From left: Swimmer Katie Ledecky (Rob Schumacher, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters); long-distance runner Molly Seidel (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports via Reuters); Mariel Zagunis (Alessandro Bianchi, Reuters) and gymnast Simone Biles (Dylan Martinez, Reuters). Illustration by America staff.

Ten American Catholic athletes to watch for in the Tokyo Olympics

by Grace Doerfler, Amelia Jarecke and Chloe Gunther July 16, 2021

As Team U.S.A. heads to Tokyo, keep an eye on these athletes and all of the Olympians whose faith inspires them in competition.

Arts & Culture, Short Take

Baseball’s All-Star Game has a lot to teach American Catholics about Communion and unity

by J.D. Long García July 13, 2021

Intense competition can sometimes feel like clan warfare — and it’s all set aside in this celebration of baseball. The Catholic Church can learn from this game.

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Arts & Culture, Books

Review: Inside the very Catholic history of college basketball

by Jenny Shank March 19, 2021

John Gasaway examines the entire history of Catholic college basketball in the United States. We see just how many different teams, coaches and athletes have contributed to a reputation for basketball excellence, from the University of San Francisco to Georgetown, Gonzaga and Villanova.

Arts & Culture, Ideas

Your guide to the four Jesuit schools in this year’s March Madness

by Vincent Strand March 19, 2021

A Jesuit university, Gonzaga, is the #1 seed in the N.C.A.A. men’s basketball tournament. But three other Jesuit schools—Creighton, Loyola Chicago and Georgetown—are also poised for deep March Madness runs.

Arts & Culture, Books

Review: A baseball pilgrimage of spirituality, fatherhood and flawed humanity

by Gregory Hillis March 18, 2021

Most of the players Brad Balukjian met struggled with the shock of having to leave the game.

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News, Politics & Society

Sister Jean, Loyola Chicago’s #1 fan, returns to March Madness fully vaccinated

by Brian Roewe - Catholic News Service March 18, 2021

Sister Jean, who has been fully vaccinated, will travel to Indianapolis in time to watch the eighth-seeded Ramblers take on No. 9 seed Georgia Tech March 19.

Arts & Culture, Ideas

Meet your bicycle: the transportation incarnation of Catholic Social Teaching.

by John W. Miller March 16, 2021

Bicycles are theologically sound. Ask Pope Francis.

Arts & Culture, Books

Confronting Racism in Basketball and the Jesuits: The Extraordinary Life of Georgetown’s John Thompson

by Bill McGarvey March 15, 2021

John Thompson Jr.’s autobiography reflects its author’s personality: challenging, unapologetic and unsparingly acute in its observations beyond the basketball court.