In 'The 272: The Families Who Were Enslaved and Sold to Build the American Catholic Church,' Rachel Swarns tells of “one of the largest documented slave sales in the nation," the Jesuit sale of 272 enslaved persons in 1838.

In recent years, several books have attempted to piece together what really happened behind the doors of power in Ireland's Magdalene laundries, including Emer Martin’s novel 'The Cruelty Men,' Claire Keegan’s novella 'Small Things Like These,' and new collection of essays, 'A Dublin Magdalene Laundry: Donnybrook and Church-State Power in Ireland,' edited by Mark Coen, Katherine O’Donnell and Maeve O’Rourke.

Dr. Edward Eismann structured Unitas around surrogate families—groups of teens and younger children assigned to care for each other in cascading mentorship that also supported birth families. As they spoke at the funeral home, those who had grown up in Unitas testified to its profound influence in their life.

In times of reflection, when Francis of Assisi asked himself what would be the most important qualities for his followers to have, he would focus on one or another of the brothers who were already by his side. I, too, have a list of virtues that I prize. Mine, however, is a list of what I want to see in those I have to deal with when I am trying to get things done.

Preparations for the upcoming Synod have prompted an important question: How might the local church of the United States become a powerful witness of the good news amid cries for racial healing and justice?

The story of how one Iraqi refugee preserved the memory of home through her art.

The children and teens of Quitasueños can also take recreational classes, like hip-hop, dance and drama; and the center organizes summer camps in the mountains. Oh, and one more thing. The young people learn about God.

The United States needs to repent and believe. Until then, there will be no justice for immigrants, neither here nor in their home countries.

Sam Sawyer, S.J., returns from his tertianship in South Africa to his role as editor in chief.

In her feature, Cecilia González-Andrieau explores the potential of the Catholic Church. The article elicited numerous responses from our readers.