God’s will is always done, why should I pray for ...
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Why Doesn’t the Church Rule on Stigmatics?
In one of your columns, you mentioned in passing that the church does not rule on stigmatics. Why is that?
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