Actor Martin Sheen on the heroes that shaped his spirituality and activism

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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? Link to Father Jim’s spiritual advice column: https://www.americamagazine.org/podcasts/2026/05/18/martin-sheen-spiritual-life-james-martin Martin Sheen's podcast: https://themartinsheenpodcast.com Do you have a spiritual question for Father Jim? You can write to us at: thespirituallife@americamedia.org Become a subscriber today at Americamagazine.org/subscribe ****** America Media is the leading provider of editorial content for thinking Catholics and those who want to know what Catholics are thinking. To become a subscriber, visit https://www.americamagazine.org/subsc... ****** Sign-up for our newsletter: http://bit.ly/2Ka4SOi ****** Follow us on Social Media: • America Media on Facebook: http://bit.ly/2Kal3Ll • America Media on Twitter: http://bit.ly/2viJosZ • America Media on Instagram: http://bit.ly/2Ka5q6O ****** Support more videos like this: http://bit.ly/2vgqm6A Becom