The Larks of Assisi
Pat McCloskey, OFM
October 15, 2026
Francis had a special affection for larks; he considered their brown feathers a sign of their closeness to God, of their humility.
Posts from:
Pat McCloskey, OFM
Pat McCloskey, OFM, is the Franciscan advisor for St. Anthony Messenger and the writer of its "Ask a Franciscan" column.
Casual Sex on TV
Pat McCloskey, OFM
October 15, 2026
Q: Many TV shows include sexual remarks or people sleeping with people to whom they are not married. I don’t watch much television, but I do enjoy several hospital-based programs that have good plots but frequently include these situations, which are becoming more and more common.
Is it a serious sin for me to watch such programs? Do I need to confess such viewing?
Red, White, and Green Martyrs?
Pat McCloskey, OFM
October 14, 2026
In the book How the Irish Saved Civilization (Doubleday), Thomas Cahill talks about both green and white martyrdom. According to Cahill, Ireland was unique in that Christianity was introduced there without bloodshed (red martyrdom).
Mothers and Holiness
Pat McCloskey, OFM
October 13, 2026
Most new saints are either priests or women who belonged to religious communities. Which of the most recent saints is a wife and a mother?
Did I Do the Right Thing?
Pat McCloskey, OFM
October 12, 2026
I am developing a scruple over how an inheritance from my mother was divided. I hope that I did not do anything wrong. Please help me put my mind at rest.
Did John the Baptist Doubt Jesus?
Pat McCloskey, OFM
October 9, 2026
After John described Jesus as the “Lamb of God” (Jn 1:36), Andrew and another disciple left John to follow Jesus. Was John the Baptist having doubts about who Jesus was?
Were All the Apostles Single?
Pat McCloskey, OFM
October 8, 2026
Were all the apostles single men when they began to follow Jesus? Is there anything in the Bible on this? Is that why the Catholic Church ordains only single men?