Every Little Thing

Last week I received an email from a fellow Jesuit -- Fr Phil Hurley -- who works with the Apostleship of Prayer. Phil's message was a good one, but I was excited to read the way he signed his message. He closed with a "motto" added to his signature.

"The great secret, the great mystery is this: there is a heart of the world… and this heart is the heart of Christ.”

This is a quote from Fr. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, S.J. Fr Teilhard is one of my favorite Jesuit theologians. For him, the supernatural and physical come together in the radiant and loving Heart of Christ.

Years ago, I had the opportunity to visit the grave of Teilhard on a trip through New York state. I was very moved to find the marker and to reflect in the light of the sun. Understandably, many pilgrims before me stopped there to reflect on how rocks and things great and small all radiate the love and energy of God. So, I was not surprised to find little rocks and pebbles placed atop his tombstone. I did the same.

Click on this photo for a larger view. You'll notice by the date on the grave stone that today marks the 55th anniversary of Teilhard's passing.

Keep him close to you, Lord, and allow us each and every one to feel the warm fire of your Your loving Heart everywhere from the smallest photon to the closest Friend.



Thanks, Phil, for the reminder and the inspired invitation to access the power of this radiant Heart in our own prayer. For we are all apostles along the way.

Across the Universe

“A Jesuit’s vocation is to travel, our study is our worship, and our charism is to find God in all things.” — Father George Coyne, S.J.


I am a fan of public radio, and so I noticed that the latest issue of American Public Media’s Speaking of Faith program hosted two of our most notable Jesuits: Father George Coyne, S.J. and Brother Guy Consolmagno, S.J. Br. Guy is a friend of mine and a member of the Detroit Province, and Fr. Coyne entered from the Maryland Province. It is a truly entertaining and stimulating presentation. You can listen to a podcast or download this Speaking of Faith interview here.

Here’s an article from Wired about Fr. George Coyne, S.J.
Here you can watch a series of YouTube interviews with Fr. Coyne.

Read Br. Guy’s background at the website of the Vatican Observatory.
Watch a fascinating interview with Br. Guy about history, Galileo, science, techies, and the Church.
See Br. Guy interact with Stephen Colbert on The Colbert Report: Gold, Frankincense and Mars
Read Br. Guy’s Blog.

I might also mention that a Chicago Province Jesuit, Fr. Paul Mueller, S.J., formerly of Loyola University Chicago, has recently been appointed superior of the community at The Vatican Observatory. Fourteen Jesuits and a diocesan priest make up the community at Castel Gandolfo, outside Rome. Below are brief profiles of these two Jesuits and a few related links to their stories on the Internet. Check out the Vatican Observatory’s website here. Or meet the Jesuits who work at the Vatican Observatory. Peace to you during this Easter season.