Faith and the final frontier: Jesuit astronomer releases guide to the cosmos

A Jesuit Astronomer’s Cosmic Journey: Where Science and Faith Converge

In the heart of Detroit, a young man with a voracious appetite for science fiction, adventure, and science embarked on an extraordinary journey. Today, he stands at the helm of the Vatican Observatory, a master of meteorites and a beacon of compatibility between science and faith. This is the story of Jesuit Brother Guy Consolmagno.

Consolmagno’s new book, "A Jesuit’s Guide to the Stars: Exploring Wonder, Beauty and Science", charts his unique path, from a Jesuit education to leading the Vatican Observatory since 2015.Beautifully illustrated with full-page astrophotographs from the Vatican Observatory and NASA, this book is a personal exploration of faith and academic pursuits through a Jesuit lens.

Science as an Act of Prayer

For Consolmagno, Ignatian spirituality and science are intertwined. "Ignatian spirituality emphasizes engagement with the world," he writes, "and ‘finding God in all things.’" This aligns perfectly with the curiosity and wonder that drive scientific discovery. "Science becomes an act of growing closer to the creator," he believes, thus making it an act of prayer.

But how can faith and science coexist? Consolmagno, in an unexpected conversation with Captain Kirk himself—William Shatner—found that even celebrities struggle with this question. Shatner saw faith as "blindly accepting" truths without evidence. However, Consolmagno argues, "Faith is proceeding even when we can’t see everything."

Embracing Inadequacy

"We never have all the facts," Consolmagno points out, "and so faith is how we make essential choices anyway." Life is about making decisions with incomplete information, and fear shouldn’t hold us back. "Don’t limit yourself with the lies you tell yourself," he encourages, "because if it weren’t hard, it wouldn’t be an accomplishment; it wouldn’t be any fun."

Discovering Our Neighborhood: Earth’s Galaxy

Consolmagno’s book isn’t just about him; it’s a guide for us all. He invites readers to look at the heavens with a Jesuit’s eye, finding God in Earth’s galaxy. It’s not enough to just marvel at the stars; we must engage with them, recognize the love behind their beauty, and feel the joy that signifies God’s presence.

Brother Consolmagno’s celestial invitation is open to all, encouraging us to embrace our inadequate selves, embark on our own cosmic journey, and find God in the stars.