Ask a Franciscan

Do Catholics take seriously the corporal work of mercy to visit those in prison? Do Catholic parishes and colleges or universities have this on their radar? First, students at law schools in some Catholic universities have participated in "innocence projects ...

Is it all right to ask God to give someone a happy death?

I am concerned that a relative of mine may not have been in the state of grace when he recently received the Sacrament of Confirmation. If so, does he need to receive that sacrament again? Is that true of every ...

I recently came across a book warning world leaders about imminent catastrophic events, based on prophecies encoded in the Old Testament. A friend of mine says that looking into the future has existed in every civilization.

How are bishops appointed in the United States? Does this vary from other parts of the world? Are Roman Catholic bishops appointed the same way as Eastern Catholic bishops?

I recently came across the title "Our Lady of Sorrows" for Mary. I've never heard of this before and wonder about its origin and meaning.