James Martin, SJ

Trump’s war on D.E.I. is an attack on three biblical virtues As a longtime biblical scholar, I believe the enemies of D.E.I. fail to recognize that diversity, equity and inclusion characterize God’s actions throughout the Bible.

From the great Richard J. Clifford, SJ, one of the world's leading biblical scholars: "Trump’s war on D.E.I. is an attack on three biblical virtues."
www.americamagazine.org/short-take/2...

Thanks from all of us at Outreach for your prayers and financial support! outreach.faith/support-us/

Dear friends: I try not to ask for donations too often, but today I'm asking for some financial help for our Outreach ministry, which helps LGBTQ Catholics feel more at home in their church. And this year we have some special "prizes"! You can give here. outreach.faith/support-us/?...

The work of Outreach, the LGBTQ Catholic ministry, is not possible without your prayers and financial support. Those who donate to Outreach this Giving Tuesday will also be entered in a drawing to receive a handmade item. Thank you! outreach.faith/support-us/

A Thanksgiving Prayer for Nearly Everyone ‘Now, I know I’m not the most grateful person you know, God, so let me take some time to tell you what I’m thankful for.’

Dear friends: Happy Thanksgiving!

May you find gratitude in your hearts today.

Here is a Thanksgiving Day prayer that I hope you find helpful.

www.americamagazine.org/faith/2017/1...

Father James Martin: This Thanksgiving, don’t feast on despair In difficult times, it is tempting to say, “Thankful for what?” But the message of the Resurrection is that hope is stronger than despair.

Can you celebrate #Thanksgiving if you're feeling hopeless or despairing? A meditation on gratitude in tough times. www.americamagazine.org/faithinfocus...

Christ is my king. But what kind of king is he? - Outreach Our desire for a mighty king (or queen) is not surprising. But that desire is almost always misplaced.

Christ is my king. But what kind of king do we find in the Gospels? Not one concerned with outward signs of power, but one that rules by way of service, poverty and humility. A meditaton on today's Solemnity outreach.faith/2025/11/chri...

Work in Progress by James Martin In this humorous memoir, New York Times bestselling author Father James Martin tells the story of a busboy, dishwasher, caddy, usher, factory worker, bank teller, and corporate tool and, finally, a Je...

More info here!
www.harpercollins.com/pages/jamesm...

Finally, there are some 1960s "flower-power" images on the cover as well. Frankly, it's my favorite cover for any of my books.

Last week I finished recording the audio book, and so on Feb. 3, you'll be able to read the book in print, as an ebook and via audio.

As for the colors, at one point, I mentioned that seemingly all the kitchens of my friends' houses in the 1970s were decorated in either "Harvest Gold" or "Avocado Green," and the designers picked up on that.

Second, the film strip that the designers chose for the cover image fell out of a journal I had kept in 1976, to record what I expected to be the monumentally historic events of the Bicentennial, and which I rediscovered when my mom was moving out of our house after living there for 50 years.

Some backstory on the design: To begin with, the publisher decided to use an unusual author photo--from the eighth grade--since the book is a coming-of-age tale.

Delighted to share the final, full cover of "Work in Progress." I'm so grateful to @harperonebooks.bsky.social and the designer Julia DiMarzo-Cohen for a fun cover!

Work in Progress: Confessions of a Busboy, Dishwasher, Caddy, Usher, Factory Worker, Bank Teller, Corporate Tool, and Priest by James Martin In this sweet memoir, Jesuit priest Martin (Learning to Pray) reminisces about the summer jobs that prepared him for his calling...

Happy to share this lovely (early) review of "Work in Progress," by Publishers Weekly, often used by libraries and bookstores in helping to choose purchases. Thanks to PW for reviewing a book that takes place largely at P-W (Plymouth-Whitemarsh High School)! www.publishersweekly.com/9780062694485

Great to meet so many students, teachers and campus ministers from Catholic (mainly Jesuit) high schools and colleges at the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice this weekend. Also great to hear Greg Boyle, SJ, my Jesuit brother and hero, who gives hope! #iftj @ignatiansolidarity.bsky.social

Why does Jesus warn us about the end times? - Outreach Jesus' warnings concerning the end times call us to live faithfully, every moment of the day.

Jesus's warnings about the "end times" call us to faithfully live out our call as Christians every day. A meditation on today's powerful Gospel reading. outreach.faith/2025/11/why-...

A priest’s reflection on confession and LGBTQ Catholics - Outreach For one priest, the perseverance and courage of LGBTQ people who come to confession is a model for the whole church.

A priest’s reflection on confession and LGBTQ Catholics

outreach.faith/2025/11/a-pr...

Why are traditionalists on Catholic Twitter still so obsessed with James Martin? After participating in "Good Morning America" co-anchor Gio Benitez's confirmation Mass, some conservative Catholics unleashed a barrage of online attacks on Jesuit Fr. James Martin. Martin's crime? B...

Hahaha! Good question!

www.ncronline.org/opinion/ncr-...

Finished today reading the audiobook of "Work in Progress: Confessions of a Busboy, Dishwasher, Caddy, Usher, Factory Worker, Bank Teller, Corporate Tool, and Priest" due out from @harperonebooks.bsky.social in February. Hope you enjoy it!

More info here: www.harpercollins.com/pages/jamesm...

YouTube video by America - The Jesuit Review The Immigrant Saint: Mother Cabrini

On her Feast Day, a video pilgrimage to the Shrine of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, the remarkable woman renowned for her work with immigrants, especially in New York. Mother Cabrini, pray for us! www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDT_...

The Catholic Church: Ever Ancient, Ever New - Outreach The question comes up once a year: Why are we celebrating a feast for a building?

Why do we celebrate the dedication of a building today? A meditation on the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica, on the Gospel reading, and on the Catholic Church, which is ever ancient, ever new. outreach.faith/2025/11/the-...

Italian synodal assembly embraces openness to LGBTQ people - Outreach Synodal representatives in Italy voted overwhelmingly to accept documents calling for greater openness to LGBTQ people. Italian bishops will weigh in next.

Hopeful news from Italy! outreach.faith/2025/11/ital...

Happy Feast of the Saints and Blessed of the Society of Jesus! May they pray for you and be your models of Christian life. AMDG.

Image: Church of St. Ignatius Loyola in New York.

YouTube video by Diario AS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WARNED: Pope Leo CALLS for RELIGIOUS ACCESS for detained immigrants

News: Pope Leo XIV calls for "authorities to allow pastoral workers to attend to the needs" of people who have been detained. "Jesus says very clearly ... we're going to be asked: How did you receive the foreigner?"
youtu.be/ysfd_VcE0TI?...

YouTube video by Diario AS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WARNED: Pope Leo CALLS for RELIGIOUS ACCESS for detained immigrants

News: Pope Leo XIV calls for "authorities to allow pastoral workers to attend to the needs" of people who have been detained. "Jesus says very clearly ... we're going to be asked: How did you receive the foreigner?"
youtu.be/ysfd_VcE0TI?...

Dear friends: Apparently, there is a scam going on with emails supposedly from me asking for donations for victims of Hurricane Melissa. These are fake. If you would like to help hurricane victims, please give directly to Catholic Relief Services here: www.crs.org/donate/hurri...

The Spiritual Life with Fr. James Martin, S.J. Support The Spiritual Life by subscribing to America today. Subscribe

Dear friends: The Spiritual Life podcast, which just completed its first season, will be back in the New Year! In the meantime, why not catch up on the episodes you missed, on YouTube, Spotify and Apple podcasts. Thanks to everyone for their support and prayers! americamagazine.org/thespiritual...

ICE again prevents Chicago Catholics from bringing Eucharist to immigrant detainees More than 2,000 faithful gathered to pray outside the Broadview ICE Detention Center Nov. 1, but the group's main request — to bring Communion to detainees — was rejected by federal immigration offici...

After repeatedly requesting permission and following all the official guidelines, Catholic bishop, priests, sisters and lay people were refused permission to distribute Communion to migrants in ICE detention center, on All Saints Day. A religious freedom issue: www.ncronline.org/news/ice-aga...

Believe in the Afterlife - Outreach God has a place prepared for each of us, a place where we will dwell with God until the end of time.

Jesus helps us believe in the afterlife, by telling us (as in today's Gospel), showing us that he has power over death (in the Raising of Lazarus) and revealing what eternal life is like (in the Resurrection). A meditation on All Souls Day: outreach.faith/2025/11/beli...