Prayer | Ask Fr Francis

6:7 empty phrases . . . many words: Jesus briefly considers the false religiosity of Gentiles. Pagans would recite long litanies of divine names to gain the attention of gods. This was meant to ensure that the deity was addressed properly. Jesus considers the practice empty—i.e., devoid of faith and of love for the deity.

First of all, there are many ways to obtain indulgence. Only a very selective group of indulgences are limited to particular days. Many of them can be applied every day.

The simplest list is the things that you encounter each day.

As christians we believe that we are made for eternal life, and our being is an “embodied” spiritual reality. Death therefore is not an obliteration of our reality, but a temporary separation from our corporeal reality, our corruptible body.

Ask Fr Francis

Tag: Prayer

Protestants like to ask Catholics why we pray ‘repetitious prayer’ like the Rosary and quote that Jesus said not to pray ‘vain repetitions’ in Matthew 6:7? How should we respond?

1.Why is Indulgence only granted by the Pope during certain occasions or feast days? 2.Why does the Pope have rights to grant indulgence? 3.Can I obtain Indulgence by doing all the requirements of Indulgence during ordinary days without being granted by the Pope?

You mentioned that we can offer each hour to God at the hour. Do you know where we can find a list of phrases we can use as intentions for the hour?

I read about your answer about prayers to saints. Who are the saints and why they can answers prayers?