Lord, Save Us from ‘Cute’ Saints!
Pat McCloskey, OFM
October 29, 2020
“Cute” isn’t all bad, but this way of looking at saints hides the wideness of God’s mercy.
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.
Confronting Racism
Pat McCloskey, OFM
July 29, 2020
I have a family member who seems to harbor a racist attitude. How do I respond when I hear this person make thinly veiled racist statements?
These comments probably reflect what this family member considers “normal, ” “what everyone knows, ” or wishes were true. At some level, this family member is protecting how he or she sees the world what he or she needs to be true. Otherwise, this person may have to ask life-changing questions and make equally radical changes.
Our Common Roots: Catholic-Jewish Relations Today
Pat McCloskey, OFM
May 31, 2020
Nothing is more crucial for Catholic-Jewish dialogue today than finding the truth about the Holy See’s actions toward Jews before and during World War II.
‘Consubstantial’ Explained
Pat McCloskey, OFM
May 30, 2020
What exactly does consubstantial mean, and by what authority was it inserted into the Nicene Creed?
Was Mary a Virgin During Childbirth?
Pat McCloskey, OFM
May 30, 2020
From time to time, I have heard the expression that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a virgin in partu. What does this term mean?
When Did It Change?
Pat McCloskey, OFM
May 26, 2020
When did Saturday night Mass for Sunday start to be allowed?
First, please remember that Judaism in Jesus’ day considered that a “day ” began with sunset of the previous day. Jewish feasts still follow that custom. Although some Christians accepted this calculation for their own celebrations, most people considered a “day ” to go from midnight to midnight.
Was Saint Nicholas Real?
Pat McCloskey, OFM
May 25, 2020
Books say Nicholas died in 342 A.D., but they don’t say when he became a saint. They also say that, while many miracles were performed, they were not recognized by the Catholic Church and he was dropped from the Roman liturgical calendar in 1969.