Jesuits of Canada and the United States

On this day in 1535, St. Peter Faber, SJ, one of the first companions of St. Ignatius, said his first Mass in Paris; he was the first of the companions to be ordained a priest. ow.ly/j10p50PiP5V

Fr. Phillip Ganir, SJ, celebrated 25 years in the Society of Jesus with a Mass July 14 at St. Elizabeth Church in Aiea, Hawaii, his parish growing up. Fr. Ganir said he has “nothing but gratitude for this life.”

Fr. Phillip Ganir, SJ, Celebrates 25th Anniversary as a Jesuit at Hometown Parish - West Province Fr. Phillip Ganir, SJ, celebrated 25 years in the Society of Jesus with a Mass July 14 at St. Elizabeth Church in Aiea, Hawaii.

In the latest "Now Discern This," Eric A. Clayton reflects on a trip to the Sistine Chapel and how the art reminded him that God is within reach.

Now Discern This: God Within Reach - Jesuits.org In this week's "Now Discern This," Eric A. Clayton reflects on a trip to the Sistine Chapel and how the art reminded him God is within reach.

Legendary comedian Bob Newhart passed away July 18 at age 94. Newhart was Jesuit educated at Saint Ignatius College Prep - Chicago and Loyola University Chicago. May he rest in peace.

Read more about his journey from Loyola business student to American comedy icon: https://ow.ly/jYo050SG1TY

On the left, he’s pictured with Saint Ignatius students during a 2011 visit to campus. On the right is Newhart receiving the Sword of Loyola in 1975, pictured with former Loyola President James Maguire, SJ. (Photo: Loyola University Chicago Digital Special Collection)

Congratulations to Fr. Patrick Nolan, SJ, vocations director of Jesuits East, who professed final vows in the Society June 7. In his homily, Fr. Nolan paid tribute to his parents for the seeds of prayer and example they planted in him. Read his homily: ow.ly/yBYo50SCCtH

On the new AMDG podcast, our guest is Scott Moringiello, an associate professor of religious studies at DePaul University, who has taught hundreds of Gen Z kids from varied religious backgrounds about the Catholic faith. He discusses the role of a liberal arts education in the world of ChatGPT and more. https://ow.ly/MZ2Z50SEog0

Everyday Ignatian: Photo Divina, or how to pray with throwback photos: https://ow.ly/fC8P50SChzL

My (Jesuit) Life in Five Films: These five films have stayed with Fr. Jake Martin, SJ, and continue to remind him of distinct moments in his life.

My (Jesuit) Life in Five Films These five films have stayed with Fr. Jake Martin, SJ, and continue to remind him of distinct moments in his life.

Today is the feast of St. Kateri Tekakwitha, the first Native American saint. She sought out Jesuit missionaries to baptize her because of how much their preaching moved her.

She is the patron saint of ecology and Native Americans.

Fr. Eric Immel, SJ, and Matthew Zurcher, SJ, competed on "Beat Shazam," a Jamie Foxx-hosted game show about identifying songs as fast as you can for a shot at $1 million. Zurcher shared a bit about the Jesuits and their mission with Foxx.

Xavier’s Matthew Zurcher, S.J., competes on 'Beat Shazam' Xavier University is a private university located in Cincinnati, Ohio, providing a liberal arts education in the Jesuit Catholic tradition.

In the latest "Everyday Ignatian," Catherine Sullivan shares what her daughter's birthday party taught her about community.

Everyday Ignatian: A Community For and With Others - Jesuits.org

This week Messina College at Boston College welcomed its inaugural class. Its mission is to give first-generation college students a traditional, liberal arts college experience, with the academic and social benefits that come with communal life and study.

Amid rising tuition and inflationary pressures, a new college run by BC opens its doors to low-income students - The Boston Globe Among them is Michael Melo, a Roxbury teen who lives in public housing with his sister. “I never thought I would see myself going to college,” he said.

In honor of the upcoming Summer Olympics, we’re thrilled to welcome swimmer & five-time Olympic medalist Missy Franklin onto the AMDG pod. At her Olympic debut in 2012, she was a student at Regis Jesuit High School, and she shares how the school community supported her. https://ow.ly/Iazv50SyLkz

Today is the feast of Sts. Leo Ignatius Mangin, Mary Zhu Wu and companions. St. Leo Mangin was a French Jesuit missionary in China who was killed during the Boxer rebellion. Mary Zhu Wu died using her body to shield the priest from gunfire.

Fr. Joseph P. Riordan, SJ, of Jesuits East, has been named the ninth president of Campion College at the University of Regina, effective July 1, 2025. https://ow.ly/HhMs50SwmPO

In this week's "Now Discern This," Eric A. Clayton invites us to ask God how we might become Ignatian storytellers and further our shared mission of reconciling the world to God, self, neighbor and creation.

Now Discern This: Share the Story - Jesuits.org

Meet Fr. Brendan Coffey, SJ, who was ordained a priest last month. He first met the Society at St. Joseph's Prep and continued his Jesuit education at Fordham University. He will teach at Fairfield Prep this fall. https://ow.ly/EQRb50SwmNF

Today we remember Fr. Stan Swamy, SJ, on the third anniversary of his death. As a Jesuit priest, he worked for the rights of marginalized communities in India for 50 years and died as a prisoner after being unjustly incarcerated for his work as a human rights activist.

"Freedom is the gift of being able to choose the good: this is true freedom." -Pope Francis

Happy Fourth of July from the Jesuits!

On the new AMDG pod, our guest is Fabian Debora, an accomplished visual artist and former gang member who started Homeboy Art Academy, a Homeboy Industries initiative that engages at-risk youth and adults in art as a tool for healing and transformation. https://ow.ly/vvEr50SuzfH

Today the Society of Jesus celebrates the feast of St. John Francis Regis, a 17th-century French Jesuit known for his missionary efforts and his care for the poor and marginalized, especially at-risk women and orphans. ow.ly/tXJj50JN9S3

Join Loyola Press this month for 31 Days with St. Ignatius, a monthlong celebration of Ignatian spirituality leading up to his feast day on July 31: https://ow.ly/cOha50SsS7e

Happy International Asteroid Day! There are more than 30 asteroids named after Jesuits, including Br. Guy Consolmagno, SJ, director of the Vatican Observatory.

Watch our Jesuit Book Club with Br. Guy, where he discusses faith and science and whether he would baptize an extraterrestrial: https://ow.ly/AmjP50P1ulK

Congratulations to Jesuit Fathers Jude Forbi, Brook Stacey and Matthew Hendzel, who were ordained to the priesthood June 15 in Toronto. The diverse congregation and music, including a Cameroonian choir made up of friends and former classmates of Fr. Forbi, created a vibrant atmosphere. Read more: https://ow.ly/wL4U50SrZyM

Meet our ordinands: jesuits.org/ordination

Did you know a Jesuit is considered one of the fathers of astrophysics? Fr. Angelo Secchi, SJ, born on this day in 1818, was a pioneer in astronomical spectroscopy and one of the first scientists to state authoritatively that the sun is a star. Learn more about his life: ow.ly/SGSo50FjVwR

The emergence of the cicadas led Michael O’Connell back to Annie Dillard, who continually reminds him of his own need for silence and careful attention.

The Sound of Silence (or, On Not Hearing the Cicadas) - Jesuit Media Lab The emergence of the cicadas led Michael O'Connell back to Annie Dillard, who continually reminds him of his own need for silence and careful attention.

“The Holy Spirit provides.” This is one of the central mantras of the Migrant Familia program at the Jesuits' Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Washington, D.C. The program provides crucial support to newly arrived migrants.

On the new AMDG podcast, our guests are Ashley Klick, coordinator of the Familia program, and two of its graduates, Julien Patrick Tete Wabo and Miguel Flores, who fled political persecution in Cameroon and Nicaragua, respectively. https://ow.ly/2AKm50Sq6rs

We’re proud to announce that our Jesuit Conference’s Office of Communications and Vocation Promotion team won 15 Catholic Media Awards this year from the Catholic Media Association, including for our new Jesuit Media Lab website and the AMDG podcast.

Jesuit Conference Communications Staff Wins 15 Catholic Media Awards We’re proud to announce that the Jesuit Conference won 15 2024 Catholic Media Awards, including first place for the new Jesuit Media Lab website.

On this day in 1537, Ignatius, Francis Xavier and several of their companions were ordained priests in Venice.