Ask a Franciscan

Suffering from Natural Disasters

Why do you think God inflicts such natural disasters on many innocent, God-loving people?

Read More →
graves

‘Asleep in Christ’

In my Bible readings I come across passages about “those asleep in Christ.” What is meant by those “asleep in Christ?”
Read More →
people attend mass outside

Sharing Communion Is Rarely Permitted

May a Catholic give or invite a non-Catholic to receive holy Communion? Wouldn’t that promote our efforts toward ecumenism?
Read More →

How Many People Have Received the Stigmata?

Who besides St. Francis of Assisi and St. Padre Pio of Pietrelcina have received the stigmata, the marks of Christ’s five wounds? Have any women received the stigmata?
Read More →
St. Peter's and the Vatican | Photo by Simone Savoldi on Unsplash

Why Is the Pope Called the ‘Supreme Pontiff’?

According to Webster’s New World College Dictionary, the definition for the pope is “supreme pontiff.” Why is that?
Read More →

Can a Catholic Marry a Lutheran?

Will this marriage be recognized by the Catholic Church? Can a Catholic priest give a blessing?
Read More →

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?
Read More →

Ask a Franciscan

Do you have a question for Father Pat McCloskey, OFM? The author of our popular "Ask a Franciscan" feature is ready to answer your toughest questions!

Name
Checkboxes

In order to provide you the content requested, we need to store and process your personal data. If you consent to us storing your personal data for this purpose, please tick the checkbox below.

Information Consent