Why Was St. Francis So Devoted to Mary?
Pat McCloskey, OFM
May 5, 2026
I have heard that St. Francis of Assisi was very devoted to Mary, the mother of Jesus. Why? Did Francis write about her?
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.
May a Catholic Have a Living Will?
Pat McCloskey, OFM
May 4, 2026
Is it proper for me as a Catholic to have a living will? What does the Church teach about this?
This is not only proper but also a great service to one’s friends, relatives, or whoever must make crucial medical decisions for that person.
The term living will is not used very much now, having been replaced in the United States at least by advance medical directives and medical power of attorney.
Is Purgatory in the Bible?
Pat McCloskey, OFM
May 1, 2026
Why do Catholics teach that purgatory exists? I can’t find it in my Bible.
‘Son of Man’ or ‘Son of God’?
Pat McCloskey, OFM
April 30, 2026
Why does Jesus refer to himself much more often as the “Son of Man” than as the “Son of God”? You are right about his
Are Statues Idols?
Pat McCloskey, OFM
April 29, 2026
Where does the Catholic Church stand on images of Christ, statues of saints, pictures of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Our Lady of Guadalupe, etc.? Is it wrong for me to have these items in my home?
Why So Few Lay Saints?
Pat McCloskey, OFM
April 28, 2026
Few lay men or women have been formally canonized. Most saints belonged to religious communities.
Did Jesus Condemn Slavery?
Pat McCloskey, OFM
April 27, 2026
I cannot find any passage in the Gospels where Jesus condemns slavery. Have I missed something?