Br. Guy Consolmagno on praying as a scientist

Host James Martin, S.J., welcomes Br. Guy Consolmagno, a Jesuit brother, astronomer and the former director of the Vatican Observatory, to “The Spiritual Life” podcast. 

With a Ph.D. in planetary science, Br. Guy has spent his career studying meteorites and asteroids, exploring the origins of the solar system, authoring more than 250 scientific publications and making science accessible to the public. Br. Guy has written several books exploring faith and science issues, and his most recent book is, “A Jesuit's Guide to the Stars: Exploring Wonder, Beauty, and Science.”

This fascinating conversation covers:

• The challenge of loneliness no matter your vocation

• The notion of the “evil spirit” in Ignatian spirituality and analogies in science

• The Big Bang and why we shouldn’t base our theology off current scientific understandings

• How being a scientist influences Br. Guy’s prayer life and where he sees God most clearly

Five lessons learned as director of the Vatican Observatory: https://www.americamagazine.org/faithinfocus/2025/09/11/vatican-observatory-guy-consolmagno

Do you have a spiritual question for Fr. Jim? You can write to us at:  thespirituallife@americamedia.org

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