Ask a Franciscan
Dealing With A Father’s Abuse
I am the youngest in a large family. Many of my siblings suffered physical or verbal abuse from our father when we were growing up. Although he has abused our mother verbally and continues to do so, she has stayed with him all these years. They are now in their 80s.
Did the Church Make Up Purgatory?
My middle-aged daughter recently told me that there is no purgatory, that the Catholic Church made that up.
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Did Jesus Have Siblings?
If St. James is Jesus’ brother, would James not also be God’s son? Were Mary and Joseph the parents of James?
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Too Much Emphasis on Christ Crucified?
Why does the Catholic Church emphasize Christ crucified instead of Christ risen?
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What about Limbo?
Question about limbo: Are souls in a state of eternal happiness outside heaven or do they go to hell forever? I pray for my granddaughter’s soul.
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Why Do We Need Low-gluten Hosts?
I don’t understand why someone who has celiac disease and is, therefore, allergic to gluten needs a low-gluten host. The bread at Mass changes substantially into the Body of Christ.
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How Much of the Mass Must I Attend?
To fulfill the Sunday obligation to attend Mass, how long or for what parts must you be present? What is the penitential rite? Must you be present for that? When may you leave and still fulfill the obligation?
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