What exactly is emotional chastity and can men and women partake in close friendships? Over my life I have developed a lot of beautiful and fruitful friendships with men that have never become more than friendship nor have I ever intended them to, however, recently I was accused of breaking emotional chastity within these friendships. It’s a concept that I have never heard of before. I’ve asked around and it seems like something fairly controversial as some people don’t even believe in it. I know that God delights in all friendships, but perhaps friendships of the opposite sex need more boundaries?

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Dear Fr. Josh,

I am a 37 year old cradle Catholic from the Netherlands and the proud mom of a wonderful baby boy.

But this is also a very lonely journey. It is extremely difficult to find a practicing Catholic amongst my peers, my family and partner are not religious and a lot of people are downright hostile when they find out about my beliefs, or just think there is something wrong with me. This is very common in my country.

I listen to some podcasts and follow a couple of YouTube channels to fill that void, but it’s a poor substitute.

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Could you talk about how to navigate anticipatory grief from a Catholic perspective? My grandma’s health is declining. I’m coping with grieving the person she once was and the grief I know I will be experiencing in the future.

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Hey Fr. Josh,

Congrats on your podcast, thank you for your vocation and your ministry, my daughters and I listen to you every chance we get. I’m not if you have addressed this topic before. I’m a mother of 6 beautiful kids, ranging from 22 years old to 10 months. We attend Church every Sunday but choose not to attend holy hour due to our boys’ behavior who are seven and four. When we do go and try to instill in them good behavior and silence it becomes a struggle that we feel disturbs others and definitely distracts the rest of us. We’ve tried so many tactics to get them to behave, but nothing seems to work and I’m afraid they won’t know the beauty of having this opportunity to pray in the presence of Jesus exposed in the Blessed Sacrament, while they are still in their formative years. Should we continue to bring them each week, despite their behavior? How much should we Conner ourselves with how others around us feel versus Jesus saying bring the children to me despite of their reactions of those around him.

Thanks,

–Anonymous

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Hey Fr Josh, I love the podcast. It has helped me learn so much about my faith and grow greatly in it. I go to a holy hour every Tuesday and it’s an amazing thing sitting with Jesus christ in the eucharistic. But sometimes I find myself distracted or not fully there with Jesus and I don’t make a great holy hour. Sometimes there is music, other times I will either pray a rosary or litany or maybe read. Nothing stands out as what’s best for me. Do you have any advice on how I can make a better holy hour and become closer to Jesus in the eucharistic.

-Anonymous

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Why must we believe in the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist?

-Teresa

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Hi Father Josh! I was introduced to your podcast a few months ago and I love everything that you do! Your spontaneous singing makes me laugh out loud and your straightforward, digestible answers to Catholic questions have helped me grow very much in my faith. I apologize if this question has been asked before since I’ve only heard a few episodes, but it’s something that’s been a stumbling block for me in the past. I was wondering what the Church’s teaching is on God always having a male pronoun and being described/depicted as an (often old, white) man. I know it is very complicated and tied up with the human understanding of divinity, biblical phrasing, and so much more, but maybe you can clarify a bit on how God is always described as a man. I was also wondering if and how a Catholic should respond when people, jokingly or not, call God a woman or change His supposed gender in some way. Thanks so much and love the work you’re doing!

-Anonymous

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Naming Children

Hey Fr. Josh! I have so loved listening to your podcast and find so much fruit from it. I’m currently 6 months pregnant with my first baby and having grown up Southern Baptist and converting in college, Catholic Baptism is still a bit mysterious to me. As my husband and I prepare to Welcome our small human to the world and the Church, how should we discern their patron Saint? I have a few ideas, but since this is my first I’m honestly not sure. Her name will be Sarah Elizabeth, and while I know these are both Saints of the Bible, I’m not sure if either is the right name to baptize her with (or honestly what that truly means). I look forward to hearing from you every week! Keep blessing souls.

-Anonymous

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Hello Father Josh!

Let me start out by saying you are such an incredible blessing to so many! God has truly sent you to help those in need. You are so relatable, and it is wonderful and very encouraging. I will continue to pray for you and your family.

God Bless you.

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Welcome to Ask Fr. Josh - Summer Snippets! During the next few months, some of the most popular questions from the archives will be released as short snippets. Enjoy!

Question:

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