Ask a Franciscan
One of Life's Great Losses
How do I understand and find peace in the death of a parent?
Please accept my condolences on the death of your father or mother. Allow yourself to grieve properly but without being absolutely consumed or paralyzed by this death. Joining a support group for people who have recently lost a loved one may be helpful. If not, consider seeking individual grief counseling.
Admitting Gross Historical Injustices
Call it tribalism, but I’ve always cast a skeptical eye on the Dominicans ever since I learned about their role in the Inquisition. Do you have any advice for thinking about historical misdeeds?
Read More →
Is Social Justice Marxism?
Q: I am a big supporter of Glenn Beck and all the work he is doing to save the country. On one of his programs, he was discussing social justice, which is Marxism, and how the government is trying to absorb the ...
Read More →
When Did Jesus become a Catholic?
Q: A few years ago, I overheard a Catholic woman ask her friend, "When did Jesus become a Catholic?" A few of us laughed but did try to explain that Jesus was the Christ. He was born Jewish and died Jewish. ...
Read More →
Attending Mass on Holy Days of Obligation
Can the obligation to attend Mass on holy days be fulfilled before or after the actual day?
Read More →
Marks of Respect Vary by Culture
Why do people kiss the pope’s ring? This strikes me as a very odd custom and is certainly not based on the Bible. I have never found anyone who could give me a good explanation for this practice.
Read More →
Is There a Heaven?
Q: All my life we have been told that when we die we will be with God for all eternity. I sometimes feel, however, that when you die that’s it—no heaven, God or anything. It’s frightening to think that what I ...
Read More →