‘Where There Is Darkness, Light’
Pat McCloskey, OFM
October 14, 2025
What is your take on situations where Catholics drop their faith and die without receiving the sacraments? Can you say anything to ease my mind?
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.
Is There an Official Catholic Bible?
Pat McCloskey, OFM
October 13, 2025
Years ago in parochial school, I recall that we were told that the Douay-Rheims version was the only one that we were allowed to read. The teacher even said that reading any “Protestant” Bible, especially the King James Version, was sinful.
The Lord’s Way
Pat McCloskey, OFM
October 12, 2025
Sometimes we resist conversion to the Lord’s way because we fear giving it full freedom will shrink our world, will make us more closed in.
Why Do We Need Low-gluten Hosts?
Pat McCloskey, OFM
October 12, 2025
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.
What Is the Church’s Teaching on Yoga?
Pat McCloskey, OFM
October 11, 2025
Speakers whom I greatly respect have said that Catholics should not do yoga or Pilates™. Does the Catholic Church allow this?
Purgatory on Earth?
Pat McCloskey, OFM
October 10, 2025
I read somewhere a theory that after death we live our lives over again to see the sins we committed, the people we hurt, and that impact on others. At my advanced age, I am constantly recalling various times in my life where I hurt others (in no criminal or unlawful way).
Grieving Family Members
Pat McCloskey, OFM
October 9, 2025
Q. For six years, I was the sole caregiver of my mom and my aunt. They died eight weeks apart. I miss them so much; they were my best friends, and we did everything together. I still grieve their deaths, especially during the holidays. I cry often, but I offer all my loneliness, sadness, and Masses for the holy souls in purgatory. When will my pain and loneliness ease? I am very active in my local parish.