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Tables of Contents for Catholic Questions, Wise Answers
Chapter/Section Title
Page #
Page Count
Introduction
1
3
Angels and Saints
Who is Saint Nicholas?
4
1
Who is Saint Bernard? What is the story behind the legendary lactation of Mary?
5
1
Who is Saint Cloud?
6
1
Is Genesius an appropriate baptismal name? How should a baptismal name be chosen?
6
1
Are archangels saints?
7
1
Who is Maria Francesca? Is she a patron saint for the sterile?
8
1
Are angels male or female?
9
1
Which saints are called to fight evil spirits?
10
1
Is there really a devil? If so, why does God permit him to exist?
10
1
When were angels created?
11
1
Do dead children become angels?
11
1
How are angels ranked?
12
1
Did Saint Rita murder her sons? How could a murderer be a saint?
13
1
Who are Saint Goar and Saint Olaf? Is Saint Olaf the patron saint of wood-carvers?
14
1
Are there any married saints? If not, why?
15
1
Who was Saint Josephine Bakhita? What does she have to do with Christian-Muslim dialogue?
16
1
Who is Saint John Neumann? Where are his remains?
17
1
Are there any patron saints for victims of rape or sexual abuse?
18
1
Who is Saint Philomena?
18
2
Who is Saint Charbel?
20
1
Does stigmata have anything to do with sainthood? Why does it manifest itself differently on different persons?
21
1
What is the true history of Saint Veronica and the veil?
22
1
How many saints are there?
22
1
Who is Blessed Imelda?
23
1
Is there a saint to help find a spouse?
23
1
What is a seraphic saint?
24
1
Who are the white martyrs?
25
1
Is there a saint named Cynthia?
25
1
Are there any saints for gamblers?
26
1
Who is Sister Faustina?
26
1
Is there a patron saint for emergency medical workers?
27
1
Is Pontius Pilate a saint?
28
1
Who was Saint Anthony of Egypt?
29
1
Who is Saint Mungo?
29
1
Are there any saints from the Old Testament?
30
1
Does use of the word legends discredit stories about the saints?
30
1
Who is Saint Christopher?
31
1
Who is Padre Pio?
32
1
What is the significance of wine and snakes in representations of John the Evangelist?
33
1
Is there a patron saint for lawyers?
33
1
Why is Saint Bridget often portrayed with an ox or cow?
34
1
Is the asceticism of saints penance or masochism?
35
2
How do people become saints?
37
5
Mary and Joseph
Are Marian apparitions real? Why do they occur?
42
1
Was Mary the real name of Jesus' mother?
43
1
What is the Black Madonna?
44
1
Why did Mary need purification?
44
1
Does the story of the finding in the Temple suggest that Mary and Joseph were careless parents?
45
1
Was Saint Joseph an older man? Was he Mary's age?
46
1
How long did Mary live? Did she have other children besides Jesus?
47
1
Are the Garabandal visions approved by the church?
47
2
Is Mary the Queen of Heaven written about in the book of Jeremiah? If not, who is?
49
1
Did Mary attend Mass after the resurrection? Did she continue going to the Jewish Temple?
49
1
Where did we get the Litany of the Blessed Virgin? What do all of those titles mean?
50
2
Is it more correct to use thee rather than you in the Hail Mary?
52
1
Did Mary and Joseph divorce?
52
1
Why do we know so little about the life of Mary?
53
1
Does Mary have a tomb?
54
1
Why do some statues show Mary stepping on a snake?
55
1
Does Matthew's Gospel support or challenge Mary's virginity?
56
1
Why doesn't Mary appear to Protestants?
57
1
What is the basis for honoring Mary as Queen of Heaven?
58
1
Why does the second sorrowful mystery mention of pillar?
58
1
How could Saint Joseph teach Jesus?
59
2
When did devotion to Mary begin?
61
2
How can a person determine what is private revelation and what is self-delusion?
63
1
What are the seven sorrows of Mary?
63
1
Did Mary experience the pangs of childbirth?
64
1
Can a church have more than one statute of the Blessed Mother?
64
1
What is meant when Mary is called Co-Redemptrix? Is this the teaching of the Church?
65
1
Why do we know so little about Saint Joseph?
66
1
What is the significance of the twelve stars on Mary's crown or around her head in pictures or on statues?
67
2
How do we know of Mary's parents, Anne and Joachim?
69
1
Who chose the mysteries of the rosary? Are others possible?
70
1
What is the hospital rossary?
71
1
How does the church square the rosary with the Gospel exhortation not to ``multiply words''?
71
1
What is the third ``secret'' of Fatima?
72
4
Catholic Beliefs and Practices
Why is there so much controversy in the church today?
76
2
What is the church's teaching on indulgences?
78
2
Can non-Chirstians go to heaven?
80
1
How can a person become a Catholic?
81
1
What is dogma and who determines it?
81
1
What is meant by Luke 10:16, when Jesus says, ``Whoever listens to you listens to me''?
82
1
Why doesn't the pope define his own moral and theological positions as infallible?
83
2
Is the ordinary magisterium infallible?
85
1
Where does the belief in original sin come from?
86
2
What is excommunication?
88
1
What is the Society of Saint Pius X?
89
1
What is the church's position on evolution?
90
1
Can a Catholic believe in karma and reincarnation?
91
1
How did Jesus exist before the Incarnation?
92
1
What is the church's teaching about the resurrected body?
92
1
Why do Catholics believe in immortality?
93
2
What happened to the good people who died before Jesus' Resurrection?
95
1
What do we mean by sola fide?
95
2
Does Pope John Paul II contradict Pius XI in his views on Catholicism as the one true faith?
97
2
What is a miracle?
99
1
Do Catholics still believe in purgatory?
100
2
What is the Purgatorial Society?
102
1
Can a Roman Catholic in good standing be a Mason?
103
1
Is the Knights of Columbus a secret society?
104
1
What is the canonical status of the religious group Opus Dei?
105
1
What are theologians?
106
1
Why must clergy and religious wear certain clothing?
107
2
Do priests wear skullcaps?
109
1
What is the significance of the ring that bishops and cardinals wear?
109
1
What is an Agnus Dei?
110
1
What is necessary for a church to become a basilica or shrine?
110
1
How does a church get its name?
111
2
How are bishops selected?
113
1
Why do Catholics eat fish on Friday?
114
1
What is the church's position concerning penance and abstinence during Lent and throughout the year?
115
1
What are the responsibilities of a parish council?
116
1
Is it mandatory to name children after saints?
117
1
Why do the holy days of obligation vary from place to place?
117
2
Do East and West agree on the dates for Christmas and Easter?
119
1
What determines the date of Easter or when Lent begins?
120
1
Why do we celebrate Christmas?
120
1
Is there a hierarchy in lay ministries?
121
1
How can a priest retire?
122
1
Who oversees the formation of priests?
123
1
Why are married ministers from other Christian denominations allowed to be ordanied, yet priests cannot marry?
124
1
What is Catholic feminism?
125
2
What is the history of the Infant of Prague?
127
1
Does a Communion service on Saturday fulfill the Sunday obligation?
127
1
Can a person spread the gospel without preaching?
128
1
What are the corporal and spiritual works of mercy?
129
1
What is tithing?
129
2
Does the church have a policy about filming movie scenes in churches?
131
3
Pastoral Puzzles
What fate awaits those who die outside the church?
134
1
Why does God allow people to suffer?
135
1
Can suffering be redemptive?
136
2
How can a good God allow evil?
138
1
What was the fate of Judas?
139
1
Why does God sometimes seem absent to those who pray?
139
1
What does it mean to be scrupulous?
140
2
Did Jesus know everything?
142
1
Does God have a memory?
143
2
Can God forgive someone who has had an abortion?
145
1
How does the Father beget the Son?
145
1
What promises does God make?
146
1
Did Jesus really think God had abandoned him on the cross?
147
1
Is this world the best God could make?
148
1
What is ``the dark night of the soul''? Does it cause people to abandon the sacraments or leave the church?
149
1
How can we get along with fundamentalists?
150
1
Should an abused wife forgive and forget her husband's abuse?
151
1
What happens to us when we die?
152
1
Should lapsed Catholics be encouraged to return to the church?
153
1
Do those in heaven see what is happening on earth?
154
1
Is it possible to be married in heaven?
154
1
Whom should we believe when theologians disagree?
155
2
Is it appropriate to say a Mass for a pet?
157
1
How can we get along with Jehovah's Witnesses?
158
2
Should a Catholic attend the wedding of a Catholic marrying outside the church with no dispensation?
160
1
Should people have thier children baptized though the parents no longer attend Mass?
161
1
How should we treat a wealthy person who shuns acts of charity?
162
1
What happens to those who commit suicide?
163
2
How should we treat children marrying outside the faith?
165
1
How should we deal with distractions at Mass?
165
2
What are the signs of the end of the world?
167
1
Will those living at the end have to die before entering heaven?
168
1
How should we treat a child's cohabitation outside of marriage?
169
1
Was John the Baptist born free from original sin?
170
1
How can we be happy in heaven without the things we love here on earth?
171
1
Who judges us at the end---Jesus or God the Father?
172
1
Are we made in God's image?
173
2
Why is it said that when Gregorian Masses have been celebrated on thirty consecutive days, the person goes right to heaven?
175
3
Did God create life on other planets?
178
2
Why is it forbidden to take Communion to a friend in a nursing home?
180
2
The Bible
When and where did the word Bible originate?
182
1
What does the church mean when it says the Bible is without error?
183
1
How can we be sure what the Bible means?
184
2
What is the difference between Catholic and Protestant Bibles?
186
2
Why have some of the names of the books in the Bible changed?
188
1
Have there been any advances made in scriptural scholarship?
189
2
Are there ``lost'' books of the Bible?
191
1
Does the church define the meaning of biblical texts?
192
1
When were Adam and Eve created?
193
1
Where is the Garden of Eden?
194
1
Why does Adam blame Eve for the sin in the Garden of Eden?
195
1
Where did Cain find a wife?
196
1
How could God ask Abraham to sacrifice Isaac?
197
1
What is God's name?
198
2
Why does God appear so cruel in the book of Exodus?
200
3
Why is ther so much violence in the Old Testament, when God forbade killing?
203
2
Who was Caleb?
205
1
Is the book of Job fact or fiction?
206
1
Why does the book of Sirach refer to wisdom as ``she''?
206
1
Who was Jael?
207
1
Did Samson commit suicide?
208
1
Why were lepers treated so harshly?
208
1
Did the Jewish revolt against Rome influence the writing of the Gospels?
209
1
What are the symbols of the four evangelists?
210
1
What does synoptic mean?
211
1
Why do the Gospel accounts differ on some details, such as the thieves crucified with Jesus?
211
1
Did Saint Paul write all the letters that bear his name?
212
2
Does Saint Paul talk about the rapture?
214
2
What did Saint Paul mean by saying, ``I do that which I do not wish''?
216
1
What was Saint Paul's ``thorn in the flesh''?
216
1
Can we know we are saved?
217
1
What does the phrase ``asleep in Christ'' mean?
217
1
Why do the Gospels trace Jesus' genealogy through Joseph rather than Mary?
218
1
How did Matthew know the temptations of Jesus?
219
1
Why does John's Gospel say that John the Baptist did not know Jesus?
220
2
What exception did Jesus allow for divorce?
222
1
Why did Jesus curse the fig tree?
223
2
Why did Jesus say not to call him good?
225
1
What did Jesus mean when he said he came to bring division?
225
2
What does ``poor in spirit'' mean?
227
2
Did Jesus take the Nazirite vow?
229
1
Why did Jesus speak harshly to the Canaanite woman?
229
1
Who was the beloved disciple?
230
2
Does mention of the beloved disciple mean that God loves some more than others?
232
1
Did Jesus see a value in friendship?
233
1
What does it mean to be born again?
234
1
How could anyone do works greater than Jesus?
235
1
Why did Jesus say that Mary has chosen ``the better part'' though Martha worked so hard to serve him?
236
1
What did Jesus mean when he said we must hate our father and mother?
237
1
Why must we become like children to inherit the kingdom?
238
1
What is the meaning of ``Son of Man,'' a title for Jesus?
239
1
Did Jesus know when the end was coming?
240
1
What was Jesus referring to when he mentioned the ``stumbling stone''?
241
2
Is it wrong to call priests ``Father?''
243
1
Was the Last Supper a Passover meal?
244
1
What do we know about Simon of Cyrene?
245
1
What does ``INRI'' mean?
246
1
Who were the thieves crucified with Jesus?
247
1
Why did Jesus not want Mary Magdalene to touch him but urged Thomas to do so?
247
1
What did Jesus mean when he said sins against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven?
248
1
What is the Gospel of Mark's ``awful horror''?
248
1
What does the Apostles' Creed mean when it says Jesus descended into hell?
249
1
Did Jesus rise or was he raised from the dead?
250
2
What is ``the great eschatological test''?
252
1
Where did Pentecost take place?
253
1
Who is the Antichrist?
254
1
Who are the book of Revelation's living creatures?
254
4
Liturgical Practices
Why should we go to church?
258
2
How much of the Mass must be attended to fulfill the Sunday obligation?
260
1
Is it acceptable to say the rosary during Mass?
261
1
May a eucharistic minister bless?
262
1
How were the readings picked for the three-year Mass cycle?
263
1
Can priests change the words for Mass and the sacraments?
264
1
What is the difference between Eastern rite and Roman Catholics?
265
2
Are lectors permitted to change the wording in the readings?
267
1
Why does the Nicene Creed lack inclusive language?
268
2
May the Gospel be recited from memory? Must we stand during the Gospel reading?
270
1
Why do we make the Sign of the Cross at the Gospel?
271
1
Why do we use incense?
272
1
May deacons preach?
273
1
What is an acolyte?
274
1
Why do people no longer bow their heads at the name of Jesus Christ at Mass and other times?
275
2
When should we genuflect?
277
1
Should one kneel to receive Communion?
277
1
What is the proper way to distribute Communion?
278
1
Why does the priest and/or deacon kiss the altar and Gospel book?
279
1
Must we kneel at Mass?
280
1
How does one prepare for Communion in the home?
281
1
What is the proper way to have a home blessed?
282
1
Is it acceptable to offer a small part of the host in Communion for the sick?
283
1
How often can one receive Communion?
284
1
Are chasubles, gold chalices and sitting in the chair necessary parts of the Mass?
284
1
What should one do when the chalice is spilled?
285
1
Can a eucharistic host be retained for home worship?
285
1
Where should the tabernacle be?
286
2
Can a priest say Mass alone?
288
1
May anyone other than an ordained priest celebrate Benediction?
288
1
Why do Catholics recite the creed every Sunday?
288
1
How long must one fast before receiving Communion?
289
1
What is the proper fast for Ash Wednesday and the Fridays of Lent?
290
1
What should be said when ashes are distributed on Ash Wednesday?
290
1
Are parishes supposed to veil both crosses and statues during Lent?
290
1
May a Catholic receive Communion at an Orthodox Mass?
291
1
Is the traditional Latin Mass still valid?
292
1
What is a Gregorian Mass?
293
1
Why do we receive palms on Palm Sunday?
294
1
Who should wash the parishioners' feet on Holy Thursday?
294
1
Can a baby be baptized during Lent?
295
1
Why do bishops wear miters?
295
1
Is ``Here Comes the Bride'' suitable music for a church wedding?
296
1
May a layperson give a eulogy at a funeral Mass?
297
1
What is the church's teaching regarding cremation?
298
1
Why are funeral Masses prohibited during Holy Week?
299
1
Why do modern churches have fewer statues?
300
1
Are flags allowed in churches?
301
3
Morality
Is it possible never to sin?
304
1
How can we be free to love God when we are commanded to do so?
305
1
How do we fulfill the commandments to love God and neighbor?
306
2
What is anact of perfect contrition or an act of perfect love?
308
1
Where does the saying about ``the sins of the fathers'' come from, and is there any truth to it?
308
2
What is the Heroic Act?
310
1
Is AIDS God's punishment for sin?
311
1
What was the sin of Sodom?
312
1
What is the church's moral position on sex-change operations?
313
2
Are images of Jesus and the saints idols?
315
1
How does the church distinguish between art and pornography?
316
2
Is it a mortal sin for an adult Catholic to see movies that are morally offensive?
318
1
Does the church approve of psychic consultations?
319
1
What is the origin of the seven capital sins?
320
1
Is it a sin to miss mass on Sunday?
321
2
What are we to consider as ``servile work'' on Sunday?
323
2
When and to what extent are violations of canon law sinful?
325
2
How common is mortal sin?
327
1
Are there serious sins that are not mortal sins?
328
2
Are diocesan parish priests required to take the vow of chastity?
330
1
Does the church permit homosexuals in the clergy?
331
1
Is it immoral to live with a person of the opposite sex?
332
1
Is it possible to be unfaithful in marriage in ways other than adultery?
333
1
What sexual acts are considered sinful in marriage?
334
1
Is masturbation sinful?
334
1
Is it wrong to pray for money?
335
1
Should parishes promote games of chance at their fund-raisers?
335
2
Should alcohol be permitted at church festivals and social affairs?
337
1
What is the church's position on capital punishment?
337
1
Is it sinful to resist extraordinary means of resuscitation?
338
4
Is it permissible to torture criminals or prisoners of war?
342
2
Is it a sin to mistreat animals?
344
1
What is a just war?
345
2
If taxes are used for an immoral purpose (such as abortion), should we stop paying?
347
1
If a baptized Catholic has an abortion, is she excommunicated from the church?
348
1
Is organ donation permissible?
349
3
Are Catholics exempt from jury duty?
352
1
Are Catholics obligated to support pro-life candidates?
353
1
What is the sin of contumely?
354
4
Sacraments
What is required in a baptism?
358
1
How soon should a baby be baptized?
359
1
Is baptism a license to sin?
360
1
How should godparents be chosen?
360
1
Is confirmation required?
361
3
At what moment does our Lord become present at Mass?
364
1
Is the Eucharist a symbol?
365
1
Does the Mass contradict the Bible?
366
2
When does Christ cease to be present after consecration?
368
1
Who consecrates the Eucharist?
369
1
Who is the minister of the Eucharist?
369
1
May women lead Communion services?
370
1
May vegetarians receive the Eucharist?
371
1
Should water be added to the wine before consecration?
371
1
Should both bread and wine be taken during Communion?
372
1
Is it possible to offer Communion to non-Catholics?
372
1
May the mentally disabled receive the sacraments?
373
2
Why must we go to confession?
375
2
Are communal penance services and general absolution allowed?
377
1
Has confession become outmoded?
378
3
What should we confess/
381
1
How can we go to confession and be forgiven when we know we will go out and do the same thing again?
382
1
How can we know the confessor is right?
383
2
Can a person go to confession too much?
385
1
Can one confess without any major sins?
385
1
When did marriage become a sacrament?
386
3
What is an ``internal forum solution''?
389
1
Does an annulment make children illegitimate?
390
1
Can a transsexual marry in the church?
391
1
Is marriage in the church possible for Siamese twins?
392
1
Is a man forever a priest once ordained?
392
1
Who can administer and receive the anoiting of the sick?
393
2
When should a priest be called in the event of a death?
395
1
How many times may a person receive the anointing of the sick?
395
2
What is the purpose of having the body at the funeral Mass?
397
3
Prayer
How should we pray?
400
2
Is it unrealistic to believe in physical healings?
402
1
What does it mean to make reparation to the hearts of Jesus and Mary?
403
1
What is the origin of healing Masses?
404
2
What is the prayer of self-dedication?
406
1
What is a Pardon Crucifix?
406
1
Does God hear our prayers?
407
2
Who wrote the peace prayer of Saint Francis?
409
1
Who are the dead we pray for at Mass?
409
1
What is necessary to pray the Way of the Cross?
410
1
When is Benediction appropriate?
411
1
What is the Jesus Prayer?
412
1
What is a charismatic?
413
2
What is the Morning Offering?
415
1
Is the Divine Office liturgy?
415
1
What is The Cloud of the Unknowing?
416
1
What is necessary for a novena?
417
1
Should Masses be said for the dead?
418
2
Why do we ask God not to lead us into temptation in the Our Father?
420
1
Why are devotions of the scapular, First Friday and First Saturday not now taught and practiced as they once were?
421
2
What is mysticism?
423
1
Are months and days still dedicated?
424
4
Church History
When did the Christian church officially begin to be called the Catholic church?
428
1
Who wrote the Apostles' Creed?
429
1
How old are the requirements for the Easter duty?
430
1
Who changed the Sabbath observance from Saturday to Sunday?
431
1
Is it true Martin Luther gave the world the question-answer catechism?
432
1
Why are today's descendants of Abraham, Issac and Jacob called Jews rather than Israelites?
433
1
Why does the priest dress the way he does at Mass?
434
1
How did we get the names of the wise men?
434
1
How did the tradition of ashes on Ash Wednesday get started?
435
2
Who established the liturgical season of Advent and when?
437
1
How long has the Feast of the Assumption been a holy day?
437
1
What is the papal tiara?
438
1
Where did the rosary come from?
438
1
When were kneelers introduced into worship?
439
1
Why does Texas have a city named for Saint Anthony?
440
1
Why did the Jews not accept Jesus?
441
1
Where did the brown scapular come from?
441
2
What is the difference between a Jew and a Gentile?
443
1
Have there been any bad or married popes?
443
2
How many nails were used at the crucifixion?
445
2
Where did we get the Sign of Peace?
447
1
Is the candy cane a religious symbol?
448
1
When did Latin become the official language of the church?
448
2
Why has the filioque been omitted from the creed?
450
2
What were the religions of Arabia before Mohammed?
452
1
Is it wrong to eat blood sausage?
453
2
Why have the creeds not been revised to include our belief in the eucharistic real presence?
455
1
Have there ever been married priests?
456
1
Have there ever been women deacons or priests?
457
2
Who presided at the Eucharist in early times?
459
2
What is necessary for a saint to be declared doctor of the church?
461
1
Are there any dogmas about ``the church militant''?
462
2
Was St. Patrick's Cathedral Archbishop Hughes's folly?
464
1
How did Saint Paul become a Roman citizen?
465
1
Have there ever been any Franciscan popes?
466
2
Where did we get the law of the fast?
468
2
What is the reason for no meat on Fridays during Lent?
470
3
Bibliography
473
14
Index
487
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