Ask a Franciscan
The Cowl Doesn’t Make the Monk
				
			
																				
			Pat McCloskey, OFM		
				
																						
			September 29, 2025		
		
		
				Who decreed that all clergy and the majority of the many orders of brothers and sisters must wear black?
What Is Americanism?
					
			
																				
			Pat McCloskey, OFM		
				
																						
			September 28, 2025		
				
		
		
			Is Americanism a heresy? If so, what does it mean? The person who introduced me to this term was not very clear about its meaning.		
					
					
														
									
								
													
						Read More →
					
				
						God’s Will, Human Freedom
					
			
																				
			Pat McCloskey, OFM		
				
																						
			September 27, 2025		
				
		
		
			I believe that from all eternity God has planned our world and knew exactly what would occur. When I was created, God knew what I would do, when, where and how.		
					
					
														
									
								
													
						Read More →
					
				
						What Is the Kingdom of God?
					
			
																				
			Pat McCloskey, OFM		
				
																						
			September 26, 2025		
				
		
		
			Please explain in simple language the concept of the kingdom of God. What Jesus means by the expression the kingdom of God is accepting God’s values as trustworthy and enough, not needing any “improvements,” as we often describe them.		
					
					
														
									
								
													
						Read More →
					
				
						Coping With a Mother’s Death
					
			
																				
			Pat McCloskey, OFM		
				
																						
			September 25, 2025		
				
		
		
			Does God have a specific minute for us to die—known to God before each of us is born?		
					
					
														
									
								
													
						Read More →
					
				
						Fearing God the Father
					
			
																				
			Pat McCloskey, OFM		
				
																						
			September 23, 2025		
				
		
		
			I find the infant Jesus and the adult Jesus very approachable. When I think of God the Father, however, I am very afraid.		
					
					
														
									
								
													
						Read More →
					
				
						Avoiding Public Prayer
					
			
																				
			Pat McCloskey, OFM		
				
																						
			September 22, 2025		
				
		
		
			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?		
					
					
														
									
								
													
						Read More →
					
				
						
								





