Jesuits West

Pope Leo XIV published his landmark encyclical on artificial intelligence “Magnifica Humanitas” on May 25, comparing the attempt to build an AI future that excludes God to the “Tower of Babel.”

Fr. Tom Reese, SJ, a member of Jesuits West and senior analyst for RNS, said that Pope Leo “hit it out of the ballpark” with his first encyclical by addressing not only “artificial intelligence but more widely with digital technology and its impact on the real world we live in.”

Léocadie Lushombo, a professor of theological ethics at the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University, was part of the panel at the Vatican on May 25 for the encyclical’s release.

Lushombo said that it offers warnings about the effects of AI on humanity, especially in the Global South. She noted the encyclicals’ concerns regarding the physical and environmental toll of AI infrastructure, as child labor is often used in the extraction of rare earth elements in the developing world.

She also highlighted the pope’s criticism of “a technological development that represses human dignity and widens the gap between the rich and the poor, as AI is doing, following the patterns of economic globalization.”

“Technology should serve human flourishing and human dignity, not as a form of control over consciences,” she said.

Read more: https://ow.ly/IeHg50Z4Kk3

No, this is not the new crew at your local In-N-Out Burger!

It’s our Jesuits from the Casa Miguel Pro Jesuit Community in San Diego (with help from Chinh Nguyen, SJ, and Alex Phan, SJ) who make breakfast for the moms of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish on Mother’s Day. The community donates the food and asks for donations, typically raising between $4,000 and $5,000.

Fr. Matthew Yim, SJ, of Jesuits West, recently reflected on community and prayer in an interview with the Hawaii Catholic Herald:

One daily practice that continues to ground me is the Ignatian Examen. For me, the Examen is ultimately a prayer of gratitude. At the end of each day, I look back, notice at least one thing for which I am grateful, and thank God for it.

Sometimes I also recognize moments where I fell short or acted in ways that drew me away from God. Then I simply pray, “Tomorrow, God, help me do better.”

Read more: tinyurl.com/2svjcs2f

Congratulations to Fr. Phillip Ganir, SJ, of Jesuits West, who professed final vows in the Society of Jesus on April 25 at the Campion Center in Weston, Massachusetts, along with Fr. Timothy O’Brien, SJ. Both Jesuits are affiliated with the Boston College Clough School of Theology and Ministry: Fr. Ganir is an assistant professor of religious education, and Fr. O’Brien is a visiting fellow.

Fr. Ganir said he felt “very peaceful and joyful” to complete this part of his formation journey. “Anyone discerning a call to be a Jesuit should be prepared for the idea of lifelong formation, which was a foundational idea for St. Ignatius Loyola,” he explained. “That doesn’t mean we’re in classrooms the entire time, but we’re asked to be mindful of the ways the Lord is actively forming us all throughout our lives.”

Read more: tinyurl.com/frganir

Lamont Newell, a senior at Verbum Dei Jesuit High School in Los Angeles, was accepted to 65 colleges and plans to attend Columbia University in the fall.

Lamont said one critical key to his success has been the teachers at Verbum Dei. “My biology teacher, she's actually one of the directors in the robotics [team]. She also nominated me, my sophomore year, to go to NASA in Houston, which actually sparked my engineering [interest],” he said.

Verbum Dei President Fr. Travis Russell, SJ, said “Great education is not a mystery. It is dedicated teachers, real relationships, corporate partners who believe in our students, high standards, and the formation of character. Lamont’s success is his own — but it also reflects the excellence and resilience of the entire Verbum Dei brotherhood."

Watch the Good Morning America segment: tinyurl.com/2v4sc4cd

More than 400 students, educators, clergy and faith leaders from across California gathered in Sacramento April 19-20 for the Laudato Si’ Youth Advocacy Summit, a statewide effort rooted in Catholic social teaching and the call to care for creation, immigrants and vulnerable communities.

Now in its fifth year as an in-person event, the summit brought together delegations from Jesuit and other Catholic schools across California for two days of prayer, formation and advocacy. Organized by the Jesuits West Province in collaboration with the Laudato Si’ Movement California Chapter, the gathering culminated in a public witness and advocacy meetings at the California State Capitol.

Read more: https://tinyurl.com/5ezt5ump

Following the announcement of his appointment by Pope Leo XIV, Bishop-Elect Michael T. Castori, SJ, of Jesuits West, was introduced to the Diocese of Honolulu.

At the press conference, Bishop-Elect Castori shared about receiving the call, praying before the Blessed Sacrament, his deep connection to the Pacific, and his episcopal motto: “E hiki mai kou aupuni” — “Thy Kingdom come.”

Please pray for Bishop-Elect Castori as he prepares for his Episcopal Ordination and Installation on July 28, 2026.

Today marks the first anniversary of the election of Pope Leo XIV. We give thanks for his ministry and continue to pray for him. 🙏

Last October, the major superiors of the Society of Jesus had the privilege to meet with the Holy Father at the Vatican. He urged the Jesuits to continue to serve “at the frontiers” — geographical, cultural, intellectual and spiritual.

Read more: ow.ly/Btoi50YWnuo

Photo: © Mazur/cbcew.org.uk

Pope Leo XIV has appointed Fr. Michael Castori, SJ, of Jesuits West, to serve as the next bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Honolulu. He will succeed Bishop Clarence “Larry” Silva, who has served since 2005.

Fr. Castori is currently rector of the Arrupe Jesuit Residence at Seattle University. He has also served as a theology professor at Santa Clara University; as the parochial vicar at All Saints Catholic Church in Hayward, California; and as the vicar for clergy for the Diocese of Oakland. Read more: https://ow.ly/zn5c50YVCcS