James Martin: Seven Last Words

An Interview James Martin, SJ: Seven Last Words

Interview by Victor Fuhrman

James Martin S.J is a Jesuit priest, a writer, and editor-at-large of the Jesuit magazine America. Though he grew up in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, he now lives in the America House Jesuit Community in midtown Manhattan.

Dissatisfied with the corporate world, he became more deeply involved in the Catholic Church and decided to enter the Society of Jesus (more commonly known as the Jesuits) in 1988, and was ordained a priest in 1999. In addition to his work at America magazine, Martin has written or edited more than 10 books, many of which are largely about his own experiences. He is a frequent commentator for CNN, NPR, Fox News Channel, Time magazine, Huffington Post and other news outlets, and has written several op-ed pieces and blogged for The New York Times.

OMTimes has the pleasure to present to our audience, Father James Martin, Sj. Jesuit Priest, writer and Editor at Large of America Magazine, Father James Martin is one of the most brilliant philosophical minds of our times. His prolific career as a writer has brought to us the insight and awareness of service to others along with the need to incorporate Joy into our lives.

Audio Interview with James Martin, SJ

To listen to the full audio interview with James Martin, SJ by Victor Fuhrman, click the player below:

Victor Fuhrman: Father Martin, how does one go from a Wharton business degree and a corporate position with General Electric to the priesthood?

James Martin: Well, when I was at Wharton, I really had no one ask me the question that everyone should be asked at some point in his or her life, “What would you do if you could do anything you wanted to?” So I studied business and went into business without much reflection at all. And when I started at GE, it was pretty exciting—living in New York in the 80s, having lots of money, buying nice clothes, going to clubs and so on. But after a few years, I started to realize I was in the wrong place. Business was a real vocation for my friends, but not for me. Yet I couldn’t figure out how to change. Or what to do. I felt trapped. Then one night I came home, flipped on the TV, and saw a documentary about the Trappist monk Thomas Merton, and it completely drew me in. Captivated me. His life in the monastery—so peaceful, purposeful and beautiful–seemed so much more enjoyable than mine. That got me started on the road to the priesthood and life in a religious order.