Actor Martin Sheen on the heroes that shaped his spirituality and activism
The Spiritual Life with Fr. James Martin, S.J.Show Notes
From country club caddy to the Catholic Worker to “The West Wing”, Martin Sheen has been on a long and fascinating spiritual journey. The Emmy Award and Golden Globe Award-winning actor and activist shares the major turning points in his faith with Fr. James Martin, S.J. on “The Spiritual Life” podcast. They talk about some of the most important influences in Sheen’s life, including the Jesuit activist Dan Berrigan and film-maker Terrence Malick, and how the Mass continues to nourish his faith.
Timecodes:
0:00 How Martin Sheen’s faith was shaped by the Catholic Worker
2:00 Understanding the ploughshare movement
3:43 Discerning what activism our faith calls us to
6:50 Martin Sheen’s Catholic childhood
9:00 An epiphany in Paris and how Terrence Malick became a spiritual guide to Sheen
12:20 “Peacework must be as devotional as war”
22:30 Encountering community and solidarity at the Catholic Worker
32:25 Sheen is nourished by the mass
42:13 How Catholicism informed Sheen’s role of Pres. Josiah Bartlet on ‘The West Wing’
45: Audience Question: How can working people today take a personal vow of poverty or overcome a consumer culture?
Links:
Martin Sheen's podcast
Link to Father Jim’s spiritual advice article on this episode: https://www.americamagazine.org/podcasts/2026/05/18/martin-sheen-spiritual-life-james-martin
Do you have a spiritual question for Father Jim? You can write to us at: [email protected]
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