Today in The New York Times, Pope Francis praised the value of joy, humor and laughter, and noted “jokes about and told by Jesuits are in a class of their own.” Here are 5 of my favorite.
James Martin, S.J.
The Rev. James Martin, S.J., is a Jesuit priest, author, editor at large at America and founder of Outreach.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Short Take
Father James Martin: Don’t celebrate murder
Perhaps even more shocking than the brazen killing of UnitedHealthcare C.E.O. Brian Thompson was the response in some places to this crime: celebration, lionization and valorization of the killer.
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
The synod was serious business. But there were also laughs along the way.
Flying bishops, eminent birthdays and getting lost in translation: Funny stuff that Father James Martin heard inside the synod hall.
Posted inFaith in Focus, Politics & Society
3 lessons from the synod for dealing with our post-election divisions
The fundamental insight of the synod was not only that attentive listening was helpful in decision making, but also that the Holy Spirit was at work in everyone.
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
Father James Martin: The conversions I had at the synod
For Catholics who want to see immediate changes in the church, the synod was an opportunity for conversion.
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
The (surprisingly positive) change toward L.G.B.T.Q. issues at the synod
“The second and final session of the Synod on Synodality has just concluded,” Father James Martin writes. “And what I noticed most this year is how much the attitude toward L.G.B.T.Q. issues has changed—and for the good.”
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Synodality—and ‘controversial’ issues—are here to stay: Takeaways from the Synod’s final document
Fr. James Martin shares his five insights from the synod’s final document, just approved by Pope Francis and published by the Vatican.
Posted inFaith, Synod Diary
Synod Diary: Father James Martin’s halftime report from inside the synod hall
We’re now halfway through the four weeks of the second session of the Synod on Synodality. And a fair question to ask is: What have we done?
Posted inFaith, Synod Diary
Father James Martin: What will happen at the synod’s final session? It’s up to the Holy Spirit.
Pope Francis has decided that this year, we will be discussing not any series of topics—clericalism women’s ordination to the diaconate, or ministry to L.G.B.T.Q. Catholics—but synodality itself.
Posted inFaith, Faith in Focus
I pray the Rosary every day—in my own way. So can you.
I suspect that there are other Catholics who may pray it in their own way, too. And, to my mind, any way you pray that leads you closer to God makes sense.