Ask a Franciscan

A Catholic neighbor recently told me her parish priest said that if a deacon’s wife dies, the Church forbids him from marrying again. What is the reasoning behind this Church ruling?

I know that the pope’s infallibility is not a personal trait but is part of his office as the successor of St. Peter. Even so, is every encyclical infallible?

Both my children, graduates of Catholic schools, are studying the Bible and want to know where it says that we should to pray the rosary to honor Mary, the mother of Jesus.

What is the oldest Marian shrine in the United States?  

Does God have a specific minute for us to die—known to God before each of us is born?

We are living in confusing times, especially with abortion, political lies, gun violence, attacks against the Church, and so on. What is the Catholic Church’s teaching on the common good?