AMDG: A Jesuit Podcast

The cultivation of mission and identity is pivotal to any mission-driven organization. It gets to not only the why of the work, but also the larger context, the history and the people. A shared mission can sustain work across time zones and languages and varied socio-political contexts. Understanding the mission of an organization — how it's been interpreted and applied and lived out of — is crucial to that organization's continued success. It's more than a common language; it's a shared lifeblood. Jesuit institutions take mission and identity work seriously. You see offices for mission and Jesuit colleges and universities; you meet mission officers in Jesuit apostolates the world over. These are the folks who help you not only remember Latin words like cura personalis; these are the folks who help you understand how to live it out in your particular context based on your particular skills. Mark Dushel stands in the long, storied legacy of Ignatian collaborators entrusted with passing on our Jesuit mission and charism. But Mark has been given a unique role through which to do so. He is the newly minted director of Ignatian Mission and Faith Formation for three different yet interrelated schools in Baltimore, MD: Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, St. Ignatius Loyola Academy and The Loyola School. These schools — all founded by Jesuit priest, Fr. Bill Watters, over the course of several decades — allow children from as early as two years old all the way through high school to pursue a tuition-free Jesuit education. The mission is critical and has been bearing fruit for generations. Mark, for his part, comes to this work well-prepared. He has a Master's in theology and ministry from Boston College — where he first encountered the Jesuits — and served in campus ministry at St. Joseph's Preparatory School in Philadelphia and later at Loyola University Maryland. He began his work as director for mission in 2025. There's a lot we can learn from Mark's work, from his collaboration across schools to his efforts to introduce the Ignatian charism to children as young as two to the accompaniment his mission-centered role means for the families of his students. That's why today's host Eric was excited to talk with Mark — and why we know you will enjoy this conversation. Read more about Mark's work here: https://loyolaschoolbaltimore.org/mark-dushel-is-serving-three-jesuit-schools-in-baltimore/

Welcome to the third season — and the final episode — of our annual series “Pathway to Priesthood” — a special podcast series from the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. In these conversations, host Eric Clayton talks with Jesuits who are in the final days of preparing for ordination to the priesthood. They reflect back on their vocation stories and experience of Jesuit formation, and we wrestle with some of the biggest questions surrounding priestly ordination. On this episode, Eric talks with Shane Liesegang. Shane is a Jesuit of the US West province. Shane's Jesuit formation has brought him around the world including to Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan and Syria with the Jesuit Refugee Service, as well as to the Philippines where he was ordained a deacon. As you listen to Shane's stories and reflections, we invite you to consider whether you or someone you know might be interested in discerning a call to Jesuit life. If so, head over to beajesuit.org.

It's commencement season. Graduates are preparing to step into a new chapter of their lives, to leave familiar faces and places behind and chart a new path. And perhaps one of the most iconic moments of graduation is the commencement speech: a few moments of reflection, inspiration and encouragement before crossing one of life's many thresholds. Many of us have heard a commencement speech or two in our lives; many of us may have even heard such an address given at a Jesuit institution. But how many of us remember those addresses? More importantly, how many of us continue to live our lives informed by the best hopes and values and encouragement that such an address intends to convey? For many of us, as the daily grind of life churns ever onward, those words fade and are forgotten. That was the worry, at least, of our guests today. Two longtime veterans of Jesuit higher education, Patrick Furlong and Marissa Papula want us to remember what it means to go out and into the world intent in setting it aflame with the fire of the Holy Spirit. Patrick is the director of the Pam Rector Center for Service and Action at—and a two time alum of—Loyola Marymount University. Marissa Papula is now the director of development for Discerning Deacons but spent more than a decade in Jesuit higher education. And they're here today to offer all of us a commencement address of sorts. Before we get to it, before they share prepared remarks, we wanted to sit down and get to them a little bit, to hear about their journeys and why this time of year is important. So, you'll hear that first. Then, stay tuned for their full commencement address, words to inspire each of us no matter how far out from a graduation we may be.

Welcome to the third season of our annual series “Pathway to Priesthood”—a special podcast series from the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. In these conversations, host Eric Clayton talks with Jesuits who are in the final days of preparing for ordination to the priesthood. They reflect back on their vocation stories and experience of Jesuit formation, and wrestle with some of the biggest questions surrounding priestly ordination. On this episode, Eric talks with Daniel Mascarenhas. Daniel is a Jesuit of the US West province. Originally from Goa, India, Daniel's Jesuit formation has brought him to the L'Arche community in Tacoma, WA, to Jesuit High School Sacramento and to St. Columbkille Parish in Brighton, MA, where he is finishing his time as a deacon. As you listen to Daniel's stories and reflections, we invite you to consider whether you or someone you know might be interested in discerning a call to Jesuit life. If so, head over to beajesuit.org.

You might remember the Jesuits of Del Camino Jesuit Border Ministry. They have a podcast that we've aired episodes of on this very channel. Every week for ten seasons now, Fr. Brian Strassburger the director of the ministry, and Joe Nolla, a Jesuit regent, have been dropping us into their work, sharing with us stories from the US-Mexico border, helping us understand the nuances and lived reality of immigration policies and hosting an array of impressive guests who research, write about or work with immigrant communities. Well, today's a special episode: Joe Nolla is wrapping up regency and heading to Paris, France to begin theology studies—the next and final stage in Jesuit formation before ordination to the priesthood. So, Brian asked AMDG host Eric Clayton if he'd do a sort of exit interview for Joe as a bonus episode of the podcast. And now we're airing that episode here for you. It's a great conversation. Joe's reflections and experiences give insight into Jesuit formation, Jesuit ministry and the ongoing needs that Del Camino Jesuit Border Ministry is trying to meet in and around Brownsville, Texas. We hope you enjoy the conversation. If you want to learn more, visit delcamino.org.

Welcome to the third season of our annual series “Pathway to Priesthood”—a special podcast series from the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. In these conversations, host Eric Clayton talks with Jesuits who are in the final days of preparing for ordination to the priesthood. They reflect back on their vocation stories and experience of Jesuit formation, and wrestle with some of the biggest questions surrounding priestly ordination. On this episode, Eric talks with Jake Braithwaite. Jake is a Jesuit of the US East province. Originally from Villanova, PA, Jake's Jesuit formation has brought him to Brooklyn Jesuit Prep where he staged liturgical readings as short plays and slam poetry and to San Quentin Rehabilitation Center where he taught a class on the Old Testament prophets. As you listen to Jake's stories and reflections, we invite you to consider whether you or someone you know might be interested in discerning a call to Jesuit life. If so, head over to beajesuit.org.

Last summer, the Vatican hosted a big meeting of what it called “digital missionaries and Catholic influencers.” Host Mike Jordan Laskey admits he felt a little queasy when he saw this advertised. It's not that he's a Luddite and totally against the internet; we come to you via the internet every week. But there was something about the institutional church gathering and promoting influencers that just didn't sit well with Mike. To unpack this overall dis-ease with faith-based influencer culture, Mike called up a scholar who studies this exact topic. Dr. Kristin Peterson is an associate professor in the Department of Communication at Boston College, where she teaches courses related to the intersections of media and religion. She's also the author of a 2022 book titled “Unruly Souls: The Digital Activism of Muslim and Christian Feminists.” Mike asked her about the phenomenon of social media influencers in general and how religious folks have tapped into that trend. They also talked about some of the reasons behind the rise of influencers and what advice she might give to Pope Leo about the dangers and opportunities of encouraging Catholics to take their faith online. Kristin Peterson, Ph.D.: https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/schools/morrissey/departments/communication/people/faculty-directory/kristin-peterson.html AMDG is a production of the Jesuit Media Lab, which is a project of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. www.jesuits.org/ www.beajesuit.org/ twitter.com/jesuitnews facebook.com/Jesuits instagram.com/wearethejesuits youtube.com/societyofjesus www.jesuitmedialab.org/

Welcome to the third season of our annual series “Pathway to Priesthood”—a special podcast series from the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. In these conversations, host Eric Clayton talks with Jesuits who are in the final days of preparing for ordination to the priesthood this coming June. They reflect back on their vocation stories and experience of Jesuit formation, and wrestle with some of the biggest questions surrounding priestly ordination. On this episode, Eric talks Bryan Galligan and Dan Finucane. Dan is a Jesuit of the US Central Southern Province. His Jesuit formation has taken him on a weeklong pilgrimage to Rome for the Synod on Synodality, to Belize, where he accompanied prisoners and to St. Patrick's Church in West Oakland, California, as both a choir member and a deacon. Bryan is a Jesuit of the US East Province. His Jesuit formation has brought him to the border between the Dominican Republic and Haiti, small-scale farming and fishing communities in eastern and southern Africa and to the United Nations. As you listen to these stories and reflections from Bryan and Dan, we invite you to consider whether you or someone you know might be interested in discerning a call to Jesuit life. If so, head over to beajesuit.org.

What words would you use to describe the American healthcare system? Here are a few: Broken. In need of healing. Confusing. Centered on making money. Enormous. Stressful. But also: full of compassionate professionals. Full of potential. Our guest today would probably agree with these words. He might also add that our healthcare system is a privileged place to find God. The Jesuit priest Fr. Michael Rozier, SJ, is a scholar and professor of public health at Loyola University Chicago. He has a brand-new book out, which is titled “Growing Our Moral Imagination: Approaching Health Care with a New Faith-Based Vision.” It's published by the Johns Hopkins University Press. The book combines elements of memoir, theological reflection, storytelling and commentary on health care challenges. And perhaps the most interesting part of the volume is how in each chapter, Fr. Rozier reimagines one of Jesus' parables from the Gospels and applies it to healthcare issues today. This approach leads to chapters in the book with titles like “The Good Death of Lazarus,” “The Demons of Anxiety and Fear,” and the “Public Health Samaritan.” It's a fascinating read that host Mike Jordan Laskey can't wait to recommend to the Catholic healthcare professionals he knows. It's also a compelling read for anyone of faith who's ever interacted with the healthcare system at all, which means pretty much all of us. You'll love to hear Fr. Rozier's passion for public health and the healing ministry of Jesus throughout our wide-ranging conversation. Fr. Michael Rozier, SJ: https://www.luc.edu/parkinson/ourpeople/facultystaffprofiles/michaelroziersj.shtml “Growing Our Moral Imagination”: https://www.press.jhu.edu/books/title/54073/growing-our-moral-imagination AMDG is a production of the Jesuit Media Lab, which is a project of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. www.jesuits.org/ www.beajesuit.org/ twitter.com/jesuitnews facebook.com/Jesuits instagram.com/wearethejesuits youtube.com/societyofjesus www.jesuitmedialab.org/

Welcome to the third season of our annual series “Pathway to Priesthood”—a special podcast series from the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. In these conversations, host Eric Clayton talks with Jesuits who are in the final days of preparing for ordination to the priesthood. They reflect back on their vocation stories and experience of Jesuit formation and wrestle with some of the biggest questions surrounding priestly ordination. On this episode, Eric talks with Nathan Krawetzke. Nathan is a Jesuit of the Midwest province. Originally from Erie, Michigan, Nathan's Jesuit formation has brought him to the Red Cloud Indian School, to Hekima University in Nairobi, Kenya and on a variety of backpacking trips across the United States. As you listen to Nathan's stories and reflections, we invite you to consider whether you or someone you know might be interested in discerning a call to Jesuit life. If so, head over to beajesuit.org.

One of host Mike Jordan Laskey's favorite things to do is to discover that a writer or other creative person whose work he loves has a Jesuit connection that makes them eligible to be a guest here on the show. Today's guest is the music journalist Josh Terry, and he's the latest addition to our “surprise Jesuit connection” list. Josh writes the music and culture email newsletter “No Expectations,” which Mike looks forward to receiving in his inbox every Thursday. Based in Chicago, Josh listens to an extraordinary amount of new music and writes about it in a way that's perceptive, generous and a joy to read. It turns out Josh is a proud alum of Loyola University Chicago, and even more unexpectedly, it turns out his great uncle was Fr. Thomas Terry, SJ, a Jesuit priest who served as president of Santa Clara University from 1968 until 1976. Mike asked Josh about his career in music criticism and journalism and what he thinks the role of the music critic is. They also talked about reasons a lot of people just don't listen to much new music, and what Josh thinks of the common cultural narrative that music and other art forms just aren't being made as well now as they used to be. Finally, Josh recommended three of his favorite relatively new artists to you might want to check out yourself. Josh Terry's "No Expectations" newsletter: https://www.noexpectations.fyi/ AMDG is a production of the Jesuit Media Lab, which is a project of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. www.jesuits.org/ www.beajesuit.org/ twitter.com/jesuitnews facebook.com/Jesuits instagram.com/wearethejesuits youtube.com/societyofjesus www.jesuitmedialab.org/

There's an old Latin saying about some of the famous male founders of religious orders. In translation, it goes like this: “Bernard loved the valleys; Benedict loved the mountains; Francis the towns; Ignatius loved great cities.” So it's probably no surprise that in the U.S., no city has more Jesuit schools than New York, which has nine total across all the educational levels. Our guest today, James Kennedy, is an alum of one of these schools – Regis High School, where he also taught and led fundraising efforts – and the current president of another. James is in his third year leading Brooklyn Jesuit Prep, which is a middle school serving low-income families of diverse races, ethnicities and faiths in the East Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn. BJP currently serves 100 students, both boys and girls, in grades 5 through 8. The entire student population is composed of students of color and 74% of them are either immigrants or first-generation Americans. Host Mike Jordan Laskey asked James to talk about the school's history and what makes it a special place. James also discussed how anti-immigrant polices and attitudes across our country today are affecting the BJP community and how they're responding. It was a fascinating conversation about both Brooklyn Jesuit Prep and urban pre-secondary education more broadly. You'll be struck by James' passion and depth of insight. Brooklyn Jesuit Prep: https://www.brooklynjesuit.org/ AMDG is a production of the Jesuit Media Lab, which is a project of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. www.jesuits.org/ www.beajesuit.org/ twitter.com/jesuitnews facebook.com/Jesuits instagram.com/wearethejesuits youtube.com/societyofjesus www.jesuitmedialab.org/

J.R.R. Tolkien is considered by many to be the father of modern fantasy. The vast world he created in Middle-earth is full of elves and orcs, magic and mystery, lore and legend, and more than a few pieces of troublesome jewelry. In addition to “The Lord of the Rings,” “The Hobbit” and “The Silmarillion,” Tolkien left a trove of hand-drawn maps and scribbled notes and half-started plotlines that have enchanted both casual reader and literary scholar alike. It is well-known, too, that Tolkien was a serious Catholic; his faith inevitably affected his work. But unlike his contemporary, C.S. Lewis — the master and maker of other fantastical lands, most notably Narnia — Tolkien was loathe to thrust upon the reader his own allegorical message. He wanted readers to find their own way and their own meaning in his words. All to say, Tolkien was still a man of profound faith. His Catholic imagination was still very much alive and well as he peopled Middle-earth, as he wove in themes of hope and redemption and mercy. The reader is not forced to adhere to a Catholic worldview while engaging Tolkiens' writing; but for a Catholic — or Christian — with a desire to see it, there are spiritual insights to mine that can inform the workings of a Catholic life. That is what Kaitlyn Facista set out to do in her new book from Ave Maria Press, “Into the Heart of Middle-Earth: Exploring Faith and Fellowship in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.” And she's well equipped to do it — she's the founder of the online community Tea with Tolkien. She's our guest today. In our conversation — and in her book — Kaitlyn ferrets out key spiritual themes of Tolkien's life and work and offers them to us for our own reflection. If you're a fan of Tolkien, fantasy or just interested in applying a Catholic imagination to pop culture and literature, you're going to enjoy today's conversation. If you're interested in learning more about the book or Tea with Tolkien, check out the links below: Tea with Tolkien: https://www.teawithtolkien.com/ Get the book: https://www.avemariapress.com/products/into-the-heart-of-middle-earth?srsltid=AfmBOoqAaxWrmwgG-H2PdFx4yAQPaK7eevhX5A_lyuvESJ8EKhXyHUkJ

In December 2020, after the journalist Liz Bruenig witnessed an execution for the first time, she threw up on the pavement outside the federal prison in Terre Haute, Indiana. “The idea of execution promises catharsis,” she wrote in The New York Times after the experience. “The reality of it delivers the opposite, a nauseating sense of shame and regret.” That initial experience of witnessing the death of a man named Alfred Bourgeois led Liz to what has now become a yearslong journalistic project of covering capital punishment in America. Most of her writing on the subject has appeared in The Atlantic Magazine, where Liz is a staff writer. She was a finalist for the 2023 Pulitzer Prize in feature writing for this work. Host Mike Jordan Laskey has been a fan of Liz's work since the beginning of her career, and I was excited to ask her about her reporting and other topics she has covered for the magazine, which include vaccinations and the relationship between Pope Leo XIV and the US government. In addition to being a renowned journalist, Liz is an adult convert to Catholicism, which she recently wrote about in another Atlantic article. If you haven't come across her work before, this conversation will give you a good sense of the depth of her intellect and compassion. Liz Bruenig at the Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/author/elizabeth-bruenig/ Liz's essay about the first execution she witnessed: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/17/opinion/federal-executions-trump-alfred-bourgeois.html AMDG is a production of the Jesuit Media Lab, which is a project of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. www.jesuits.org/ www.beajesuit.org/ twitter.com/jesuitnews facebook.com/Jesuits instagram.com/wearethejesuits youtube.com/societyofjesus www.jesuitmedialab.org/

Here's a fun lawyer joke: Why does New Jersey have so many toxic waste dumps and Washington, DC have so many lawyers? Because New Jersey got the first pick. The stereotype about dishonest, soulless, ambulance-chasing lawyers who put their own wallets ahead of the needs of their clients might have some basis in reality. But the legal profession can be a great way to promote justice and work for the common good. This episode's guest is one of these sorts of lawyers who has dedicated his whole career to making the world a more just place. Kevin Walsh is the former acting state comptroller for the state of New Jersey. In that role, to which he was appointed by Governor Phil Murphy, Kevin's job was to lead a team that investigated fraud and abuse within government systems and government-funded programs. Before that job, Kevin led a public interest nonprofit that fought for the construction of more affordable housing in the state. And while doing that job, he was one of the lawyers who spearheaded the successful movement to get rid of the death penalty in New Jersey. Kevin's Jesuit connection is that he is a proud alumnus of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. After his first year of law school, he took a year off to serve with JVC in Richmond, Virginia, where he worked as a volunteer with legal aid. His experience that year set him on his path of using a legal career for public service, work he's now been at for more than a quarter century. Host Mike Jordan Laskey first met Kevin when Mike worked for the Diocese of Camden in southern New Jersey, where Kevin served on the board of the local Catholic Charities agency and on a bunch of other committees. And as Kevin just finished his term working as a state government watchdog, Mike wanted to ask him about the experience and if fraud and corruption in government are as bad as they sometimes seem. Mike also asked him to reflect on the other good fights he's been part of as an attorney. Kevin's doggedness and total commitment to using the law for the public interest are hugely inspiring, and we think you'll notice his passion and energy come through clearly throughout the interview. More about Kevin Walsh: https://www.politico.com/news/2024/10/12/kevin-walsh-new-jersey-political-class-00181187 AMDG is a production of the Jesuit Media Lab, which is a project of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. www.jesuits.org/ www.beajesuit.org/ twitter.com/jesuitnews facebook.com/Jesuits instagram.com/wearethejesuits youtube.com/societyofjesus www.jesuitmedialab.org/

A conversation that begins with Girl Scout Cookies and sweet cereal slowly finds its way to something deeper: what home really means. Father Damian and Father Eric reflect on hometowns, family houses, Jesuit communities and the places that shaped them,, while wondering how those places still live in them. Somewhere between nostalgia, laughter and prayer, this episode asks a tender question: Where is the place, or who is the presence, that lets you breathe differently and be fully at rest? About the show: Two Jesuits Talking is a Catholic podcast hosted by Fr. Eric Immel, SJ, and Fr. Damian Torres-Botello, SJ. Through candid, unscripted conversations, they explore Ignatian spirituality, Catholic life, ministry, culture, prayer and the everyday questions that shape modern faith. This isn't a lecture. It's not a debate show. It's two Jesuit priests talking honestly about what it means to follow Jesus today, with humor, depth and real friendship. Whether you're a practicing Catholic, spiritually curious, returning to the Church, or just interested in authentic conversations about faith, you're welcome here. During Lent, Two Jesuits Talking episodes will appear here on the AMDG feed every Saturday. After Easter, we'll move the show onto its own dedicated feed. You can also watch episodes of the show on YouTube: www.youtube.com/societyofjesus Two Jesuits Talking is a production of the Jesuit Media Lab, which is a project of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. Learn more: jesuitmedialab.org/

This is the second episode in our little two-part miniseries featuring Catholic scientists. Be sure to check out last week's conversation with Deacon Matthew Pinson, SJ, who has a Ph.D. in theoretical physics from MIT. Today's guest is Dr. Michelle Francl, a professor of chemistry at Bryn Mawr College outside Philadelphia. In addition to being one of the 1000 most-cited chemists in academic literature, Michelle writes about both science and faith for a broad audience. She also serves as an adjunct scholar at the Vatican Observatory, where she has worked with Jesuit astronomers like Brother Guy Consolmagno. (She actually worked with Br. Guy on an audio book series highlighting various Catholic scientists through the ages: https://www.audible.com/pd/Great-Catholic-Scientists-Discoveries-and-Lives-of-Faith-Audiobook/1632517213?srsltid=AfmBOopuQZ9bq8EJ-PDGWMewb2E1OwaNfACWNbBphFE5blNnOUuWp7up) Host Mike Jordan Laskey asked Michelle about how faith and science go together for her and how she responds to popular arguments about how faith and science are totally incompatible. Mike also asked her about wonder and awe in science, and they talked a bit about the book she wrote on the chemistry of brewing tea. You'll learn once and for all on this episode if those fancy pyramid-shaped tea bags are worth it. We're sure you'll love Michelle's perspective and depth of insight. Dr. Michelle Francl: https://www.brynmawr.edu/inside/people/michelle-francl Michelle's spirituality writing: https://www.michellefrancldonnay.com/ "Steeped: The Chemistry of Tea": https://www.amazon.com/Steeped-Chemistry-Tea-Michelle-Francl/dp/183916591X

Lent has a way of bringing the word "sacrifice" to the surface, and we're not just talking about giving up chocolate. Father Damian and Father Eric share stories about family, adoption, commitment and the quiet ways love asks something of us over time. From the Eucharist to everyday relationships, this conversation leans into a simple truth: Real love always costs something, and that's precisely what makes it sacred. About the show: Two Jesuits Talking is a Catholic podcast hosted by Fr. Eric Immel, SJ, and Fr. Damian Torres-Botello, SJ. Through candid, unscripted conversations, they explore Ignatian spirituality, Catholic life, ministry, culture, prayer and the everyday questions that shape modern faith. This isn't a lecture. It's not a debate show. It's two Jesuit priests talking honestly about what it means to follow Jesus today, with humor, depth and real friendship. Whether you're a practicing Catholic, spiritually curious, returning to the Church, or just interested in authentic conversations about faith, you're welcome here. During Lent, Two Jesuits Talking episodes will appear here on the AMDG feed every Saturday. After Easter, we'll move the show onto its own dedicated feed. You can also watch episodes of the show on YouTube: www.youtube.com/societyofjesus Two Jesuits Talking is a production of the Jesuit Media Lab, which is a project of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. Learn more: jesuitmedialab.org/

With this episode, we're starting a two-week miniseries featuring Catholic scientists. Today, our guest is with Deacon Matthew Pinson, SJ. Matthew is studying theology at Boston College as part of his Jesuit formation, but it's the not the first time he has gone to school in the greater Boston area. Matthew has a Ph.D. in theoretical physics from MIT, which he earned before entering the Society of Jesus. Originally from Australia and a member of the Australian province of the Jesuits, host Mike Jordan Laskey asked Matthew to share a bit about his life journey and how faith and science live in harmony for him. And be sure to tune in next week for Mike's conversation with a Catholic chemist who told him something about water he'll be telling everyone in his life over the next month. More about Matthew Pinson: https://melbournecatholic.org/news/star-struck-matthew-pinson-sj-on-how-science-and-wonder-can-deepen-our-faith AMDG is a production of the Jesuit Media Lab, which is a project of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. www.jesuits.org/ www.beajesuit.org/ twitter.com/jesuitnews facebook.com/Jesuits instagram.com/wearethejesuits youtube.com/societyofjesus www.jesuitmedialab.org/

Gymnastics. Theater. Sacraments. Muscle memory. Fathers Eric and Damian talk about the body, not as something separate from faith, but as the place where faith actually happens. Movement, gesture, breath, touch: Our bodies preach, pray and remember. Grace isn't abstract. It's embodied. About the show: Two Jesuits Talking is a Catholic podcast hosted by Fr. Eric Immel, SJ, and Fr. Damian Torres-Botello, SJ. Through candid, unscripted conversations, they explore Ignatian spirituality, Catholic life, ministry, culture, prayer and the everyday questions that shape modern faith. This isn't a lecture. It's not a debate show. It's two Jesuit priests talking honestly about what it means to follow Jesus today, with humor, depth and real friendship. Whether you're a practicing Catholic, spiritually curious, returning to the Church, or just interested in authentic conversations about faith, you're welcome here. During Lent, Two Jesuits Talking episodes will appear here on the AMDG feed every Saturday. After Easter, we'll move the show onto its own dedicated feed. You can also watch episodes of the show on YouTube: www.youtube.com/societyofjesus Two Jesuits Talking is a production of the Jesuit Media Lab, which is a project of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. Learn more: jesuitmedialab.org/

There is a new book out from Ave Maria Press. It's called “A Book of Everyday Blessings”—and today's host, Eric Clayton, was eager to get his hands on it. He knew this would be one of those books to reach for time and again to begin a meeting, to ground a retreat, to start moments of personal prayer. It's just full of beautiful, nuanced and poignant blessings for every moment of life. Eric was so excited about it that he wanted to learn more about the author, Christine Valters Paintner. In his research, he discovered that she is the online abbess for the Abbey of the Arts. He poked around the website, abbeyofthearts.com, and found in so many ways the workings of a kindred spirit. Here was someone—a whole community of someones—who cared deeply about the intersection of creativity and spirituality. But where we at the Jesuit Media Lab approach these questions through the lens of the Ignatian tradition, the Abbey of the Arts and its abbess, Christine Paintner, approach these questions and the journey they beget through the monastic tradition. Eric knew he had to talk to her. And in reaching out, he came to learn that—not only is she Jesuit educated, with degrees from Fordham and Santa Clara, among many other credentials—but she has written a library worth of books including, “The Artist's Rule: Nurturing Your Creative Soul with Monastic Wisdom.” They had a really delightful conversation. For those of you who—like all of us at the Jesuit Media Lab—live at this intersection of creativity and spirituality, we believe you'll find the integration of another spiritual tradition helpful. Abbey of the Arts: https://abbeyofthearts.com/ A Book of Everyday Blessings: https://www.avemariapress.com/products/a-book-of-everyday-blessings The Artist's Rule: https://www.avemariapress.com/products/The-Artists-Rule

Friendship is not accidental in Jesuit life; it's foundational. Fr. Eric and Fr. Damian reflect on trust, vulnerability and the risk of being known, and how real friendship shapes ministry and discipleship. Grounded in Jesus' own invitation to friendship, this conversation explores how human relationships can quietly mirror divine love. About the show: Two Jesuits Talking is a Catholic podcast hosted by Fr. Eric Immel, SJ, and Fr. Damian Torres-Botello, SJ. Through candid, unscripted conversations, they explore Ignatian spirituality, Catholic life, ministry, culture, prayer and the everyday questions that shape modern faith. This isn't a lecture. It's not a debate show. It's two Jesuit priests talking honestly about what it means to follow Jesus today, with humor, depth and real friendship. Whether you're a practicing Catholic, spiritually curious, returning to the Church, or just interested in authentic conversations about faith, you're welcome here. During Lent, Two Jesuits Talking episodes will appear here on the AMDG feed every Saturday. After Easter, we'll move the show onto its own dedicated feed. You can also watch episodes of the show on YouTube: www.youtube.com/societyofjesus Two Jesuits Talking is a production of the Jesuit Media Lab, which is a project of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. Learn more: jesuitmedialab.org/

With more than 120 Jesuit high schools and universities in the US and Canada, it's no surprise education is what the Society of Jesus is best known for in our part of the world. And listeners to AMDG might be familiar with newer educational initiatives that have Jesuit roots, like the Cristo Rey Network of high schools or MiguelNativity presecondary schools or the relatively new handful of two-year colleges growing out of Jesuit universities. These last three initiatives were designed to serve students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. If you head to Central and South America, you'll find yet another innovative Jesuit-rooted approach to education that has been growing and transforming lives for more than 70 years: Fe y Alegría, which is Spanish for Faith and Joy, is an international education movement that was founded in Caracas, Venezuela in 1955 by a Jesuit named Fr. José María Vélaz. Today, the network is working in more than 20 countries in Latin America, Africa and Europe, and its mission is to provide quality education to people living in poverty and on the margins. Fe y Alegría serves well over a million students through schools, vocational training programs, and community education initiatives, all rooted in a commitment to human dignity. Fr. Marco Gómez, SJ, is the national director of Fe y Alegria in Panama. He joined host Mike Jordan Laskey for an interview during a recent speaking tour of the United States. Fr. Marco talked about his background and the important work Fe y Alegría is doing in Panama, where it is serving young people who are facing extremely difficult living situations. As American foreign and domestic policy decisions can have an impact on the lives of our neighbors here in this hemisphere, especially those who are already struggling with poverty and violence, we hope you'll find it both enlightening and challenging to hear Fr. Marco's perspective from his vantage point in Central America. And we hope you'll learn that Fe y Alegría movement is doing work all Jesuits and Catholics should be proud of, no matter where you live in the world. Fe y Alegría: https://www.feyalegria.org/en/home-fya-international/ AMDG is a production of the Jesuit Media Lab, which is a project of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. www.jesuits.org/ www.beajesuit.org/ twitter.com/jesuitnews facebook.com/Jesuits instagram.com/wearethejesuits youtube.com/societyofjesus www.jesuitmedialab.org/

Every life has a soundtrack. Fathers Eric and Damian swap stories about the music that formed them, the songs that carried faith, doubt, longing and joy. Along the way, they wrestle with sacred versus secular, passive listening versus real attention, and why music so often becomes prayer before we even realize it. About the show: Two Jesuits Talking is a Catholic podcast hosted by Fr. Eric Immel, SJ, and Fr. Damian Torres-Botello, SJ. Through candid, unscripted conversations, they explore Ignatian spirituality, Catholic life, ministry, culture, prayer and the everyday questions that shape modern faith. This isn't a lecture. It's not a debate show. It's two Jesuit priests talking honestly about what it means to follow Jesus today, with humor, depth and real friendship. Whether you're a practicing Catholic, spiritually curious, returning to the Church, or just interested in authentic conversations about faith, you're welcome here. During Lent, Two Jesuits Talking episodes will appear here on the AMDG feed every Saturday. After Easter, we'll move the show onto its own dedicated feed. You can also watch episodes of the show on YouTube: www.youtube.com/societyofjesus Two Jesuits Talking is a production of the Jesuit Media Lab, which is a project of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. Learn more: https://jesuitmedialab.org/

There's a stereotype out there that Catholics don't know much if anything about the Bible. If you have a question about a specific book or verse from Scripture, better to ask a Protestant. Why is this a stereotype? And is it a fair one? Or do those of us who are Catholics perhaps know more about the Bible than we think we do? These are some of the questions at the heart of Michael Peppard's book “How Catholics Encounter the Bible,” which was published in 2024 by Oxford University Press. Michael is a professor of theology at Fordham University, and this book is a true joy to read – host Mike Jordan Laskey learned something on almost every pgae. It's scholarly but also incredibly readable for non-experts. In this wide-ranging conversation, Michael and Mike talked about the lectionary, early Christian sculpture, Bruce Springsteen and so much more. To go along with the episode, we're running an excerpt of the book about the Biblical imagination found in the rosary and in St. Ignatius' Spiritual Exercises up at Jesuits.org. So after you listen, head to https://www.jesuits.org/stories/what-the-rosary-and-st-ignatius-spiritual-exercises-have-in-common/ to read the excerpt. Dr. Michael Peppard: https://www.profpeppard.com/ “How Catholics Encounter the Bible”: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/how-catholics-encounter-the-bible-9780190948696?cc=us&lang=en&# AMDG is a production of the Jesuit Media Lab, which is a project of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. www.jesuits.org/ www.beajesuit.org/ twitter.com/jesuitnews facebook.com/Jesuits instagram.com/wearethejesuits youtube.com/societyofjesus www.jesuitmedialab.org/

Two Jesuits. Real life. Real faith. Today's episode: Nighttime! There's something about nighttime that loosens the soul. In the quiet, defenses drop, memories surface and prayer shifts. Fr. Eric and Fr. Damian talk honestly about being night owls, about what darkness reveals, and about how surrender often happens when everything else goes still. The night isn't empty, it's inhabited. About the show: Two Jesuits Talking is a Catholic podcast hosted by Fr. Eric Immel, SJ, and Fr. Damian Torres-Botello, SJ. Through candid, unscripted conversations, they explore Ignatian spirituality, Catholic life, ministry, culture, prayer and the everyday questions that shape modern faith. This isn't a lecture. It's not a debate show. It's two Jesuit priests talking honestly about what it means to follow Jesus today, with humor, depth and real friendship. Whether you're a practicing Catholic, spiritually curious, returning to the Church, or just interested in authentic conversations about faith, you're welcome here. During Lent, Two Jesuits Talking episodes will appear here on the AMDG feed every Saturday. After Easter, we'll move the show onto its own dedicated feed. You can also watch episodes of the show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/societyofjesus

In the life of a Catholic, there are set times when we pray for and with the Pope. At Mass, during the prayers of the faithful, for example. There's that one bead on the rosary where we say an Our Father for the pope's intentions. There are feast days when we are called to hold the pope in prayer in a special way. But often, these calls to prayer can feel rote, distant, hasty. What if there's another way to pray with the pope? What if you could know exactly what the pope's prayer intention was for any given month? What if this invitation to prayer was one of depth, intimacy and an ongoing encounter with Christ? You may be familiar with the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network. You may even know it by an older name: the Apostleship of Prayer. Under Pope Francis, this Jesuit apostolate took on a renewed mission, becoming a Pontifical Work — still entrusted to the Society of Jesus — and shared ever more widely through digital media and the pope videos. Now, under Pope Leo, the work continues. As you'll hear from today's guest, Fr. Cristóbal Fones, a Chilean Jesuit who now serves as the international director, Pope Leo is excited and eager to get the word out about this unique network of prayer. This isn't just about reciting Our Fathers and Hail Marys — though that's important. This is about uniting our hearts to the suffering Christ so present in our world. This is about practicing a spirituality that is concerned for those who are suffering by lifting up and naming specific instances of need around the world. Fr. Cristóbal was a great guest; we had a really engaging conversation not only about the Pope's Worldwide Network, but about the nature of prayer and the hopes of this American pope. Learn more about the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network by visiting the global site: popesprayer.va. And the North American site: popesprayerusa.net.

Here's an exciting announcement: We here at the Jesuit Media Lab have a brand-new podcast we're producing. It's called Two Jesuits Talking. (As you can tell, we are not trying to be subtle with the show title.) The two Jesuits in question are Father Damian Torres-Botello and Father Eric Immel, both priests from the USA Midwest province who are also close friends. We're working with Damian and Eric to make a conversation-based show about spirituality and faith that doesn't take itself too seriously. We're aiming for deep and funny, human and surprising, warm and accessible. And we're also hoping that two Jesuit friends sharing stories and reflections with each other in this sort of laid-back forum will be a way to pull back the curtain on Jesuit life a little bit, helping all of us who aren't Jesuits learn more about their life of faith and service. Each Saturday in Lent, we'll bring you a new episode of Two Jesuits Talking right here on the AMDG feed. Today, we have the first-ever episode for you. Our regular AMDG episodes will continue to drop on Wednesdays. Also, if you want to watch Fathers Damian and Eric instead of just listening to them, Two Jesuits Talking is a video podcast, and you can find it on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXxQTtosZfI&t=1s After Easter, our plan is to move Two Jesuits Talking over onto its own audio feed, but you don't have to worry about that for now. We'll let you know when that happens and where to find it. In the meantime, during Lent, enjoy getting to know Fr. Eric and Fr. Damian a little bit, and I think you'll find out quickly why they're two of our favorite Jesuits around. AMDG is a production of the Jesuit Media Lab, which is a project of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. www.jesuits.org/ www.beajesuit.org/ twitter.com/jesuitnews facebook.com/Jesuits instagram.com/wearethejesuits youtube.com/societyofjesus www.jesuitmedialab.org/

Cameron Bellm, a writer who works at the intersections of creativity, spirituality, mysticism and activism, is the editor of our Jesuit Media Lab Lenten email series: "In Praise Of: Daily Lenten Letters of Recommendation for the Spiritual Life." In the series, more than 30 writers fix their attention on where they have found God at work in their lives, often in small, everyday places and moments: the library, the act of making pesto, a gifted knife, a fireplace and dozens more. Each essay is accompanied by an original piece of art painted by either Allison Beyer or Erin Buckley, two of our multi-talented community members. In this episode kicking off the Lenten season, Cameron joined hosts Mike Jordan Laskey and Eric Clayton to discuss the project and why focusing on the quality of our attention this Lent, seeking God laboring in our lives and in the world, might be a suitable way to approach the liturgical season. Then all three podcasters discussed how their views of Lent have evolved over the years and the important human truths the season reveals. You can get "In Praise Of" in your inbox every weekday in Lent by subscribing for free here: https://mailchi.mp/jesuits/in-praise-of Cameron Bellm: https://www.cameronbellm.com/ AMDG is a production of the Jesuit Media Lab, which is a project of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. www.jesuits.org/ www.beajesuit.org/ twitter.com/jesuitnews facebook.com/Jesuits instagram.com/wearethejesuits youtube.com/societyofjesus www.jesuitmedialab.org/

From the earliest years of the Society of Jesus almost 500 years ago, Jesuits have been involved in the performing arts. Fr. Michael Zampelli, SJ, today's guest, is a leading scholar on the history of Jesuit performance. Fr. Zampelli teaches theatre history at Fordham University, where he also directs a master's program in philosophy and society that Jesuit scholastics take in a period of their formation called first studies. Before arriving at Fordham in 2020, Fr. Zampelli taught and directed theatre at Santa Clara University for 22 years. Host Mike Jordan Laskey asked Fr. Zampelli to give us a historical overview of Jesuit performance and why the very first Jesuits were so committed to bringing drama and performance into the schools they established. They raced through history and talked about the evolutions of Jesuit performance after the global suppression of Society of Jesus ended in 1814. It was a fascinating conversation and Fr. Zampelli is truly an ideal guide through this part of the Jesuit charism and tradition. Fr. Michael Zampelli, SJ: https://www.fordham.edu/academics/departments/theatre/faculty/full-time-faculty/michael-a-zampelli-sj/ A nice collection of resources on the history of Jesuit performance: https://libguides.scu.edu/c.php?g=1428569&p=10599707 AMDG is a production of the Jesuit Media Lab, which is a project of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. www.jesuits.org/ www.beajesuit.org/ twitter.com/jesuitnews facebook.com/Jesuits instagram.com/wearethejesuits youtube.com/societyofjesus www.jesuitmedialab.org/

Today's guest is no stranger to the AMDG podcast. Fr. James Martin is a Jesuit priest and editor-at-large at America Media. His newest book, “Work in Progress: Confessions of a Busboy, Dishwasher, Caddy, Usher, Factory Worker, Bank Teller, Corporate Tool and Priest” is now available. In it, Fr. Martin details his own experience of summer jobs — how they shaped him, what they taught him, who crossed his path as a result of them and how he found God dwelling within them. It's a memoir that is both funny and poignant, and it's a wonderful invitation for each of us to reflect more deeply upon our own lives. You can get Fr. Martin's new book wherever books are sold, and you can read an excerpt over at America Magazine: https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2026/01/15/james-martin-lessons-from-mowing-lawns-riding-bikes-and-a-fateful-walk-to-school/ https://www.harpercollins.com/pages/jamesmartin

As Catholics formed in the Ignatian tradition, we are called to welcome the stranger, to care for our neighbor and to respect one another as we answer our inherent call to live in community. Nowhere is this more needed today than the streets of Minnesota. So, to better help us understand both what is happening in Minnesota and how the Gospel calls us to respond, we called Fr. R.J. Fichtinger, SJ, who is the pastor of St. Thomas More Catholic Community, the Jesuit parish in the Twin Cities. Fr. Fichtinger offers a number of resources for our discernment. Check out these links: • Learn about and support the work of St. Thomas More Catholic Community: https://www.morecommunity.org/ • Read Archbishop Hebda's op-ed in the Wall Street Journal: https://www.wsj.com/opinion/free-expression/we-need-comprehensive-immigration-reform-now-88791d35 • Read more about Fr. Fichtinger in this America Magazine article: https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/dispatches/2026/01/26/minneapolis-pastors-alex-pretti-ice-killing/ • Subscribe to the Jesuit Border Podcast to learn more about how Jesuits are accompanying migrants: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-jesuit-border-podcast/id1593208023

You might have read or thought about how the rise of artificial intelligence is affecting the economy or higher education or medicine or pretty much any other area of life. Our guest today has been focusing on an intersection you might not have thought about yet. Father Phil Ganir has been spending time recently writing and teaching about AI's impact on liturgy and sacred music. An assistant professor of religious education at Boston College's Clough School of Theology and Ministry, Fr. Phil focuses on liturgical theology and music among other subject areas. He's also one of the very best singers you could ever hear. Host Mike Jordan Laskey was excited to welcome Fr. Phil onto the show to reflect on how artificial intelligence is already affecting the prayer and worship of the church, and how its impact could continue to grow. They also talked about what liturgy and sacred music claim and reveal about the nature of the human person, and how there are some human activities that computers will never be able to replace or take away. It was a fascinating conversation with a fabulous scholar and practitioner who is responding to Pope Leo's call to wrestle with big questions about technology and humanity facing all of us today. Fr. Phil Ganir, SJ: https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/schools/stm/faculty/faculty-directory/phillip-ganir.html An article on a recent talk by Fr. Phil: https://www.thebostonpilot.com/article.php?ID=201316 AMDG is a production of the Jesuit Media Lab, which is a project of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. www.jesuits.org/ www.beajesuit.org/ twitter.com/jesuitnews facebook.com/Jesuits instagram.com/wearethejesuits youtube.com/societyofjesus www.jesuitmedialab.org/

Last year, Pope Leo XIV published an apostolic letter called “Drawing New Maps of Hope.” (This is not to be confused with his apostolic exhortation on poverty called “Dilexi te.” There are lots of types of papal writings and it's tough to keep them all straight.) Anyway, “Drawing New Maps of Hope” was all about Catholic education, and the letter itself was released to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Vatican II declaration on education called “Gravissimum educationis.” It seemed like a good time to talk to an expert on primary and secondary Catholic education and find out how things are going in today's environment. How do Catholic schools stand out in a crowded marketplace? How do we keep energy going even when some Catholic schools especially in the northeast and the Midwest have been forced to merge or close? So host Mike Jordan Laskey got his old college friend Dr. Michael O'Connor on the line, who serves as Program Director of Outreach and Professional Development at Boston College's Roche Center for Catholic Education. That essentially means Michael spends most of his time working with faculty and administration at partner Catholic schools and dioceses around the country, helping them live their mission even more deeply. Anyone interested in the present and future of Catholic education in the U.S. will enjoy hearing Michael's reaction to the new letter from Pope Leo and how Catholic schools are responding to our challenging times with creativity and boldness. Pope Leo XIV's “Drawing New Maps of Hope” apostolic letter: https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/apost_letters/documents/20251027-disegnare-nuove-mappe.html Learn more about Michael O'Connor, Ph.D., on the Roche Center staff page: https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/schools/lynch-school/sites/roche/About/Bios.html Roche Center for Catholic Education: https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/schools/lynch-school/sites/roche.html AMDG is a production of the Jesuit Media Lab, which is a project of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. www.jesuits.org/ www.beajesuit.org/ twitter.com/jesuitnews facebook.com/Jesuits instagram.com/wearethejesuits youtube.com/societyofjesus www.jesuitmedialab.org/

Last May, America Magazine ran an article entitled “Dungeons & Dragons—and Jesuits” by Robert Buckland, a Jesuit in formation. Buckland admits to being a longtime fan of D&D, but even he is surprised by how popular the game has become — and in the most surprising of places. Buckland describes how this role-playing game that was once shunned by religious communities is now aiding in the imaginative and moral formation of young men in religious life. “Playing D&D,” Buckland writes, “can reveal dimensions of character that might otherwise remain hidden in the structured environment of houses for religious formation.” Today's host, Eric Clayton, was enchanted by this argument; Buckland's essay has stayed with him for these many months since. And it's perhaps thanks to Buckland's writing that he then encountered today's guest: Dr. Susan Haarman. Dr. Haarman is the associate director at Loyola University Chicago's Center for Engaged Learning, Teaching and Scholarship. In that role, she facilitates the university's service-learning program and publishes on community-based learning. But her real love is the research she conducts into the capacity of tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons as formative tools for civic identity and imagination. Most important for today's conversation, Susan wrote a chapter entitled “Roll for Discernment: Dungeon Master as St. Ignatius' Spiritual Director” in the 2025 book “Theology, Religion and Dungeons and Dragons: Explorations of the Sacred through Fantasy Worlds.” Susan will be a panelist at an upcoming conference co-sponsored by the Jesuit Media Lab and Loyola University Chicago's Hank Center for the Catholic Intellectual Heritage, and it was in preparing for that conference that Eric read Susan's work and wanted to talk with her more for our podcast. You might be tempted to think that D&D is something just for fantasy nerds, but as Susan so passionately details, games like Dungeons & Dragons are really experiences in shared storytelling, in co-creating and inhabiting a common space in which our imaginations — and our ability to cultivate empathy and understanding — run wild. Whether you're a long-time fan of role-playing games or just hearing about them for the first time today, we think you're going to enjoy this conversation. And, if you do, we encourage you to check out the links in our show notes—there you'll find a link to the America Magazine article, the anthology in which Susan's chapter appears and the homepage for our upcoming in-person conference on March 14th—“A Faith that Builds Worlds: The Catholic Imagination and Speculative Storytelling.” We hope to see you there. * “Dungeons & Dragons—and Jesuits” | https://www.americamagazine.org/arts-culture/2025/05/29/dungeons- dragons-religious-life-250622/ “Theology, Religions and Dungeons & Dragons” | https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/theology-religion-and-dungeons--dragons-9781978716025/ “A Faith that Builds Worlds: The Catholic Imagination and Speculative Storytelling” | https://sites.google.com/view/a-faith-that-builds-worlds/home?authuser=0

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. As we welcome 2026, host Mike Jordan Laskey wanted to have a deeply thoughtful and faith-filled guest on the show to propose some spirituality-related New Year's Resolutions for us. The award-winning Catholic writer Laura Kelly Fanucci did not disappoint. Laura is the author of great books like “Everyday Sacrament” and “Called on the Way,” among others, and she came to the show with four creative, spiritually deep, totally doable resolution ideas, and she's so enthusiastic about New Year's that she almost convinced Mike that he has underrated it on his holidays ranking list, where it has traditionally dwelled somewhere down around Flag Day. Laura Kelly Fanucci: https://laurakellyfanucci.com/ AMDG is a production of the Jesuit Media Lab, which is a project of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. www.jesuits.org/ www.beajesuit.org/ twitter.com/jesuitnews facebook.com/Jesuits instagram.com/wearethejesuits youtube.com/societyofjesus www.jesuitmedialab.org/

For you eleventh-hour Christmas shoppers out there, have I got a treat for you. There's a new book out from Loyola Press, the second volume in an increasingly essential collection of Ignatian spirituality readers. This one is, aptly named, “An Ignatian Spirituality Reader: Contemporary Writings on St. Ignatius of Loyola, the Spiritual Exercises, Discernment and More—Volume II.” The first of these volumes was crucial for my own formation in the Ignatian tradition, covering key topics like the life of St. Ignatius, tools for discernment and ways to pray in the Ignatian tradition. I quote this book all the time. That's why I was so excited to get my hands on this new volume. Some of those classic topics are there—discernment, Ignatius' life, and more—but we get chapters on racial justice, caring for the environment and the role of the imagination in the Exercises. We hear, too, from a wide ranging array of voices and experiences, adding to the richness of this edition. (I even have a chapter in there on the Two Standards and social media.) And so, today we're going to hear about this book from two of the editors who worked on it. But more importantly, we're going to hear why Ignatian spirituality continues to matter in our world—and what it has to offer this moment. Fr. Mark Mossa is a professor of religious studies at Loyola University of New Orleans and a Jesuit priest. He serves as program director of the Canizaro Center for Catholic Studies and is the author of “Already There: Letting God Find You” and “Saint Ignatius of Loyola The Spiritual Writings.” Lori Stanley is the executive director of the Loyola Institute for Spirituality in Orange, CA. She is the first layperson to hold the role. In 2020 she was appointed to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops anti-racism taskforce for the state of California, and is a collaborator with the Jesuit Antiracism Sodality and the Jesuit West Collaborative for Racial Equity. Both Lori and Fr. Mark are real founts of Ignatian wisdom—and I know you'll enjoy our conversation. If you'd like to get a copy of the book, visit this link: https://store.loyolapress.com/an-ignatian-spirituality-reader-volume-2

In this special crossover episode of "AMDG: A Jesuit Podcast" and "The Jesuit Border Podcast," we hear from both Fr. Brian Strassburger, SJ, the executive director of Del Camino Jesuit Border Ministries and Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark, NJ. First, Fr. Brian gives us an update on what it's like living and working on the US-Mexico border. He reflects on how Advent provides an important lens in approaching this ministry and shares stories and reflections from both his daily work and Scripture. Then, we hear Fr. Brian's interview with Cardinal Tobin. Brian is joined by his cohost, Joe Nolla, SJ, and together they talk with Cardinal Tobin about immigration and the Church's role in accompanying the most vulnerable. This interview originally aired as the final episode of the ninth season of "The Jesuit Border Podcast." If you want to learn more about Fr. Brian's work, visit: https://www.jesuitscentralsouthern.org/our-work/del-camino/ If you want to subscribe to "The Jesuit Border Podcast," visit: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-jesuit-border-podcast/id1593208023 If you want to subscribe to Del Camino Jesuit Border Ministries' newsletter, visit: https://mailchi.mp/thejesuitpost/del-camino-jesuit-border-ministries If you want to read the US Catholic bishops' statement on immigration, visit: https://www.jesuits.org/stories/society-of-jesus-in-the-united-states-applauds-u-s-bishops-special-message-on-immigration/

Jesuit Media Lab fellows Mike O'Connell and Renée Roden join host Mike Jordan Laskey to draft their favorite things about Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." It's a celebration in honor of the Jesuit Media Lab's first published book -- a communal read-aloud version of the classic novella, formatted as a play. We're encouraging folks to gather with their friends, family, neighbors or fellow parishioners to read " A Christmas Carol" aloud. More on our version of "A Christmas Carol" and how you can host a read-aloud gathering: https://jesuitmedialab.org/weve-published-a-read-aloud-adaptation-of-a-christmas-carol-here-are-6-tips-for-hosting-your-own-communal-reading-party/ The scan of Dickens' own copy of the novella he used for public readings during his life: https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/e1951b10-d507-0136-fa03-60f81dd2b63c More about our Jesuit Media Lab fellows: https://jesuitmedialab.org/meet-the-first-ever-jesuit-media-lab-fellow-michael-oconnell-ph-d/ https://jesuitmedialab.org/meet-our-newest-jesuit-media-lab-fellow-renee-d-roden/ AMDG is a production of the Jesuit Media Lab, which is a project of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. www.jesuits.org/ www.beajesuit.org/ twitter.com/jesuitnews facebook.com/Jesuits instagram.com/wearethejesuits youtube.com/societyofjesus www.jesuitmedialab.org/

It's a bit of a cliché to say that we live in uncertain times. Just look at the headlines. Relationships — from the global to the intimate — are fraying. We swim in waters full of fear and worry, contempt and disdain. Anxiety abounds. That's why today's guest — writer and cultural commentator, Sara Billups — has written a new book. It's called “Nervous Systems: Spiritual Practices to Calm Anxiety in Your Body, the Church and Politics.” It's out now and — spoiler alert — Billups writes quite a bit about Ignatian spirituality. She looks to Ignatius' all-important idea of holy indifference as a way of approaching the anxiety-inducing moment in which we all find ourselves. You may recall that when Ignatius says “indifference,” he's not promoting a lifestyle that is apathetic or callous to the signs of the times. Rather, Ignatius wants us to let go of how we want things to go and to instead allow God's Spirit to use us as they Spirit wills. In short, God's ways are not our ways; so, let's put aside our preferences and discover God's. In addition to this new book, “Nervous Systems,” Billups has bylines in the New York Times and Christianity Today. She completed a Doctor of Ministry in the Sacred Art of Writing at Peterson Cetner for the Christian Imagination at Western Theological Seminary. She writes a Substack called “Bitter Scroll” and hosts a podcast called “That's the Spirit.” You can learn more about Sara and her work by exploring the links below. Website: https://www.sarabillups.com/ Order the book: https://www.amazon.com/Nervous-Systems-Spiritual-Practices-Politics-ebook/dp/B0F2NC1QDL Substack: https://www.sarabillups.com/bitter-scroll

Whenever a man joins the Society of Jesus, his family and friends have to process that big life change and figure out how it's going to affect their relationship with the new Jesuit. In that way, Kristin Gilger is not unlike the thousands of mothers who have watched their sons join the order. Her son Patrick – who everyone else calls Paddy – joined the Jesuits in 2002. But one big way Kristin is different from other moms of Jesuits is that she has just published a book about her experience. It's called “My Son, the Priest: A Mother's Crisis of Faith,” and it has all the makings of an instant spiritual classic. Kristin Gilger is a longtime journalist and journalism professor, and she brought her reporting chops to a topic much closer to home than her usual subjects. Kristin is not afraid to ask big, tough questions, she's not afraid to be vulnerable, she's not afraid to share about her struggles with the Catholic Church and her son's vocation. “My Son, the Priest” is honest, human, deeply researched and often hilarious. Kristin and Fr. Paddy recently joined host Mike Jordan Laskey to record a podcast, and we found that mother and son had so much to say and so much fun talking to each other that we could take Mike right out of the episode. So you'll be hearing just from Kristin and Fr. Paddy here, a glimpse into the Gilger family and their story. It feels just perfect to be sharing this episode with you during Thanksgiving week, when families around the country gather with love, joy, and maybe just a bit of tension or stress. “My Son, the Priest: A Mother's Crisis of Faith”: https://www.monkfishpublishing.com/product/my-son-the-priest/ Kristin Gilger: https://search.asu.edu/profile/494566 Fr. Paddy Gilger, SJ: https://www.luc.edu/sociology/faculty/profiles/patrickgilgersjphd.shtml AMDG is a production of the Jesuit Media Lab, which is a project of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. www.jesuits.org/ www.beajesuit.org/ twitter.com/jesuitnews facebook.com/Jesuits instagram.com/wearethejesuits youtube.com/societyofjesus www.jesuitmedialab.org/

Rob Lorenz was a National Park Ranger who spent time working at places Arches National Park in Utah and Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico. One of his favorite things to do was to give tours and ranger talks to groups, explaining the extraordinary places of natural beauty in ways that were accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds. During a post in Washington, DC, where he worked near the National Mall at places like the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials, he started feeling like God might be calling him to something else. Long story short, Rob joined the USA East Coast province of the Jesuits in 2019. Today, he's in the stage of formation called regency, which is typically two or three years of active ministry that falls in between periods of philosophy and theology study. Rob is spending his regency as the outreach coordinator for the Vatican Observatory. Founded in 1891 by Pope Leo XIII, the Vatican Observatory is led by Jesuit astronomers who are doing high-level scientific research in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, and Tucson, Arizona. Rob's job is to speak with groups about the wonders of the cosmos and the work the observatory – a job not too dissimilar from what he was doing as a National Park Ranger. He stopped by our Washington, DC, studio recently for a conversation with host Mike Jordan Laskey. Rob Lorenz, SJ: https://www.vaticanobservatory.org/profile/rob-lorenz-s-j/ The Vatican Observatory: https://www.vaticanobservatory.org/ AMDG is a production of the Jesuit Media Lab, which is a project of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. www.jesuits.org/ www.beajesuit.org/ twitter.com/jesuitnews facebook.com/Jesuits instagram.com/wearethejesuits youtube.com/societyofjesus www.jesuitmedialab.org/

“To many, Fantasy, this sub-creative art which plays strange tricks with the world and all that is in it, combining nouns and redistributing adjectives, has seemed suspect, if not illegitimate. To some it has seemed at least a childish folly” writes J.R.R. Tolkien in his classic essay, “On Fairy-Stories.” He goes on to insist: “Fantasy is a natural human activity. It certainly does not destroy or even insult Reason; and it does not either blunt the appetite for, nor obscure the perception of, scientific verity. On the contrary. The keener and the clearer is the reason, the better fantasy will it make.” In short, Tolkien is saying that the fantastical—stories of elves and dragons and magical staffs—are not escape hatches from this world but rather invitations to delve deeper into the truth of our own reality. Today's guest tests that hypothesis—and, in my humblest of opinions, proves just how right Tolkien was. Rose John Sheffler is a Catholic writer who has been telling stories her whole life. She's written a delightful volume of Biblically inspired fairy tales called “Past Watchful Dragons: Biblical Stories Retold.” Her book invites us into the world of Erith where we meet characters we know from the Bible but…different. Still—and, as you'll hear—the truth of these stories, the values and the hopes that they point to, are familiar and likely resonate with what lies deep in your own heart. If you want to learn more about Rose's work or get a copy of her book, visit rosejohnsheffler.substack.com.

If you love old books – if you love how they smell, if you love imagining their journeys through the world into your hands, if you can't pass by a used bookstore without popping inside – then you'll love today's episode. Our guest is Fr. Michael Suarez, SJ, a Jesuit priest and the director of the Rare Book School at the University of Virginia. The Rare Book School runs courses for students and practitioners from all disciplines on the history of written, printed and digital materials with leading scholars and professionals in the field. Fr. Suarez is also an English professor and an honorary curator of UVA's special collections. Host Mike Jordan Laskey asked him about the work of the Rare Book School and why he is fascinated by books (and all matter of printed material) as cultural objects. They also discussed how Fr. Suarez's work has deep connections to his faith, and how the Jesuits through the centuries have often been at the forefront of writing and making books around the world. Fr. Suarez is so clearly passionate about his work and teaching that it'll make you want to travel to Charlottesville, Virginia, to check out all the fascinating stuff housed in the special collections at the university. Rare Book School: https://rarebookschool.org/ Fr. Michael Suarez, SJ: https://rarebookschool.org/faculty/general/michael-suarez/ AMDG is a production of the Jesuit Media Lab, which is a project of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. www.jesuits.org/ www.beajesuit.org/ twitter.com/jesuitnews facebook.com/Jesuits instagram.com/wearethejesuits youtube.com/societyofjesus www.jesuitmedialab.org/

If you've hung around Jesuits and Jesuit organizations long enough, you surely have come in contact with the phrase cura personalis. In short, practicing cura personalis means caring for the whole person: body, mind and spirit. It's an invitation to ask more questions, deeper questions, about who we are and where we're going and what unique tools and experiences we might need to get there. You know cura personalis. But have you ever heard of cura personalis mission-driven, organizationally-minded little sibling, cura apostolica? Cura apostolica means a care for the apostolate. This principle—like care for the fullness of a person—means recognizing and caring for the fullness of a mission. What is an organization meant to do? How can it persist in the work of shepherding a mission as time and circumstances change? I'll confess that I was far more knowledgeable of and comfortable with cura personalis. Cura apostolica seems a bit esoteric, relevant only to CEOs and HR departments. What has it got to do with me in my daily life? Well, as today's guest, Jesuit Fr. Matt Carnes insist, a lot. In fact, cura apostolica and cura personalis go hand-in-hand; they're two sides of the same coin. Understanding and embodying one leads us to better live out the other. Fr. Carnes is the Vice President for Mission and Ministry at Santa Clara University, as well as the Executive Director of the Ignatian Center for Jesuit Education and Professor of Political Science. Prior to joining Santa Clara University, he was an associate professor at Georgetown University in the Department of Government and the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, and he served as Vice Dean for Faculty Affairs in the School of Foreign Service and as the Director of the Center for Latin American Studies. Most important to today's conversation, Fr. Matt is the editor of an upcoming book from Georgetown University Press entitled “Leadership Lessons from the Jesuits: Cura Apostolica and the Mission-Driven Organization.” It's due out sometime next year. I had a chance to read an early copy—and I found myself inspired by how cura apostolica can revolutionize how we approach our mission-driven work. I hope you get a sense of that today, and leave inspired to return to your own singular part of our shared mission. Preorder the book: https://press.georgetown.edu/Book/Leadership-Lessons-from-the-Jesuits Meet Fr. Carnes: https://www.scu.edu/cas/political-science/faculty--staff/matthew-e-carnes-sj/

Fr. Chris Kellerman, SJ, the Jesuit Conference's Secretary of Justice and Ecology, joins host Mike Jordan Laskey to discuss Pope Leo XIV's apostolic exhortation "Dilexi te," which calls on the church to remember that the care of those on the margins is at the heart of our mission. Read the exhortation: https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/apost_exhortations/documents/20251004-dilexi-te.html The Jesuit Conference's Office of Justice and Ecology: https://www.jesuits.org/our-work/justice-and-ecology/oje/ Fr. Kellerman's book, "All Oppression Shall Cease": https://www.amazon.com/All-Oppression-Shall-Cease-Abolitionism/dp/1626984891 AMDG is a production of the Jesuit Media Lab, which is a project of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. www.jesuits.org/ www.beajesuit.org/ twitter.com/jesuitnews facebook.com/Jesuits instagram.com/wearethejesuits youtube.com/societyofjesus www.jesuitmedialab.org/

The Jesuit Border Podcast has just launched its ninth season, and to commemorate the event, we're featuring the first episode of season nine here on AMDG. You'll hear stories, reflections and an interview from hosts Fr. Brian Strassburger, SJ, and Joe Nolla, SJ, of Del Camino Jesuit Border Ministries. Bishop Michael Pham of the Diocese of San Diego is today's guest. Bishop Pham was the first U.S. bishop appointed by Pope Leo XIV. He shares the harrowing story of fleeing Vietnam as a young boy on a small boat that nearly capsized in the sea. Bishop Pham also talks about an experience this summer attending immigration court to walk with migrants. He calls out our immigration enforcement approach that is criminalizing migrants and separating families, when our country should be a place of refuge, as it was for him and his family decades ago. Fr. Brian and Joe open up the new season talking about what it means to find refuge. Brian shares the story of Naomi, a single mom from Honduras with a five-month old son. They were denied refuge in the U.S. when they crossed the border and were rapidly sent back into Mexico. At the local shelter, the women rallied to support this young mother, showing her what it means to provide refuge. Joe shares the story of Marialex, a young girl in Matamoros, who showed how small actions can speak loudly in offering welcome and inclusion. You can learn more about the work of Del Camino Jesuit Border Ministries and subscribe to the Jesuit Border Podcast here: https://www.jesuitscentralsouthern.org/our-work/del-camino/

Fr. George Drance, SJ, is a great example of the fact that Jesuits can do and be anything. Fr. George is a theatre artist, which, in his case, encompasses acting on the stage, directing, teaching acting classes at Fordham University in New York, and writing and adapting his own shows. He's also the artistic director for the Magis Theatre Company, which he founded. His work takes him all over the world: he has performed and directed in more than 25 countries on five continents. This past summer, Fr. George's work took him to his ancestral homeland: Ukraine. Ukraine, of course, has been facing wartime conditions since 2014, and the full-scale invasion of the country Russia launched in February 2022 has disrupted or destroyed countless lives. In that context, Fr. George visited a former Fordham student of his who is now living in the city of Kyiv and running an experimental theatre company there. Fr. George ran a workshop with Ukrainian actors and was involved in some performances in the city. Host Mike Jordan Laskey asked him to talk about the experience of doing theatre in a war-torn land and why he thinks it's so vital to keep making art in a world that's on fire. It was a powerful conversation about his experiences in Ukraine and the inspiring artists he met there who are bringing beauty within a heartbreaking, enraging situation. Magis Theatre Company: https://www.magistheatre.org/ Nashi Experimental Theatre Club in Kyiv, Ukraine: https://www.instagram.com/nashi.etc/?hl=en Fr. George's “Forming a Practice of Hope” series at the Jesuit Media Lab: https://jesuitmedialab.org/category/forming-a-practice-of-hope/ AMDG is a production of the Jesuit Media Lab, which is a project of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. www.jesuits.org/ www.beajesuit.org/ twitter.com/jesuitnews facebook.com/Jesuits instagram.com/wearethejesuits youtube.com/societyofjesus www.jesuitmedialab.org/

On October 4 and 5, the Catholic Church will observe the 111th World Day of Migrants and Refugees. Today's guest, who recently stopped by our studio in Washington, DC, is a perfect guest for the occasion. His name is Michael Petro, SJ, and he's a Jesuit of the American East Coast province who is currently in the regency stage of his formation. Michael's regency has been quite far from the norm, though – he's working in Beirut, Lebanon with Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS). Michael has worn a lot of hats in his time in the country, including setting up and running an emergency shelter for men, women and children who were displaced by the war between Israel and Hezbollah. During a visit home to the U.S., Michael stopped by to share stories from his work in Beirut and to talk about his Jesuit vocation. It's safe to say he never imagined he would be running a temporary emergency shelter in Lebanon when he joined the Jesuits in New York not long after he graduated college. Host Mike Jordan Laskey loved hearing from Michael about the people he has met and why it's so important for the church to keep accompanying and serving migrants and refugees, even and especially when it's not politically popular to do so. We think you'll be moved by Michael's stories and inspired by his faith in action. Learn more about Michael: https://jesuitspro.com/6373/ https://jrs.net/en/story/amid-bombs-in-lebanon-a-church-opens-its-doors-to-hundreds-of-migrants/ https://www.jesuits.global/2025/08/18/arrupe-migrant-center-in-beirut-to-gather-to-pray-to-play/ JRS in the Middle East and North Africa: https://jrs.net/en/jrs_offices/jrs-middle-east/ AMDG is a production of the Jesuit Media Lab, which is a project of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. www.jesuits.org/ www.beajesuit.org/ twitter.com/jesuitnews facebook.com/Jesuits instagram.com/wearethejesuits youtube.com/societyofjesus www.jesuitmedialab.org/

St. Kevin is a 6th century Irish saint, best known, perhaps, for the monastery he founded at Glendalough, tucked deep into County Wicklow. Beyond the monastic community, Kevin has been immortalized by Irish poet Seamus Heaney in a poem called “St. Kevin and the Blackbird.” It's a poem that speaks of a legend, a peculiar moment of prayer and stillness. Our own communications team member, Eric Clayton, knew very little about St. Kevin until a statue was erected on the campus of his alma mater to honor his late friend and spiritual mentor, the Jesuit priest Jim Bowler. The statue depicted Kevin and his blackbird, and Eric wondered why. Today's episode tracks Eric's own pilgrimage from a Connecticut university library to a cave over an Irish lake. His guide is the pilgrimage expert, Irish Jesuit Fr. Brendan McManus. Brendan is an award-winning author who has penned multiple books on the life-changing pilgrimages he's made, most notably along the Camino de Santiago. Journey with Eric and Brendan as they set out into the spiritual heart of Ireland. Resources: Take a look at some of Eric's photos from the pilgrimage: https://www.jesuits.org/stories/now-discern-this-chasing-after-st-kevin/#anchor2 Read the poem, “St. Kevin and the Blackbird,” by Seamus Heaney: https://glendalough.wicklowheritage.org/new-contributions/st-kevin-and-the-blackbird-read-by-seamus-heaney Get a copy of Fr. Brendan's classic book, “Redemption Road:” https://store.loyolapress.com/redemption-road

The screenwriters Brian Gunn and Mark Gunn are cousins, and they grew up in the 1970s and '80s in a big Catholic extended family in St. Louis. The Gunns are an incredibly creative clan that has produced all sorts of actors and writers and directors, including Brian's brother James, who you might know as the director of the most recent “Superman” movie and the “Guardians of the Galaxy” franchise. Brian and Mark are both Jesuit educated twice over, alumni of St. Louis University High School and the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts. It was during college that they started performing sketch comedy together, and they both moved to Los Angeles in the '90s to pursue Hollywood dreams. Since then, Brian and Mark have worked together on films and TV shows, including the family adventure movie “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island” starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and a 2019 superhero horror film called “Brightburn” featuring Elizabeth Banks. Their first project that made it big was a movie and series called “2gether,” which debuted on MTV in 2000. It was a hilarious parody of the boy band era of Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC and it was influential on the development of AMDG host Mike Jordan Laskey's sense of humor. The actors playing the boy band became an actual boy band themselves, opening for Britney Spears and hitting the Billboard charts with two different albums. If you are an elder millennial, all we have to say is, “I know my calculus,” and you'll sing back: “You plus me equals us.” Mike asked Brian and Mark about their family and their Jesuit education, how they work together as a writing team, and what it's like to work in the film industry. Mark and Brian also shared some creative tips they've learned in more than a quarter century in the trade. Finally, Mike couldn't let them go without reminiscing about “2gether” and marveling at the fact that 25 years after the movie's debut, the most popular film in the world right now is another movie about a fictional boy band. Though this new one is composed of demons and they're being hunted by a KPop girl group... Anyway, we think you'll enjoy this sneak peek into the lives of Hollywood screenwriters. www.jesuits.org/ www.beajesuit.org/ twitter.com/jesuitnews facebook.com/Jesuits instagram.com/wearethejesuits youtube.com/societyofjesus www.jesuitmedialab.org/