When Fr. Bob Spitzer, SJ, stepped down as president of Gonzaga University in 2009, he turned his attention to a growing concern: how to stem the rising tide of unbelief—especially among young people. Convinced that science and reason could become pathways to God rather than obstacles, he launched the Magis Center to help make that vision a reality.
Fr. Spitzer, who spent decades in the classroom, understood the challenge firsthand. He watched students grow increasingly disaffected by their faith, a trend confirmed by well-respected studies showing that nearly half of young people identify as unbelievers by the time they reach college. Even in Catholic schools, the concern is significant: The most recent Assessment of Religious Knowledge in Catholic Schools (ARK) reported that seniors averaged a belief score of just 67—a D+.
Founded in 2009 and based in Orange County, the Magis Center equips young people with scientific, philosophical and spiritual resources that strengthen their faith. Its offerings include curricula, videos, books and an extensive array of online materials. Most recently, the Center launched MagisAI, a new app that builds on its mission with an even more dynamic digital tool.
Free to users and available in 50 languages, MagisAI is designed to provide instant, science-based and reasoned answers to tens of thousands of questions. It addresses a wide range of topics—from scientific and rational evidence for God, Jesus and life after death to queries about the Eucharist, the Blessed Virgin Mary, angels, evil spirits, the efficacy of prayer and why a loving God would allow suffering.
The app can also be tailored to a user’s age and educational level, from middle school through postgraduate study. Responses default to an advanced, college-level explanation, but users can request a more accessible version simply by typing “simplify.” Questions may be submitted in writing or by voice using the prompt, “Hey Magis.”
Fr. Spitzer’s academic work spans philosophy, theology, Scripture and the philosophy of science, with particular expertise in metaphysics, cosmology, and the relationship between faith and reason. MagisAI was designed to give young people the intellectual and scientific grounding they need to remain rooted in their faith. “My hope is that, over time, if you keep answering their questions, kids might think, ‘I don’t have to give up my faith.’”
Answers generated by the MagisAI app are consistent with Catholic Church teaching and with contemporary scholarship in science, philosophy, history, scriptural exegesis, social science and theology. “Many young people today have preconceived notions that science and faith are mutually exclusive, that there is no such thing as a soul, and that God is just an illusion of hope,” Fr. Spitzer observes. “There is a great need for a practical defense of the Catholic faith that meets the surrounding culture.”
There are already 15,000 subscriber, but students are not the only intended audience. The app is also a valuable tool for teachers and parents—especially when they are confronted with tough theological questions and aren’t sure how to respond.
MagisAI is available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.
