AMDG: A Jesuit Podcast

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.

If you were going to pick a Bible passage to turn to in these difficult times, which would you choose? How about the one in the Gospel of Matthew about the inefficacy of worrying? It’s a neat little tidy message from Jesus and such an important lesson. Today's guest, Old Testament Scripture scholar Professor Mahri Leonard-Fleckman from the College of the Holy Cross, picked three sections of the Bible she suggests visiting. And it’s safe to say none of them have a single tidy moral lesson at all. A big theme in Professor Leonard-Fleckman’s writing and teaching is that the Hebrew Scriptures are full of tension. They can be uncomfortable to read, especially when we approach them looking for the sort of straight-ahead ethical guidance we find in parts of the New Testament. But that challenge doesn’t mean the Hebrew Scriptures can’t be incredibly illuminating and consoling during this era of pandemic and social unrest. In this conversation, Mike and Professor Leonard-Fleckman’s dug into her three choices: the Book of Ecclesiastes, Psalm 91, and the story of King David. She also provided a great primer for how to approach reading the Hebrew Bible and shared a bit of her own amazing faith journey. She’s a brilliant scholar who’s also a clear and accessible teacher. Follow Dr. Leonard-Fleckman on Twitter: https://twitter.com/MahriFleckman

In honor of the Feast of St. Ignatius coming up on July 31, we’ve got a special Jesuit podcast crossover episode today. Ashley McKinless and Zac Davis are the hosts of Jesuitical, a podcast for young Catholics from America Media. They are real pioneers in the Catholic podcast world. They talked to host Mike Jordan Laskey about pandemic life in their shared adopted hometown of New York City, plus their favorite episodes of Jesuitical and what about the story of St. Ignatius inspires them the most. Then, they took turns drafting Jesuit alumni: Just like the NBA or NFL, they built teams of five people each who all went to a Jesuit high school, college or grad school. After you listen, check out @jesuitnews on Twitter to vote for who you think had the strongest overall team. Find Jesuitical wherever you listen to podcasts, on Twitter at @jesuiticalshow, or on Facebook at Jesuitical: A Podcast for Young Catholics. Draft format lovingly cribbed from Joe Posnanski's Poscast.

Scott Detrow is a political correspondent for NPR and a co-host of the incredibly popular NPR Politics Podcast. He's covering the Joe Biden campaign this year. He shared with AMDG host Mike Jordan Laskey what it's like to attend campaign events with a few dozen people in the room instead of a few thousand, plus some observations on the role of faith in both Donald Trump's and Joe Biden's campaigns. Also, Scott talked about the impact of his Jesuit education on his life and career (he's an alum of Marquette University High School and Fordham University). And stick around until the end for some scattered but very passionate reflections on the upcoming baseball season. More about Scott: https://www.npr.org/people/444796749/scott-detrow The NPR Politics Podcast: https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510310/npr-politics-podcast

Today's guest is Olga Segura, freelance writer from the Bronx who’s currently working on a book about race, the Black Lives Matter movement and the Catholic Church. Previously, Olga was an associate editor at America Magazine and the co-host of the podcast Jesuitical. Host Mike Jordan Laskey asked her about two pieces she wrote that came out this summer: first, a piece for America about how the Catholic Church can work for racial justice. Many Catholics want to do something to help address the sin of racism but we don’t always know where to start. Olga has some great tips for us. Second, Olga wrote a profile of the theologian and Fordham University professor Father Bryan Massingale, one of the leading voices on Black Catholicism. Olga talked about what struck her most about Fr. Massingale’s witness through the course of reporting her story. Subscribe to AMDG wherever you listen to podcasts.

One of the new pandemic phrases that has become ubiquitous over the past four months is essential workers. From health care to agriculture, these workers are helping to move society forward amid a pandemic that has brought much of the world to a halt. On this special episode of AMDG, guest host Caitlin-Marie Ward speaks with migrant essential workers, who tell stories of incredible sacrifice, courage and endurance. Facing harsh migration policies and increasing public health concerns, these migrants surmount extraordinary challenges and look with hope toward the future. As Honduran asylum seeker, Fredys likes to say, “Us immigrants, we came here for a purpose. God gave us the opportunity to be in this country. God has the final word.” This episode of AMDG is part of the Solidarity Across Borders Campaign, sponsored by the Jesuit Migration Network of Central and North America. To learn more about the campaign and the people featured in this episode, go to www.jesuits.org/migration. To help Jesuit ministries working with migrants, visit www.jesuits.org/donate2020. Special thanks to Holy Trinity Parish, Kino Border Initiative and Father Alfredo Zepeda and his colleagues at Radio Huaycoctla for conducting and sharing their interviews of some of the people featured in this episode. Host: Caitlin-Marie Ward Producer: MegAnne Liebsch Don’t forget to subscribe to AMDG wherever you listen to podcasts.

Today's guest is Dr. M. Shawn Copeland, professor emerita of theology at Boston College and one of the most distinguished religion scholars of our time. Dr. Copeland has written and spoken widely on a range of topics from theological anthropology to Black Catholicism to political theology. Her most recent book is "Knowing Christ Crucified: The Witness of African American Religious Experience." Dr. Copeland is a former President of the Catholic Theological Society of America, and she was the first Black theologian to hold that role. She is also recipient of the Society's highest honor, the John Courtney Murray Award. Host Mike Jordan Laskey asked her for her take on the rise in anti-racist protests around the country and beyond. They also discussed the ugly legacy of racism within the American Catholic Church, and how we can all work to make the church more just and equitable. Then, after their conversation, stay tuned for a fabulous new spirituality resource titled “An Examen for Racism" (46:30). The examen is one of the signature practices in Jesuit spirituality, and it typically involves reflecting on the events of your day, searching them for God’s presence and asking for the grace to grow in faith, hope and love. This particular examen invites us to search our hearts to reflect on how we participate in systemic racism. It also invites us to look forward to see how we might take a stand against racism in our own lives. Two Jesuits, Patrick Saint-Jean, SJ, and Christopher Alt, SJ, collaborated on this project. More about Dr. Copeland: https://www.bc.edu/content/bc-web/schools/mcas/departments/theology/people/retired-faculty/m-shawn-copeland.html Text version of "An Examen for Racism": https://jesuits.org/news-detail?TN=NEWS-20200617120944 Don’t forget to subscribe to AMDG wherever you listen to podcasts.

As the COVID-19 pandemic has descended upon the United States over the past three months, today's guest, Dr. Anthony Fauci, has become a household name thanks to his expertise and his clear and calm communication style. Though many of us have just learned about his work recently, Dr. Fauci has been in public service for decades, directing the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases since 1984. If there’s been a widespread infectious disease you’ve heard about, Dr. Fauci worked on it, from HIV to Ebola to Zika. His impact on public health both here and around the world is incalculable. Dr. Fauci is also a product of Jesuit education, and he credits his years at Regis High School in New York City and the College of the Holy Cross as helping to lay the groundwork for his career. Host Mike Jordan Laskey asks him what he found distinctive about his Jesuit education, what his typical day looks like mid-pandemic, and where we stand right now in our fight against this dreadful disease. Conversation recorded June 16, 2020. You can subscribe to AMDG wherever you listen to podcasts.

June 20 is World Refugee Day. While local headlines have taken over our consciousness even more than usual, our faith calls us to have a global vision. Plus, the COVID-19 pandemic has a disproportionate impact on those who are already vulnerable, including refugees. Many displaced persons live in close quarters in refugee camps or urban areas with limited access to healthcare. Global resettlement of refugees has been halted and international borders have been closed. All of these challenges pile up on the other challenges refugees face in the best of times. It’s why the world needs organizations like the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS), which serves people displaced from their homes in over 50 countries around the world. Guest Danielle Vella is the director of reconciliation for JRS, and she has written a book of stories from her encounters with refugees called "Dying to Live: Stories from Refugees on the Road to Freedom." Danielle is from the tiny Mediterranean island nation of Malta, and she sat down with host Mike Jordan Laskey on the last day of her US book tour in early March, right before COVID-19 began its assault on North America. She shares incredible stories from her book and how her faith inspires her work. Danielle's book, Dying to Live: https://www.jrsusa.org/dying-to-live/ JRS USA's World Refugee Day campaign: https://www.jrsusa.org/campaign/welcome-protect-world-refugee-day-2020/

Fr. Mario Powell, SJ, is a Jesuit priest and the president of Brooklyn Jesuit Prep, which is a middle school serving low-income families of diverse races, ethnicities and faiths in New York City. Last week, Fr. Mario wrote a piece for America, the Jesuit review, headlined “‘How long, O Lord?’ Psalm 13 is the cry of black Americans.” He and host Mike Jordan Laskey use that piece as a jumping-off point to discuss the police killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor and the enduring sin of racism in America. Fr. Mario is 38 years old and one of the youngest black Jesuit priests in the country, and he brings a vital perspective to this time of anguish and protest. Read Fr. Mario's piece in America: https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2020/06/03/how-long-o-lord-psalm-13-cry-black-americans Learn more about Brooklyn Jesuit Prep: http://www.brooklynjesuit.org/

Becky Eldredge knows what it means to turn a moment of intense suffering into a creative opportunity for God’s Spirit to work. In her latest book – “The Inner Chapel” – she applies Ignatian spirituality to the everyday struggles of ordinary people – and in so doing, encounters God. Eldredge, an accomplished author and spiritual director – and mother of three – shares with us her reflections on how the tools of St. Ignatius can be applied in our own time, amidst the ongoing pandemic, and the rebuilding that will ultimately ensue. Whether we’re feeling overwhelmed, lonely or just uncertain of ourselves, Eldredge reminds us that we can turn to God, enter into our inner chapels, and find rest. If you’re finding your prayer life to be a bit rocky these days, this episode – and the reflections and stories that Becky shares – are for you. Learn more about Becky and her work: https://beckyeldredge.com/

When California Governor Gavin Newsom wanted to assemble a task force on business and jobs recovery for the state, he turned to some usual suspects: Tim Cook of Apple, Bob Iger of Disney and former fed chair Janet Yellen, among others. But right toward the top of the alphabetical list of 80 some-odd prominent Californians is a Jesuit priest and today's guest Fr. Greg Boyle, SJ, the founder of Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles. If you’re not familiar with Homeboy’s work of empowerment and kinship with former gang members, you really have to pick up copies of Fr. Greg’s two memoirs, which are both spiritual instant classics: "Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion" and "Barking to the Choir: The Power of Radical Kinship." Host Mike Jordan Laskey asks Fr. Greg about what messages he wants to bring to the governor’s task force, and how he and Homeboy have been navigating this crazy time when their in-person ministry of compassion has been shaken up. Subscribe to AMDG wherever you get podcasts. Homeboy Industries: https://homeboyindustries.org/ More about Fr. Greg: https://homeboyindustries.org/our-story/father-greg/

Catholic parish leaders around the world have been grappling with the pandemic in a unique way: How do you function when your existence as a community is dependent on people gathering for worship, education, and service and social events? Host Mike Jordan Laskey poses this question and others to today's guest, Fr. John Whitney, SJ, who is the pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Seattle, the Jesuit parish there. As you might remember, the Seattle area was one of the earliest regions in North America to face the COVID-19 pandemic. Like so many others, the parish has come together (while apart) in dozens of beautiful ways. Fr. Whitney, who is the former provincial superior of what was then called the Oregon Province of the Jesuits, has loads of leadership experience to draw on in this hard time. His insight about how this experience has helped to empower the laity in some ways is fascinating to hear. Subscribe to AMDG wherever you listen to podcasts.

Our special guest is Senator Bob Casey, who has been representing the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in the Senate since 2007. In addition to being a dedicated public servant, Senator Casey has major Jesuit cred: He graduated from a Jesuit high school (Scranton Prep, Class of 1978). He graduated from a Jesuit college (The College of the Holy Cross, Class of 1982). Then, he spent a year with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, teaching and coaching basketball at the Gesu School in Philadelphia. Senator Casey and host Mike Jordan Laskey discuss the Senator's Jesuit education and how it prepared him for a career in public service. They also talked about the COVID-19 pandemic, and what roles he thinks the federal government should be playing in our response to this difficult time. And stick around until the end, when Mike asks Senator Casey to weigh in on one of Pennsylvania’s biggest culinary debates. It has to do with various forms of breakfast meat. If you like what you hear, you can subscribe to AMDG wherever you listen to podcasts. And tell your friends, especially residents of the Keystone State.