Cristóbal Fones, SJ, is many things- a talented musician, a Jesuit and the international director of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network. He joins host James Martin, S.J., on “The Spiritual Life” podcast to share how he learned to pray from a place of deep emotional connection and authenticity, and how, from his new post at the Vatican, he coordinates the prayer petitions for the Catholic church.

Timecodes:

0:00 Why we pray with Cristóbal Fones
1:00 Understanding the morning offering and the Sacred Heart
7:10 The pope has a prayer network
16:08 Praying with the Sacred Heart includes our emotions
23:50 Cristóbal is called to be a Jesuit and inculturate Christ’s message in music
37:00 Music can affect how you relate to God
46:32 What Jesuits do on retreat
51:00 Audience Question: Why do Catholics pray to saints and how does that work?

Read Fr. Jim's article on the Sacred Heart: https://www.americamagazine.org/podcasts/2026/03/16/the-spiritual-life-what-is-the-sacred-heart/

Do you have a spiritual question for Fr. Jim? You can write to us at: [email protected]
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