AMDG: A Jesuit Podcast

When you think about the Catholic Church, you may be tempted to think in terms that are outside of history – the Church is more or less the same since Jesus’ time, right? The continuity is supposed to be obvious, untouchable. Of course, that’s impossible. No matter how much we may try to preserve something, the steady march of time, those slow and plodding changes to society and culture as well as those unforeseen events, inevitably impact even the most resilient of institutions. Today’s episode is a deep dive into one of those perhaps unforeseen events that upended Catholicism – and in particular, the Papacy – as we know it. In fact, how we understand both Catholicism and the Papacy today traces directly to this moment in history. Today's guest, Fr. Jeffrey von Arx, SJ, is a Visiting Professor of the History of Christianity at the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry and the Superior and Director of the John LaFarge Jesuit House of Studies at Harvard University. Fr. von Arx guides us through the years spanning the French Revolution through the First Vatican Council and beyond, and reflects on how a near-death experience for the Papacy following the French Revolution led to what he believes is an experience of PTSD – post-traumatic stress disorder – in the Church, and shares what he sees as the outcome of this institutional PTSD. It’s hard to fathom a time when the papacy almost ceased to exist – particularly in the wake of papacies like John Paul II’s and Francis’. And yet, as Fr. von Arx notes, the Papacy as we know it today didn’t have to be this way – and in fact was really close to not existing at all. The Jesuits play a role in this story, too, having suffered their own near-death experience during this same era. And, though it’s tempting to think of this historical deep-dive as unrelated to our own lives, what happened to the Catholic Church between the French Revolution and the First Vatican Council has impacted how we Catholics today experience of faith, our culture and our traditions – not to mention how we interact in society, in politics and in art. Read more from Fr. von Arx: https://www.americamagazine.org/issue/post-traumatic-church https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2018/09/24/root-china-vatican-agreement-napoleon

The Hold Steady plays big, loud rock 'n' roll that sounds like the best bar band you’ve ever heard. But if you listen carefully to the lyrics, you’ll hear moving, funny, heartbreaking stories about broken people sinning, falling and reaching for redemption. You’ll hear references to saints and churches and Catholicism and parties. Lots and lots of parties. Today's guest is the songwriter behind The Hold Steady, Craig Finn. Finn, who has been called our greatest Catholic storyteller since Flannery O’Connor, grew up in a Catholic family and graduated from Boston College. He talked to host Mike Jordan Laskey about the Catholic themes in his songs, his time at BC, and the Hold Steady’s fabulous new record "Open Door Policy." The Hold Steady: https://theholdsteady.net/ Craig Finn: https://craigfinn.net/ AMDG is a production of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. Subscribe wherever you get podcasts.

Matt Wooters, SJ, and Damian Torres-Botello, SJ, are back to journey with us along the way this Lent. Danielle Harrison, co-director of the Slavery, History, Memory and Reconciliation Project of the Jesuit Conference joins.

If you have had any encounter with Jesuits – at a school, a parish, a nonprofit – you probably know a little about St. Ignatius of Loyola. You may know he got hit by a cannonball, that he wrote the Spiritual Exercises and that he ultimately went on to found the Society of Jesus. Good enough, right? Wrong. Fr. Bart Geger, SJ – a research scholar at the Institute for Advanced Jesuit Studies and Assistant Professor of the Practice at the School of Theology and Ministry at Boston College – returns to AMDG to give us a behind-the-scenes look at his new edition of Ignatius’ own autobiography – and tells us why calling it an autobiography isn’t really right. Fr. Bart and Eric get into some more of the common misconceptions around Ignatius – around his understanding of Catholicism – and why setting the record straight matters. Ultimately, Fr. Bart helps us recognize where God was at work in Ignatius’ life – and how spending time to reflect on the saint’s life might better help us discover God at work in our own.

Matt Wooters, SJ, and Damian Torres-Botello, SJ, are back to journey with us along the way this Lent.

This is a special edition of the show we’re rushing to get in before this weekend’s Sweet 16 in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. Why the hurry? Because three Jesuit schools have made it this far: the Gonzaga Bull Dogs, Sister Jean’s Loyola Chicago Ramblers and the Creighton Blue Jays. There’s nobody more prepared to talk about these teams and the past and present of Jesuit hoops than guest John Gasaway. John is a college basketball analyst for ESPN, where he largely focuses on the growing field of sports analytics. He’s also the author of a brand-new book called “Miracles on the Hardwood: The Hope-and-a-Prayer Story of a Winning Tradition in Catholic College Basketball.” The book is chock-full of fascinating stories and history and is a must-read for any fan of Jesuit hoops. After he talked with host Mike Jordan Laskey about the book and the Jesuit-heavy Sweet 16 and this week’s passing of Jesuit basketball legend Elgin Baylor (Seattle University), John and Mike took turns drafting the best all-time players from Jesuit schools. Check out @jesuitnews on Twitter to vote for which team you think would win a hypothetical matchup on the court. Get John's book: https://www.twelvebooks.com/titles/john-gasaway/miracles-on-the-hardwood/9781538717127/ AMDG is a production of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. Subscribe wherever you get podcasts.

Perhaps you're the kind of person who consumed a lot of science fiction and fantasy stories growing up. Stories like the Chronicles of Narnia and the Lord of the Rings have overt Christian themes. Others – Star Wars and Marvel movies, for example – might if you squint at them the right way. Regardless of spiritual intent, these stories can shape us, shape our imagination. We continue to return to them - maybe in surprising ways. These imaginative stories may even lay the groundwork for an encounter with Scripture, priming our minds to see the world as a big, fantastical place where miracles are just around the corner, where epic things can and do happen, and where themes of justice and good versus evil really matter. Brent Gordon, a Jesuit brother in his first year of studies, can relate. He wrote a wonderful essay for the Jesuit Post a several weeks ago where he explored exactly these themes. And he's here today to share some of those reflections – how these seemingly otherworldly stories could lead us to our very real and present God today, in our world, in this moment. You can read his article here: https://thejesuitpost.org/2021/01/fantasy-literature-imagination-and-christian-life/

Matt Wooters, SJ, and Damian Torres-Botello, SJ, are back to journey with us along the way this Lent.

Musician and author John Darnielle is the creative force behind the Mountain Goats, the critically acclaimed and deeply loved indie rock band he has led (sometimes as its only member) since 1991. He's also a deeply spiritual person with incredible religious literacy -- each song on the Mountain Goats' 2009 album "The Life of the World to Come" is named after a different Scripture verse, for instance. Darnielle joined hosts Mike Jordan Laskey and MegAnne Liebsch to discuss everything from the church in Latin America to the spiritual experience of live music to the Book of the Prophet Jonah. It's a whirlwind of a conversation and unlike any other AMDG episode you've heard before. Learn more about the Mountain Goats here: https://www.mountain-goats.com/ AMDG is a production of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. Subscribe wherever you get podcasts.

Matt Wooters, SJ, and Damian Torres-Botello, SJ, are back to journey with us along the way this Lent. Special guest Pádraig Ó Tuama. Tune in on Saturdays for new episodes.

Joanna Williams has the kind of energy that sucks you in. Just talking to her is like getting a jolt of motivation. She’s passionate about social change and justice, but she’s also pragmatic. Williams recently became the executive director of Kino Border Initiative, a Jesuit-run ministry that accompanies migrants on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. She views her work at Kino like a global invitation. It’s not just her work—or the work of 22 staff members. Everyone has a responsibility, a share in the mission. On this episode of AMDG, Williams talks guest host MegAnne Liebsch about conditions at the border right now and how we can build a more welcoming society for migrants and asylum seekers. Learn more about KBI: https://www.kinoborderinitiative.org/ Join KBI's 100 Days Campaign here: bit.ly/kbileads Learn about migration advocacy at the Jesuit Conference: https://www.jesuits.org/our-work/justice-and-ecology/migration-and-immigration/

Matt Wooters, SJ, and Damian Torres-Botello, SJ, are back to journey with us along the way this Lent. Special guest Fr. James Martin, SJ. Tune in on Saturdays for new episodes.

Mark Kennedy Shriver has spent a lot of time with incredibly impressive people. His father was Sargent Shriver, who founded the Peace Corps, was the architect of Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty, and ran for vice president of the United States in 1972. Sargent Shriver was married to Mark’s mother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver -- sister of JFK and RFK -- for 56 years. She, in turn, founded the Special Olympics, among many other accomplishments. The public service values Mark learned from his parents have taken root in his own life. Mark served as a Maryland state delegate for eight years and has been leading the Save the Children Action Network for the last seven. He knows what it means to be a servant leader. And he shares those lessons with a fresh generation in his brand-new children’s book “10 Hidden Heroes,” published by Loyola Press. The book is a vividly illustrated “Where’s Waldo?”-style collection of people serving their communities in big and small ways, meant to show kids that they don’t need a lot of money or superpowers to be a hero in their own communities. Mark talked to AMDG host Mike Jordan Laskey about why he wrote the book, how his Catholic faith and Jesuit education shape his values, and what today’s leaders navigating the coronavirus pandemic might learn from the example of his parents. Get your copy of "10 Hidden Heroes" here, written by Mark K. Shriver and illustrated by Laura Watson: https://store.loyolapress.com/10-hidden-heroes Mark's other two books: https://www.amazon.com/Mark-K-Shriver/e/B006LTJ19A AMDG is a production of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States.

Matt Wooters, SJ, and Damian Torres-Botello, SJ, are back to journey with us along the way this Lent. Tune in on Saturdays for new episodes.

If you have a Hulu subscription or the DVDs of "Seinfeld," pull up episode 16 of the eighth season. It’s called "The Pothole." A few minutes in to the episode, Elaine, played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, is waiting for Chinese food delivery on the sidewalk. The delivery man approaches. A hilarious interaction ensues that we don’t want to spoil for you. The actor playing the delivery man is named Radmar Jao, who was an up-and-coming actor back then in 1997 and would go on to appear in shows like "ER" and "General Hospital" and the Steven Spielberg movie "Minority Report." But he left that career path about 20 years ago for something just a little bit different: Actor Radmar Jao is now Father Radmar Jao, a Jesuit priest and the director of vocations for the USA West Province. He talked with host Mike Jordan Laskey about his acting career, his entrance into the Jesuits, how he uses his acting talents in his ministry, and so much more. There’s no better way to get ready for the Golden Globe Awards this Sunday and the start of our delayed awards season than this incredibly fun conversation. AMDG is a production of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. Subscribe wherever you get podcasts.

Matt Wooters, SJ, and Damian Torres-Botello, SJ, are back to journey with us along the way this Lent. Tune in on Saturdays for new episodes.

Prayer is one of the pillars of Lenten spirituality. But it’s hard, right? We’re constantly tempted to ask, “Am I doing this right? Am I doing this enough? Is it even working?” Prayer is so foundational to our lives as Christians and yet at the same time feels somewhat mysterious. We might even convince ourselves it’s just not worth the effort. Fortunately, today’s guest has some experience in prayer. And he’s familiar with these very struggles – these temptations to throw in the towel and assume praying is better left to someone else. That’s why he wrote a new book: Learning to Pray: A Guide for Everyone. Today, Fr. James Martin, SJ, returns to AMDG to kick off the Lenten season, to give us a little insight into prayer and to offer us a word of encouragement in our own spiritual lives.

Matt Wooters, SJ, and Damian Torres-Botello, SJ, are back to journey with us along the way this Lent. Tune in on Saturdays for new episodes.

Last year was a tough year. This year has gotten off to a rocky start. Many of us – on more than one occasion – have thrown up our hands and said, “Why God? Why is this happening?” Joe Hoover, a Jesuit brother, actor and writer, asked this very question in his new book, O Death, Where is Thy Sting? He asked it again and again as he reflected back on experiences his had throughout his own life: experiences in El Salvador, experiences at the gravesides of young people, experiences coping with 9/11 and the wars that followed. Suffering, as it turns out, is not a question easily answered. But it is one that demands contemplation – that very Ignatian approach to prayer. As Joe discusses in today’s episode, sometimes it just is, and we’re left to stand in wonder and awe, shock and horror at this unavoidable part of human existence. Nevertheless, there is hope to be found. And Joe speaks to that, too. Check out Joe's book: https://www.orbisbooks.com/o-death-where-is-thy-sting.html

Fr. Alan Fogarty, SJ, has been the CEO of Salt + Light Media, a Catholic TV network and media company based in Toronto, since August. Fr. Fogarty doesn’t have a traditional media background, but he radiates energy and bold vision, traits that served him well in his previous stops as the president of St. Paul’s High School in Winnipeg, Canada, and as the president of the Gregorian University Foundation in Rome. We need more compelling, high quality, balanced Catholic media in the worst way, and hearing his hopes for Salt and Light got host Mike Jordan Laskey so excited to watch them continue to grow in the months and years to come. Check out Salt + Light online: https://slmedia.org/ "Be Not Afraid" by Catholic Artists From Home: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RF0DIpFOoBg Subscribe to AMDG wherever you get podcasts. AMDG is a production of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States.

If you’re a long-time listener of this podcast, a student at a Jesuit school or a member of a Jesuit parish, then the term “Ignatian spirituality” is probably pretty familiar to you. You might consider Ignatian spiritualty to be the bedrock of all things Jesuit: something that just is and always has been. "Magis," "Contemplatives in Action," "Discernment" – we're tempted to believe St. Ignatius himself liked to use these words. Unfortunately, it’s just not so. Legendary Jesuit historian, Fr. John O’Malley, SJ, is today's guest, reflecting on a recent article he co-wrote with another Jesuit historian, Fr. Tim O’Brien. The article is called “The Twentieth-Century Construction of Ignatian Spirituality: A Sketch.” It’s exactly what it sounds like – a quick historical tour through Jesuit history, reflecting on how we ended up with spirituality we call “Ignatian” – and how it defers from – or at least, expands upon – what St. Ignatius originally said and did. Read the article here: https://ejournals.bc.edu/index.php/jesuit/issue/view/1173

One of the most disturbing elements of the January 6 attack on the US Capitol was how much Christian imagery was on display. You don’t have to watch too many video clips to see hats and flags and shirts with Christian slogans printed on them. There’s video of a group chanting “The blood of Jesus is covering this place.” There are photos of Proud Boys kneeling in prayer. Guest Peter Manseau has been chronicling these images and stories on Twitter using the hashtag #CapitolSiegeReligion. It’s not a surprise Peter jumped into this project: He is the first-ever curator of American religious history at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington. At a time when we can’t visit museums, he’s been taking the curation work online. He talked with host Mike Jordan Laskey about what he’s learned from this social media effort, and what American religious history can teach us about how we got to the present. In the second half of the show, they talked about Peter’s most recent book, "The Jefferson Bible: A Biography." It tells the fascinating story of Thomas Jefferson’s cut-and-paste job with the Gospels and how generations of audiences have responded to the work. Learn more about Peter: http://www.petermanseau.com/ The compelling essay inspired by his book in The New Yorker: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/01/04/what-thomas-jefferson-could-never-understand-about-jesus AMDG is a production of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

How are you using your free time? Do you have enough of it? Too much? Are you mainly using it to veg out? Or are you devoting time to growing closer to God and other people and promoting the common good? These are some of the questions that animate the scholarly work of today's guest, Dr. Conor M. Kelly. An assistant professor of theology at Marquette University, Conor is the author of the recent book “The Fullness of Free Time: A Theological Account of Leisure and Recreation in the Moral Life.” He talked to host Mike Jordan Laskey about the different ways we use free time, what our faith has to say about leisure, some of the structural barriers that prevent people from having access to free time, and more. Reflect on how you're spending your free time with Conor's "Leisure Examen": jesuits.org/leisure Conor's book: http://press.georgetown.edu/book/georgetown/fullness-free-time And his recent America Magazine article on streaming: https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2020/12/17/television-streaming-video-covid-free-time-239392 Previous, related episode of AMDG with Jon Malesic mentioned in this conversation: https://soundcloud.com/jesuitconference/an-ignatian-solution-to-burnout Subscribe to AMDG wherever you get podcasts. AMDG is a production of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States.

Most New Year's Resolutions sputter out by February (if they make it that long!). In this episode, the insightful Jesuit spiritual guide Fr. John Dardis, SJ, shares three simple, doable things we can do to grow in our relationship with God this year. Plus, a reflection on what the Covid pandemic has uncovered and what a "new normal" might look like. Fr. Dardis is an Irish Jesuit who works in communications and apostolic planning for the global Society of Jesus at the Jesuit Curia in Rome. Learn more about the upcoming Ignatian Year: https://www.jesuits.global/2020/07/29/the-opportunity-of-the-ignatian-year-2021-2022/ Subscribe to AMDG wherever you get podcasts. AMDG is a production of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States.

2020 brought us a pandemic, a reckoning on racial injustice and ongoing challenges to our democratic norms. How can pop culture help us process these events? And how did pop culture fail to prepare us? Fr. Jim McDermott, SJ, returns to AMDG for a conversation on pop culture, storytelling and finding hope as we change the calendar year. There are a lot of stories to be told as we begin a new year -- and a lot of voices we need to hear from. This final episode of 2020 will help get those creative wheels spinning.

Fr. Peter Rožič, SJ, is the director of the Jesuit European Social Centre (https://jesc.eu/), based in Brussels, Belgium -- the de facto capital of the European Union. He talked with host Mike Jordan Laskey about the pandemic year in Europe, the importance of forming young leaders with Ignatian values, and his colorful childhood and early inklings of a Jesuit vocation in his native Slovenia. Learn more about Fr. Peter: https://jesc.eu/peter-rozic-sj-appointed-as-new-director-of-jesc/ Subscribe to AMDG wherever you listen to podcasts.

Br. Matt Wooters, SJ, and Damian Torres-Botello, SJ, guide us in praying through the Sunday readings for the final week of Advent. Music by Borrtex. Accessed via FreeMusicArchive.org.

The Advent and Christmas seasons are most welcome this year. To celebrate the yuletide, two Christmas music fans from the Jesuit family join host Mike Jordan Laskey to talk about their favorite seasonal tunes. Dr. Susan Bigelow Reynolds is a professor of Catholic Studies at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology and has two degrees from Boston College. She’s also a top-notch singer and percussionist. Fr. Mark Mossa, SJ, is the director of campus ministry at St. Mary Student Parish at the University of Michigan. He’s also a writer and a hardcore pop culture aficionado. The three new friends took turns drafting favorite Christmas songs like in the NFL or NBA draft, ending up with a 12-song playlist – plus a bunch of honorable mention choices – that are sure to make the rest of the season merry and bright. And a bit melancholy. And maybe even a bit teary-eyed. Christmas has a lot of emotions even in a non-pandemic year. Learn more about Susan: https://candler.emory.edu/faculty/profiles/reynolds-susan.html Learn more about Fr. Mark: https://www.stmarystudentparish.org/staff/fr-mark-mossa-s-j/ Don’t forget to subscribe to AMDG wherever you get podcasts.

Br. Matt Wooters, SJ, and Damian Torres-Botello, SJ, guide us in praying through the Sunday readings for the third week of Advent. Music by Borrtex. Accessed via FreeMusicArchive.org.

On Monday, the Vatican made a surprising announcement: Pope Francis is planning to visit Iraq next March, his first international visit since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. He will be the first pope to visit this majority-Muslim country and wants to make the visit what the Vatican called a “concrete gesture of closeness” to the people of Iraq, who have suffered through years of war and instability. As we look forward to Pope Francis’ visit, and pray it will be an occasion of bridge building between Christians and Muslims, it's a perfect time to feature this conversation with Jordan Denari Duffner, an acclaimed author and scholar of Muslim-Christian relations, interreligious dialogue and Islamophobia. Jordan's books are "Finding Jesus among Muslims: How Loving Islam Makes Me a Better Catholic" (2017) and "Islamophobia: What Christians Should Know (and Do) about Anti-Muslim Discrimination," which will be released in the spring of 2021. She is also a Ph.D. student in Theological and Religious Studies at Georgetown University. She talked with host Mike Jordan Laskey about Muslim-Christian dialogue and what we can all do to take a stand against Islamophobia and work toward understanding and peace. Learn more about Jordan's work here: https://jordandenari.com/ You can subscribe to AMDG wherever you listen to podcasts.

Br. Matt Wooters, SJ, and Damian Torres-Botello, SJ, guides is praying through the Sunday readings for the second week of Advent. Music by Borrtex. Accessed via FreeMusicArchive.org.

The arrival of December means college semesters are either finished or wrapping up. This was the first academic term that happened entirely within the pandemic, and there’s nobody better suited to give a bird’s-eye view of how the 27 Jesuit colleges and universities in the US handled the semester than Fr. Mike Garanzini, SJ. Fr. Garanzini is a Jesuit priest and the president of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU). He’s also the secretary for higher education for the worldwide Society of Jesus, which gives him a uniquely international perspective. He has worked in higher education for decades, including a successful 14-year tenure as president of Loyola University Chicago. In addition to talking about this unprecedented semester, he talked with host Mike Jordan Laskey about the distinctive value of Jesuit higher education within an extremely competitive marketplace and what he hopes the Biden administration will do to support college students. Learn about AJCU at https://www.ajcunet.edu/ AMDG is a production of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States.

Br. Matt Wooters, SJ, and Damian Torres-Botello, SJ, guides is praying through the Sunday readings for the first week of Advent.

Many of us won't be traveling or seeing loved ones for Thanksgiving this year. So host Mike Jordan Laskey called up his old college roommate to connect from afar: Fr. Michael Rossmann, SJ. They discussed finding spiritual nourishment during the pandemic and how the Eucharist, which means "thanksgiving," can help heal divisions even when we can’t all get to Mass. Fr. Rossmann is a vocation promoter for the Midwest Jesuits. He joined the Jesuits in 2007, just after graduating from the University of Notre Dame. Fr. Rossmann taught in Tanzania for two years and has graduate degrees from Loyola University Chicago and Boston College. He is passionate about evangelization and has been active in the use of new media, starting the "One-Minute Homily" and previously serving as the editor-in-chief of The Jesuit Post. He continues to post a one-minute video on social media each week. His goal in life is to get people to spell his last name with two n’s. Might you or someone you know be called to be a Jesuit? Check out beajesuit.org. Subscribe to AMDG wherever you find podcasts.

Join Br. Matt Wooters, SJ, and Damian Torres-Botello, SJ, this Advent in a new podcast reflection series, "Along the Way."

It's not shocking to say that the United States is a divided nation. And no matter who you voted for in the 2020 presidential election, you probably know someone who voted the other way. You probably know someone who feels discouraged and angry, just as much as you probably know someone who feels vindicated and hopeful. You yourself likely fall into one of those camps. As we barreled through those last few weeks of the election, guest host Eric Clayton came across a book that he thought might bring a bit of consolation in this otherwise chaotic moment. It’s called "The Ignatian Guide to Forgiveness" and it’s by Marina McCoy, a professor of philosophy at Boston College. (You can preorder the book through Loyola Press.) The book raised the following question: If we practice Ignatian spirituality – a spirituality that by its very nature demands that we put into action what we experience of God – how does an Ignatian approach to forgiveness play out in this moment? What does it demand of us? And what does it offer? How might it heal our relationships with one another? In today’s podcast, Eric talks with Marina about answers to these questions – and more.

Dr. Jeanette Epps is an aerospace engineer and a NASA astronaut. Earlier this year, it was announced that Jeanette had been chosen for a six-month mission to the International Space Station, where she will become the first Black woman to live and work in space for an extended amount of time. Jeanette is also a product of Jesuit education: she graduated from Le Moyne College in Syracuse, NY, in 1992 and currently serves on the school’s board of directors. She talked to host Mike Jordan Laskey last month about life as an astronaut, how she reacted when she found out about her upcoming mission to space, what she values about Le Moyne College, and how the wonders of the universe shape her faith in God. Learn more about Jeanette here: https://www.nasa.gov/astronauts/biographies/jeanette-j-epps/biography Subscribe to AMDG wherever you get podcasts.

Sr. Colleen Gibson, SSJ, offers her original poem, "The Signs," written in the waning hours of November 3, 2020. Sr. Colleen is a Sister of Saint Joseph, who currently serves as coordinator of services at the Sisters of St. Joseph Neighborhood Center in Camden, New Jersey and is a regular contributor to Give Us This Day, National Catholic Reporter, and Global Sisters Report.

We made it to Election Week in the strangest, most stressful presidential election campaign season of our lifetimes. Today's guest, Bill McCormick, SJ, is such a hopeful, faith-filled guy you might leave the episode feeling maybe even a little optimistic about things. A Jesuit-in-training and a political science professor, Bill is the perfect person to wrap up our series on faith and politics. He and host Mike Jordan Laskey discuss Pope Francis' political vision and how we might respond to the needs of the world with compassion and a long view. Read Bill at America Magazine, where he's a contributing editor: https://www.americamagazine.org/voices/bill-mccormick-sj Follow him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BMcCSJ Check out all the Jesuits' faith and politics coverage: https://jesuits.org/election2020

There are lots of tricky phrases that pop up often in Catholic faith and politics conversations these days: Constitutional originalism. Intrinsic evil. Prudential judgment. "Non-negotiable issues." Professor Cathleen Kaveny of Boston College helps host Mike Jordan Laskey unpack and understand these ideas and more. Dr. Kaveny is the first person in the history of BC to hold joint appointments in the theology department and law school, and has made her unique career at the intersection of faith, morality and law. Learn more about her work here: https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/schools/law/academics-faculty/faculty-directory/cathleen-kaveny.html Find all the Jesuits' faith and politics coverage at jesuits.org/election2020.

Congressman Francis Rooney is a conservative Republican from a conservative district in Florida, but the issues he wanted to discuss with host Mike Jordan Laskey were not standard GOP talking points: he wanted to talk about fighting climate change, protecting the Everglades and stopping offshore drilling in Florida. He brought up economic inequality and his vote for a $15 per hour minimum wage. He railed against partisan gerrymandering. It's disappointing the Congressman isn’t running for reelection this year because his commitment to building bridges across partisan divides is rare. We sure could use more elected leaders with open minds in this polarized era. Congressman Rooney also talked about his tenure as the U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See, a position he held from 2005 until 2008. He shared some great behind-the-scenes stories about his experiences with Pope Benedict XVI, and also what he learned about the church by engaging with the Vatican on diplomatic affairs. Finally, he talked about how his Jesuit education impacted him, which included stops at Georgetown Prep, Georgetown University and Georgetown Law. This episode is part of a series on faith and politics inspired by the new Jesuit document titled “Contemplation and Political Action: An Ignatian Guide to Civic Engagement.” Read the document and see the rest of our faith and politics coverage at jesuits.org/election2020.

Sr. Quincy Howard, OP, is the Coordinating Director of advocacy, outreach and campaigns for the Faithful Democracy coalition, which is a multi-faith community of organizations and congregations who share the moral imperative of fixing our democracy. She talks with host Mike Jordan Laskey about the threats to our democratic systems and how we can address them. She also shares her vocation story, which is one of the most incredible paths to religious life you'll ever hear. Get involved with Faithful Democracy: https://faithfuldemocracy.us/ Sr. Quincy's viral moment: https://twitter.com/chrismazina/status/1267868625416921089 This is part of our series on faith and politics. To read the new Jesuit Conference document "Contemplation and Political Action: An Ignatian Guide to Civic Engagement," visit http://jesuits.org/civic-engagement.

To help you spiritually prepare for Election Day, we’re kicking off a series of episodes on faith and politics. You know, those topics you’re not supposed to discuss in polite company. These episodes are inspired by a new document by the Jesuits of Canada and the USA called “Contemplation and Political Action: An Ignatian Guide to Civic Engagement,” which reflects on how Ignatian spirituality can help shape the way we participate in political life. Our guest today is no stranger to these topics: Fr. Tom Reese, SJ. Fr. Tom is a well known and long-time commentator on faith and public life, and currently serves as a columnist for the Religion News Service. He is a former editor of America Magazine and wrote the book "Inside the Vatican." He talked with host Mike Jordan Laskey about the election and how Catholics can navigate political choices when neither of our major parties perfectly align with Catholic social justice teachings. Fr. Reese's recent fabulous piece on Catholic voting: https://religionnews.com/2020/08/27/trump-or-biden-whats-a-catholic-voter-to-do/ Follow Fr. Reese on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ThomasReeseSJ Subscribe to AMDG wherever you listen to podcasts.

Fr. Jason Downer, SJ, had been studying to be a Jesuit priest for the better part of the last ten years. Somehow, though, ordination during a pandemic wasn't on the course list. Jason is today's guest. He reflects on how Ignatian spirituality grounded him during the uncertain months surrounding his ordination. And how his closeness to God continues to ground him during his first assignment in Saipan -- an island in the Western Pacific. As you'll hear, Jason's vocation story comes full circle with two flights over the Pacific Ocean. And he reminds us what it means to be a true example of contemplation in action.

Paisley Sierra grew up in a community where clean water is scarce. Her family's water sources are threatened by contamination from uranium mining and oil pipelines. Sierra lives in South Dakota, on the Pine Ridge reservation. As a member of the Oglala Lakota Nation, Sierra believes that "water is life." But, the Lakota must fight for this basic resource. On this episode of AMDG, guest host MegAnne Liebsch talks to Paisley Sierra about her community's battle for land and water rights. We also hear from key Jesuit partners on the frontlines of this fight, including President of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, Rodney Bordeaux, Fr. Peter Bisson, SJ, and Sr. Priscilla Solomon, CSJ and Ojibway First Nations. Interested in how the Jesuits are working for environmental justice across the world? Join the Global Ignatian Prayer Vigil for the Season of Creation on September 25 at 8pm ET. Go to www.breathingtogether.jesuits.global to learn more. This episode was produced and edited by MegAnne Liebsch.

On last week’s episode, we talked to Australian Jesuit Fr. Michael Hansen about the First Spiritual Exercises – otherwise known as the 18th Annotation Retreat – and dug into how this seemingly forgotten form of the Exercises can transform our thinking and approach to Ignatian Spirituality. Think of this week as “part 2”. Fr. Rob McChesney discovered the 18th Annotation Retreat only recently. He’s just back from three years working with the Jesuit Refugee Service in Amman, Jordan, and he’s reflecting on how the Jesuits might better minister to victims of trauma: refugees, war veterans, survivors of sexual abuse, and others. For Rob, the light bulb went off when he came upon Fr. Hansen’s work on the first spiritual exercises. Today's conversation is about applying Ignatian spirituality in general and the 18th annotation in particular to meet the needs of some of the most vulnerable members of our human family. Hopefully it gives you something to chew on, especially as you consider ways to put your own Ignatian contemplation into action. You can find more great spirituality resources at Jesuits.org/spirituality. And if you're interested in getting in touch with Fr. Rob to learn more and help him with his work, contact him at [email protected].

AMDG hosts Mike Jordan Laskey (dad to three young kids) and Eric Clayton (two young kids) welcome America Magazine executive editor Kerry Weber (three young kids) to discuss trying to parent intentionally in the pandemic. The author of the modern spiritual classic "Mercy in the City," Kerry is incredibly thoughtful and so committed to her faith. Part podcast and part group therapy session, we hope any fellow parents of young kids out there get something out of this conversation. (If you don’t have young ones, enter this episode at your own risk!) Essay by Kerry on bringing her son to a Catholic day of action that's discussed on the show: https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2019/07/22/why-i-took-my-3-year-old-catholic-day-action-immigrant-children Don't forget to subscribe to AMDG wherever you listen to podcasts.

The idea of going on pilgrimage might sound preposterous to our pandemic mindset. Just getting groceries feels like pilgrimage enough! Fr. Brendan McManus, SJ, a Jesuit priest from Northern Ireland, is an expert pilgrim. And not so long ago, he went on the Ignatian Camino, the route that traces St. Ignatius' steps through Spain. He wrote a book about it: The Way to Manresa. And what he learned on his journey is applicable to each of us today -- even if our own pilgrimages are from the couch to the kitchen.

On August 4, 2020, an explosion devastated the city of Beirut, the capital city – and the largest city – in Lebanon. At least 160 people were killed and more than 5,000 people injured. Homes were destroyed – and countless people suddenly found themselves without any shelter, food or water. Cultural artifacts and historic buildings vanished. And this on top of a global pandemic, a crumbling economy, protests in the streets and a burgeoning number of refugees fleeing to Lebanon seeking safety. For better or worse, the people of Lebanon know what to do when they hear explosions – the decades-long civil war instilled in them a muscle memory that wasn’t easily forgotten. But adding one trauma on top of another is emotionally and spiritually exhausting. Mental health is just as fragile as physical safety. The Jesuits of Beirut have been responding as best they can, accompanying the people in this moment of darkness. On today's episode, Fr. Dan Corrou, SJ, the newly appointed director of the Jesuit Refugee Service in the Middle East, invites us into that moment when the explosion first hit, painting a vivid picture of pain and suffering but also of resilience and hope. And he details how the Ignatian family is responding. Ultimately, Fr. Dan reminds each of us that Jesus is still present—particularly in these moments of brokenness. If you’d like to support the people of Beirut in this moment of brokenness, you can visit www.jrsusa.org/beirut.

Cardinal Michael Czerny leads the Vatican’s Migrants and Refugees section. A Canadian Jesuit, he was stunned to hear last fall that Pope Francis was naming him a cardinal because he wasn’t even a bishop at the time. The surprising decision by the Holy Father was yet another example of how migrants have been so close to Pope Francis’ heart throughout his papacy. Cardinal Czerny and host Mike Jordan Laskey discuss that pivotal day when then-Father Czerny learned his life was changing forever, plus the impact of the pandemic on migrants around the world and what message the cardinal wanted to share with the 20 Jesuits he ordained in Rome this summer. Subscribe to AMDG wherever you get podcasts.