Pope Francis and the ‘Joy of Love’
Pat McCloskey, OFM
May 23, 2017
His words about marriage have been welcomed by many but not by everyone. Conscience is the key.
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.
Why Pray to Mary and the Saints?
Pat McCloskey, OFM
April 24, 2017
Why do Catholics pray to the Blessed Virgin Mary and to various saints? Is there anything in the Bible to back this up? Can’t this be considered idol worship? Why not pray directly to God?
The mother of Jesus Christ and the other saints have no meaning or power independent of God. Catholics and many other Christians venerate the saints as ongoing examples of what a life generously open to God’s grace can look like in a great variety of circumstances.
Why Does God Make the Devil So Powerful?
Pat McCloskey, OFM
April 24, 2017
If God created the angel Lucifer, who failed God through pride, why didn’t God simply dump him in hell instead of allowing him to torment and wreck so many human lives? Isn’t God more powerful than Satan?
I have heard this explained in terms of free will. When did that theory begin? It seems that our all-knowing and all-powerful God has been shoved aside. What am I missing here?
Who Wrote the Memorare?
Pat McCloskey, OFM
April 24, 2017
I have read that St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1091–1153) wrote the Memorare, but I have also read that it came later. Which is it?
The text ( “Remember, O most gracious virgin Mary, . . . “) is the shortened form of a longer prayer (Ad sanctitatis tuae pedes, dulcissima Virgo Maria) that comes from the 15th century. St. Francis de Sales (1567−1622) writes that he prayed it as a student in Paris.
Homily? Eulogy?
Pat McCloskey, OFM
March 29, 2017
Some dioceses allow eulogies at funerals, and others do not. Why is this?
This question arises frequently. According to the 1989 Order of Christian Funerals (the ritual book used by Catholics in the United States), “A brief homily is given after the Gospel reading ” (#166).
Nurturing a Franciscan Spirituality
Pat McCloskey, OFM
March 29, 2017
I need some practical advice for how to live and grow in Franciscan spirituality as a layperson. Because I am not close to a Secular Franciscan group, I need to do this on my own.
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