Hopeful news from Italy! outreach.faith/2025/11/ital...

Happy Feast of the Saints and Blessed of the Society of Jesus! May they pray for you and be your models of Christian life. AMDG. Image: Church of St. Ignatius Loyola in New York.

News: Pope Leo XIV calls for "authorities to allow pastoral workers to attend to the needs" of people who have been detained. "Jesus says very clearly ... we're going to be asked: How did you receive the foreigner?" youtu.be/ysfd_VcE0TI?...

News: Pope Leo XIV calls for "authorities to allow pastoral workers to attend to the needs" of people who have been detained. "Jesus says very clearly ... we're going to be asked: How did you receive the foreigner?" youtu.be/ysfd_VcE0TI?...

Dear friends: Apparently, there is a scam going on with emails supposedly from me asking for donations for victims of Hurricane Melissa. These are fake. If you would like to help hurricane victims, please give directly to Catholic Relief Services here: www.crs.org/donate/hurri...

Dear friends: The Spiritual Life podcast, which just completed its first season, will be back in the New Year! In the meantime, why not catch up on the episodes you missed, on YouTube, Spotify and Apple podcasts. Thanks to everyone for their support and prayers! americamagazine.org/thespiritual...

After repeatedly requesting permission and following all the official guidelines, Catholic bishop, priests, sisters and lay people were refused permission to distribute Communion to migrants in ICE detention center, on All Saints Day. A religious freedom issue: www.ncronline.org/news/ice-aga...

Jesus helps us believe in the afterlife, by telling us (as in today's Gospel), showing us that he has power over death (in the Raising of Lazarus) and revealing what eternal life is like (in the Resurrection). A meditation on All Souls Day: outreach.faith/2025/11/beli...

Delighted to share this new conversation with the incomparable writer, teacher and storyteller Brene Brown, beloved by millions. We have a wonderful conversation about God, Jesus and faith. I really appreciated her openness, vulnerability and humor! www.youtube.com/watch?v=jddN...

Why we're all in need of God's mercy. A meditation on today's Gospel: the Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. outreach.faith/2025/10/on-n...

News: Pope Leo XIV to the Jesuits: "The Church needs you at the frontiers -- whether they be geographical, cultural, intellectual or spiritual. These are places of risk, where familiar maps are no longer sufficient." www.vatican.va/content/leo-...

What is spiritual direction? Where can you find a director? We're asked these questions often on "The Spiritual Life" so I'm delighted to share this new episode with Paddy Gilger, SJ, a trained director. It's a test-run episode that was so helpful we're sharing it: www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOmA...

What happens when we don't get what we pray for? A meditation on today's Gospel reading, the Parable of the Persistent Widow. outreach.faith/2025/10/what...

Delighted to share a conversation with Br. Guy Consolmagno, SJ: Jesuit, scientist and, until recently, director of the Vatican Observatory. We talk about God, faith, reason, science, and why there is something rather than nothing at all. www.youtube.com/watch?v=LE_N...

From Kevin Clarke at America: "Eucharistic procession turned back by feds at Broadview ICE detention facility" www.americamagazine.org/dispatches/2...

The person you hate is someone to help, learn from, and even find salvation from. In today's Gospel, Jesus offers us, once again, a way out of division and polarization. outreach.faith/2025/10/the-...

Honored to be invited to reflect on how "Decree 4" of the Jesuits' 32nd General Congregation changed my life. As it happens, some of these themes, especially understanding structures that keep people poor, were taken up by Pope Leo XIV in "Dilexi te" www.sjesjesuits.global/sj-testimoni...

Dear friends: "Dilexi te" is Pope Leo's rich meditation on the call from both Jesus and the church over the ages to love and care for the poor. It's an invitation to prayer and action. Take time and read it for yourself and bring it to prayer. www.vatican.va/content/leo-...

"The fact that some dismiss or ridicule charitable works, as if they were an obsession on the part of a few and not the burning heart of the Church’s mission, convinces me of the need to go back and re-read the Gospel, lest we risk replacing it with the wisdom of this world.” Leo XIV in "Dilexi te"

Pope Leo XIV: "I often wonder, even though the teaching of Sacred Scripture is so clear about the poor, why many people continue to think that they can safely disregard the poor." "Dilexi te"

Delighted to share this lively (and fun!) conversation with the NYT bestselling novelist Adriana Trigiani, on the spirituality of showing up, her devotion to Mary and her love for the Eucharist. On the latest episode of "The Spiritual Life" podcast. www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7aD...

Pope Leo XIV today: "Brothers and sisters, those boats which hope to catch sight of a safe port, and those eyes filled with anguish and hope seeking to reach the shore, cannot and must not find the coldness of indifference or the stigma of discrimination!"

Jesus loves us, and with that love calls us to a high bar, of love, mercy and compassion. A meditation on today's Gospel, in which Jesus offers some challenging words to his disciples, and to us. outreach.faith/2025/10/are-...

Today, on the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, Pope Leo XIV signed his first apostolic exhortation, "Dilexit te" (He loved you), which will be released on Oct. 9. According to reports, this document was begun under the pontificate of Pope Francis and focuses on the poor.

Happy Feast of St. Therese of Lisieux, the Carmelite nun known as the "Little Flower." Here's a meditation on my favorite saint--and maybe yours too. www.americamagazine.org/faith/2010/1...

I'm so happy to share our conversation with Fr. Isaac Slater, OCSO, a Trappist monk who speaks to us about silence, prayer and, in particular, something we all probably struggle with: judging others. On the latest episode of "The Spiritual Life": www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDzj...

Cardinal Robert McElroy at the Mass for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees: “We are witnessing an unprecedented assault on our nation…this assault is intended to make life miserable for undocumented migrants…our government is engaged in a comprehensive campaign of fear at its core.”

Sometimes Jesus's parables are hard to understand. Not today. Ignore the poor not only at their peril--but yours. outreach.faith/2025/09/what...

Why do we work and minister with LGBTQ Catholics? Here (on video and as a text) is the brief reflection I offered at the Prayer Service at the Church of the Gesu in Rome, during the pilgrimage for LGBTQ Catholics a few weeks ago. outreach.faith/2025/09/watc...

Dear friends: I'm delighted to share a fascinating conversation with Mirabai Starr, an expert on mysticism and a translator of some of the works of St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Avila. It's the latest episode of "The Spiritual Life" podcast. www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0bN...

"Hear this, you who trample upon the needy!" (Amos 8:4-7). A reflection on this Sunday's readings, which focus the Christian response to the poor, to money and to God. outreach.faith/2025/09/hear...

Join us for our Friday faith sharing and Bible study today on my Facebook page at 3 PM ET, when we will discuss this Sunday's readings, including the first reading, from the Book of Amos: "Hear this, you who trample upon the needy and destroy the poor of the land!"

"We have to change attitudes before we ever change doctrine." Pope Leo XIV on LGBTQ people, in a new interview, published in conjunction with Elise Allen's new biography: www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwk1...

New: Bishop Francesco Savino: "Pope Leo urged me to celebrate Mass with LGBTQ Catholics." Outreach is honored to publish this historic homily, from the recent Mass at the Church of the Gesu in Rome. outreach.faith/2025/09/bish...

The comedian and writer @jimgaffigan.bsky.social on why we all occasionally feel like "frauds" in the spiritual life. NB: This article is available for @americamedia subscribers. "The Spiritual Life" podcast is free, on YouTube, Spotify and Apple podcasts. www.americamagazine.org/podcasts/202...

Delighted to share the latest episode of "The Spiritual Life," a lively (and very funny) conversation with @jimgaffigan.bsky.social on why he (sometimes) feels like a "fraud" when it comes to his Catholic faith (even though he's not). www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlYG...

Even if we don't take vows of obedience, as many in religious orders do, we're called to be obedient to God's desires for us, to emulate Jesus, and live a life of love and mercy. A meditation on the readings for the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross outreach.faith/2025/09/are-...

Cardinal Stephen Chow, SJ, on true discernment. How do we come to know God's desires for us? NB: This article is for America subscribers but our conversation on "The Spiritual Life" podcast, on YouTube, Spotify and Apple, is free! www.americamagazine.org/podcasts/202...

Dear friends: As a non-academic I was delighted to review this fascinating new book about Jesus as a boy, by the eminent scholar Joan Taylor, which relies on old sources but breaks new ground. It is, in places, riveting. www.americamagazine.org/books/2025/0...

What Sept. 11 teaches us about death and resurrection. youtu.be/5PZMm0phCGk?...

Delighted to share a wonderful conversation with one of my favorite people in the church, Cardinal Stephen Chow, SJ, Bishop of Hong Kong, on the latest episode of "The Spiritual Life." Especially helpful are his insights on vocation and discernment. www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Y-c...

New on Outreach: A reflection on six historic days for LGBTQ Catholics in Rome: outreach.faith/2025/09/jame...

Now available as an audiobook! Read by the author. I hope that this little book helps your prayer! www.audible.com/pd/In-All-Se...

What are God's dreams for you? A meditation on today's beautiful Gospel. outreach.faith/2025/09/what...

An immense, standing-room-only crowd of perhaps 1,200 people at the Prayer Service for LGBTQ Catholics at the Church of the Gesù in Rome tonight! We gathered in preparation for tomorrow's Mass at the Gesù and procession through the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica. Photo: Tiziano Fani Braga

New: "Father James Martin: Pope Leo’s message for LGBTQ Catholics." My reflections on my meeting with the Holy Father yesterday. outreach.faith/2025/09/fath...

Who can you ask to "come up higher" in your life? Most of us aren't callous enough shut outcasts out, but are there times when you could be more welcoming? A meditation on today's Gospel reading: outreach.faith/2025/08/who-...

I can't tell you how helpful Ron Rolheiser's books have been in my life, especially "Sacred Fire," which talks in depth about "staying the course." So I'm delighted to share this conversation on "The Spiritual Life," which is packed with spiritual wisdom. www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxB0...

Does Jesus know you? And do you know him? In today's Gospel, Jesus rejects some people from the reign of God by saying, "I don't know where you are from." Why does he say this? A meditation: outreach.faith/2025/08/does...

President Trump says he want to enter heaven. As a Catholic priest, I take that seriously. www.americamagazine.org/faithinfocus...