America Magazine - The Jesuit Review

12/23/2024

Destitute South Africans and migrants risk their lives in illegal mines—and are exploited by criminal gangs

In the small town of Stilfontein, some 90 miles from the city of Johannesburg, South Africa, hundreds, possibly thousands, of illegal miners have been underground in an abandoned mine shaft for more…

12/23/2024

What better way to celebrate Christmas than to have faith in things unseen, to find hope in a child.

12/23/2024

Pope Francis delivers Christmas greeting to Roman Curia: ‘Speak well of others’

In Francis’ 12th Christmas address to the Roman Curia, he reminded them, “An ecclesial community lives in joyful and fraternal harmony to the extent that its members walk the path of humility.”

12/23/2024

‘What Child is This?’ brings us closer to Christ and the mystery of His birth. Listen to this episode of "Hark!" now:

While “What Child Is This?” is an explicitly Christmas song, the tune speaks to the mystery of identity and purpose—questions that transcend religious boundaries and appeal to the human experience.

12/23/2024

When and where to watch Pope Francis’ Christmas liturgies

With the opening of the Holy Year 2025, Pope Francis’ schedule of liturgies in December and January has expanded.

12/23/2024

Biden commutes 37 death row sentences before Trump can resume executions

President Joe Biden announced on Monday that he is commuting the sentences of 37 of the 40 people on federal death row, converting their punishments to life imprisonment.

12/23/2024

Scripture Reflection: What will this child be?

A Reflection for Monday of the Fourth Week of Advent, by Michael J. O’Loughlin

12/22/2024

We have an instinct toward warmth and light, both spiritually and physically. Yet we sometimes forget, or perhaps choose to ignore, that Jesus was born in the midst of the darkness.

When both the literal and the spiritual darkness of the world feels overwhelming, we must not turn away.

12/22/2024

Father James Martin: Here are five others from my book Between Heaven and Mirth, where we Jesuits are usually (as is appropriate) the object of some ribbing.

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.

12/22/2024

Catholic parents: It’s O.K. to let your kids believe in Santa

Every encounter with Santa Claus is a chance to teach our kids about a deep love for Jesus.

12/22/2024

Father James Martin: My 5 favorite jokes about Jesuits (inspired by Pope Francis)

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.

12/22/2024

Why I stopped listening to ‘Last Christmas’—and how it won me back

If God can work through both the rich and the poor, the meek and the mighty, surely God can also work through all types of music and art.

12/22/2024

Get in the Christmas spirit! Listen to this episode of "Hark! The stories behind our favorite Christmas carols" now:

My favorite carols are often among the least known.

12/21/2024

Listen to this "Hark!" episode: ‘The Little Drummer Boy’ reminds us we all have gifts to share this Advent

The Advent season prepares us for the incredibly humble journey of Jesus’ birth. This carol provides another dimension of this humility.

12/21/2024

Faith on film: ‘Miracle on 34th Street’ is about believing without proof

We have all heard that “blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” “Miracle on 34th Street” suggests that we must believe in order to see.

12/21/2024

Jean Charlot amassed much of the Met’s entire collection of almost 2,000 Mexican prints and illustrated books. He was also a committed Roman Catholic who spent much of his long career making devotional and liturgical art. see more

Jean Charlot was the friend and peer of Diego Rivera, David Alfaro Siqueiros and other now-renowned Mexican muralists. But in one important way, he was not one of them.

12/21/2024

Review: In ‘The Brutalist,’ a Holocaust survivor encounters the (very) dark side of the American Dream

“The Brutalist” harkens back to a golden age of bravura filmmaking while pushing forward toward new cinematic possibilities through provocative storytelling.

12/21/2024

Today's Scripture Reflection: The Incarnation matters

A Reflection for Saturday of the Third Week of Advent, by Eric Gregory