AMDG: A Jesuit Podcast

If you've ever been to a Jesuit institution, chances are you've been told to, "Go and set the world on fire." You’ve perhaps walked down halls lined with the text of St. Ignatius’ famous prayer for generosity. And you may have been moved by Fr. Pedro Arrupe’s well-known prayer about falling in love. But did you know none of those things were ever said? At least, not in the way you think. Today's g...

If you’ve been trying to read more these days, then this episode is for you. Our guest is author Nick Ripatrazone, whose latest book is titled “Longing for an Absent God: Faith and Doubt in Great American Fiction.” In the book, Nick explores how two major strands of Catholic writers--practicing and cultural--intertwine and sustain each other. Nick talked in-depth with host Mike Jordan Laskey about...

Last month, the journalist and Pope Francis biographer Austen Ivereigh sent a detailed list of themes and questions to the Holy Father about the COVID-19 pandemic. Austen figured he wouldn’t hear back. Luckily for us, he was 100% wrong about that. Not only did Pope Francis respond to Austen’s questions, but he sent a long, extremely thoughtful audio recording. His responses make up perhaps the mos...

Earth Day 2020 is Wednesday, April 22. Though it will be different this year, as so many shelter at home amidst a global pandemic, our Gospel call to care for creation remains the same. This brief meditation will help you listen to creation and reflect on how you might take part in climate action no matter where you are. Reflection written and read by Eric Clayton

It's coronavirus counter-programming time! Back in early March, before the craziness hit North America, Fr. Tim Kesicki, SJ, president of the Jesuit Conference, sat down with host Mike Jordan Laskey in person (!) for a breezy chat about things like Fr. Tim's favorite dumb accomplishment and what law he'd enact if he was king of his own make-believe country. Also, a funny story about the time he ch...

"Father, into your hands I commend my spirit." This is the final in our series on the Seven Last Words of Jesus with Fr. Tim O'Brien, SJ.

Though the Church invites us to move from the forty days of Lent into the season of Easter, in this era of pandemic, lock downs and quarantines, many of us may feel as though Lent marches on. Today's guests, authors Brendan McManus, SJ, and Jim Deeds, provide some spiritual solace for us in this time, inspired by their aptly named book, "Finding God in the Mess." Formed in the Troubles of Northern...

"It is finished." In this penultimate reflection on the 7 Last Words of Jesus, Fr. Tim reflects on death -- and ultimately, why death invites us to hope.

As we face today's pandemic, what we can learn from the 14th Century's Bubonic Plague? Plenty, according to Kean University medieval historian Chris Bellitto. Parallels abound, from the scapegoating of certain communities in both eras to the impact of wealth inequality on who can "socially distance." On the more hopeful side, reflecting on the innumerable faith leaders who gave their lives ministe...

"I thirst." Amid the current global pandemic, we might find these words of Jesus on our own lips. For what do we thirst in this moment?

Since the time of Ignatius, the Jesuits have been on mission. The legacies of Jesuit missionaries like Francis Xavier and Matteo Ricci inspire generation after generation of Jesuits to journey to the margins, to accompany the excluded and to work for a more just, peaceful world. Today’s Jesuits are no different. In this final part of our three-part series, the Jesuit Mission in Jordan, Eric Clayto...

"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" Amid the current global pandemic, we might find these words of Jesus on our own lips. Rather than shake our fists in despair, let us find solace in uniting our words with Christ's.

Fr. Michael Rozier, SJ, is a public health professor at St. Louis University. He talked with host Mike Jordan Laskey about approaching the coronavirus as a health professional and priest, Catholic social justice teachings that apply to responses to the pandemic, and the fascinating history of Catholic healthcare.

Fr. Jim Martin, SJ, reflects on how we can draw on the tradition of Ignatian spirituality to respond to the coronavirus pandemic with faith, hope and love.

"Woman, this is your son" . . . "This is your mother." This is the third of the 7 Last Words of Jesus, and the third in our Lenten audio reflections. Fr. Tim O'Brien, SJ, a Jesuit of the Maryland Province, leads us in meditating on how we see the cross in our everyday lives.

About two weeks ago, before Italy's national lockdown, Fr. Paddy Gilger, SJ, traveled to Milan -- epicenter of Europe's coronavirus outbreak to this point. He's still there. Host Mike Jordan Laskey talks to Paddy about the mood in the city plus how as Christians we can respond to fear with compassion and hope.

Since the time of Ignatius, the Jesuits have been on mission. The legacies of Jesuit missionaries like Francis Xavier and Matteo Ricci inspire generation after generation of Jesuits to journey to the margins, to accompany the excluded and to work for a more just, peaceful world. Today’s Jesuits are no different. In part two of our three-part series, the Jesuit Mission in Jordan, Eric Clayton sits...

"Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise" This is the second of the 7 Last Words of Jesus, and the second in our Lenten audio reflections. Fr. Tim O'Brien, SJ, a Jesuit of the Maryland Province, leads us in meditating on how we see the cross in our everyday lives.

Since the time of Ignatius, the Jesuits have been on mission. The legacies of Jesuit missionaries like Francis Xavier and Matteo Ricci inspire generation after generation of Jesuits to journey to the margins, to accompany the excluded and to work for a more just, peaceful world. Today’s Jesuits are no different. In part one of our three-part series, the Jesuit Mission in Jordan, Eric Clayton takes...

"Father, forgive them, they know not what they do." This is the first of the 7 Last Words of Jesus, and the first in our Lenten audio reflections. Fr. Tim O'Brien, SJ, a Jesuit of the Maryland Province, leads us in meditating on how we see the cross in our everyday lives.

We’ve all heard the expression: God works in mysterious ways. It sounds a little cheesy, a little trite. But the conversation you’re about to hear is a result of exactly that mystery at work. It was not a small amount of serendipity that saw guest host Eric Clayton talking with dr. timone davis at such a crossroads moment: the end of Black History month and the beginning of Lent. And as they delve...

Ash Wednesday is THIS Wednesday. And that means we're nearly at the beginning of the season of Lent. Each week of Lent, AMDG will feature reflections from Fr. Tim O'Brien, SJ, on the Seven Last Words of Jesus, a traditional Lenten meditation. Every Monday, a new reflection — no more than three minutes in length — will pop up in your feed. Our prayer for you is that these brief reflections help anc...

Our very special guest is Fr. Arturo Sosa, who is the 31st Superior General of the Society of Jesus -- the leader of the Jesuits worldwide. Fr. Sosa is originally from Venezuela, where he was a political science professor and the provincial superior for a time. He’s the first person born in South America to lead the Jesuits, and he has been serving in the role since 2016, when his Jesuit brothers...

We Americans are obsessed with work. We want meaning in our work. We want work to align perfectly with our values. It’s a badge of honor to tell people how busy we are. And one of the nicest things you can say about someone is that they’re a hard worker. What if we have it all wrong? What if our relationship to work is dysfunctional? And maybe even demonic? Guest Jonathan Malesic has written exten...

One great thing about Ignatian spirituality is how practical it is: Faith isn’t a separate part of your life you observe only on Sundays. Instead, Jesuit tradition talks about finding and serving God in all things and places – including where you work. Mike Barkley is all about bringing Ignatian Spirituality into his everyday life. Mike is the CEO at KIND snacks, the company that makes those grano...