His portrayal of a Catholic priest in the 2008 film Doubt earned Philip Seymour Hoffman critical praise, including an Oscar nomination. The actor, who was found dead, aged 46, in tragic circumstances last Sunday, relied on the help of a Jesuit, Fr James (Jim) Martin, for his mastery of the role.“When he was signed up to star in the film, he called me for help and we spent a good deal of time talking about what it meant to be a priest, going to Masses at St Ignatius Loyola [in New York] and even spending time practising celebrating Mass,” Fr Jim wrote after Hoffman’s death. “Phil was so devoted to his work; he took pains to get every aspect of his performance as a priest correct, and it was a grace to watch him work. Seeing him act was a reminder of what it means to