Is Dec. 9 a holy day of obligation this year?Jenna Marie Cooper
Q: Is Dec. 9 a day of obligation? Is this rule new? Is it just for America? (Rochester, New York) A: Normally, Dec. 9 is not a holy day of obligation, but it is this year in the United States due to ...
What's the scriptural basis for praying for the dead and venerating relics? Jenna Marie Cooper
Q: What scriptural basis is there for praying for the dead, for their repose, or for praying to the dead, for their intercessions? And in a related way, what scriptural basis is there for the Catholic ...
What is an indulgence?Jenna Marie Cooper
Q: Please explain what an indulgence is and how it can reduce or eliminate the time a soul must spend in purgatory. A: Indulgences are perhaps one of the more misunderstood parts of Catholic practice. ...
Do most people make it to heaven? Jenna Marie Cooper
Q: I recently took a six-week theology class, and the priest teaching it was pretty emphatic that most don't make it to heaven. First, we must be without mortal sin. So, all those who forsake Mass or ...
What is the church's teaching on transgender issues?Jenna Marie Cooper
Q: These days we hear so much about "trans people." I expect our church is against the practice but I really have never heard anything "official" about the church's position. What does our church say ...
If most of us go to purgatory at death, are Catholics 'saved?' Jenna Marie Cooper
Q: When I was evangelical, we said a "saved" person went immediately to heaven at death. In a recent homily, our priest said most Christians, including himself, will likely go to purgatory at death. How ...
What are 'non-sacramental' marriages?Jenna Marie Cooper
Q: I have heard some priests refer to "non-sacramental" marriages on the annulment question. I presume these are civil marriages. Is it so? Or do these marriages become "non-sacramental" due to the various ...
Why did God send Lucifer down to earth? Jenna Marie Cooper
Q: Why did God send Lucifer down to earth to live and rule amongst his beloved creations? (New Jersey) A: I don't think we can say that God truly sent the devil -- also known as Lucifer, or later as ...
