Ask a Franciscan

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?

A niece of my husband has become very close to one of her second cousins. They and some family members are questioning if they are too closely related to marry one another. Are they?

Is Americanism a heresy? If so, what does it mean? The person who introduced me to this term was not very clear about its meaning.

I believe that from all eternity God has planned our world and knew exactly what would occur. When I was created, God knew what I would do, when, where and how.

Please explain in simple language the concept of the kingdom of God. What Jesus means by the expression the kingdom of God is accepting God’s values as trustworthy and enough, not needing any “improvements,” as we often describe them.

Why is there an intermediary stage between Blessed and Saint if both titles assure someone of going to heaven? Are Blesseds waiting on the periphery to be admitted into heaven?