Jesuitical

Will Arbery’s 2019 play “Heroes of the Fourth Turning” was praised by viewers from across the political spectrum for its nuanced depiction of Catholic conservatives in the Trump era. While Donald Trump is no longer in the White House (or on Twitter), 74 million Americans voted to give him a second term, and debates about how his supporters will affect the Republican Party and the country have only intensified since the attack on the Capitol. We talk to Will about his play, the Jan. 6 insurrection and learning to listen across our cultural divides.     In Signs of the Times, we bring our colleague Michael J. O’Loughlin to discuss the Vatican’s controversial statement banning blessings for same-sex couples. Plus: the Jesuits pledged to raise $100 million to benefit the descendents of enslaved persons owned and sold by the Society of Jesus, and March Madness returns.   This episode of Jesuitical is brought to you by The Great Courses Plus. Sign up for The Great Courses Plus and get an entire month of unlimited

The numbers don’t lie: Young people are less religious than previous generations—at least in the ways we have traditionally understood that dynamic. But behind the numbers lies a fascinating web of stories about how young people find and discover meaning. One of the most important factors: relationships. We discuss a groundbreaking report, “The State of Religion & Young People 2020: Relational Authority,” published by Springtide Research Institute, with Springtide’s executive director, Josh Packard. The report’s insight is essential for anyone who works with young people in any capacity.  In Signs of the Times, Ashley and Zac discuss Pope Francis’ trip to Iraq. It was moving and historic, but will it cause an uptick in cases of Covid-19? We also look at the fascinating story of Servant of God Father Emil Kapaun, who is already a Medal of Honor recipient. Is sainthood next? This episode of Jesuitical is brought to you by The Great Courses Plus. Sign up for The Great Courses Plus and get an entire month of unli

One year into a global pandemic that has taken hundreds of thousands of lives and disrupted the routines and relationships of millions more, we would all do well to take a moment to take stock of where we are—mentally, physically, spiritually. Tracy G is here to help you do just that. A self-described “wellness artist” and host of the podcast “She’s Beauty & The Beast,” Tracy is overflowing with wisdom and advice for staying not just sane but grateful when it seems like so much is beyond our control. We ask Tracy about adapting to pandemic life, how to keep “self-care” from becoming self-indulgent and how plants can serve as a really useful metaphor for friendships (really). In Signs of the Times, several U.S. bishops have released statements that could lead to confusion among Catholics about whether it is morally permissible to take the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine. Zac and Ashley discuss: Can too much nuance get in the way of effective communication? Plus, Pope Francis is making a historic visit to Ir

Pete Holmes refers to Father Richard Rohr affectionately as “Richie.” Pete is a talented comedian, podcaster and television writer, and he’s also a deep admirer of the work of last week’s guest. We talked to Pete last summer about his memoir Comedy Sex God, and after our conversation with Father Richard last week, we were able to appreciate Pete’s story on a much deeper level. Thus, we’re bringing it to you today. We have an all new Signs of the Times and Consolations and Desolations, where we look at the curious case of Venerable Mother Cornelia Connelly’s body and who gets to claim her remains, as well as mark the grim milestone of 500,000 coronavirus deaths in the United States.  Links from the show: The life of Catholic foundress Cornelia Connelly was ruled by men. Was her obedience to them holy? Plan to move Sussex nun’s bones to US faces local opposition Cardinal Gregory prays on CNN for 500,000 Americans killed by Covid-19 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s guest hardly needs an introduction. Father Richard Rohr is a Franciscan priest, the author of several well-known books on spirituality, including his latest The Universal Christ, and the founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation in New Mexico. In this wide-ranging interview, we talk to Father Richard about the difference between “Jesus” and “Christ,” the dangers of tribal religion and how we should approach this most unusual Lenten season.  We wanted to give this conversation plenty of space (you’ll understand why when you listen), so no Signs of the Times this week.  Links from the show: Center for Action and Contemplation  The Universal Christ: How a Forgotten Reality Can Change Everything We See, Hope For, and Believe Lent reflections, podcasts and more from America's staff What’s on tap? Nothing! Our 40 days of abstinence from alcohol begins.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Abortion “is not an argument anyone is going to win,” Caitlin Flanagan wrote in a December 2019 essay for The Atlantic. “The loudest advocates on both sides are terrible representatives for their cause.” Caitlin is a staff writer at The Atlantic, where she writes on politics and culture. She identifies as pro-choice. The hosts of this show identify as pro-life. But all of us yearn for a debate and conversation about hard issues like aboriton that isn’t dominated by the vitriol often demonstrated by the “loudest advocates” that Caitlin refers to. We model that and more in this week’s show. During Signs of the Times, we discuss the first woman to be nominated with the right to vote as undersecretary of the synod of bishops; we also get into the controversy over Abby Johnson, a popular pro-life speaker and supporter of President Trump, delivering a speech at the Catholic University of America. This episode of Jesuitical is brought to you by The Great Courses Plus. Sign up for The Great Courses Plus and get an en

Whether you are an agnostic seeker who’s curious about the whole “prayer” thing or a seasoned Catholic looking to deepen your relationship with God, James Martin, S.J., has a book for you—and everyone else. In his new book, Learning to Pray: A Guide for Everyone, Father Martin not only answers the question “Why pray?” and introduces readers to different types of prayer; he tackles what he considers “one of the most confusing parts about the spiritual life”: What happens when you pray? That is, what are you supposed to hear or feel when you close your eyes?   We talk to Father Martin about the most common barriers to prayer, how you can tell what’s coming from God in prayer and whether we’re thinking about “consolations and desolations” in the right way. Plus, we bring him the questions you, dear listeners, posted to the Jesuitical Facebook group. In Signs of the Times, we’ve got to stories from Pope Francis. First, in a meeting with Italian catechists, the pope made clear that the Second Vatican Council is pa

Every year, tens of thousands of students, priests, sisters and pro-life activists gather in Washington, D.C., around the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision in Roe v. Wade to witness against abortion. This year, the march looks different because of Covid-19. But it is also noteworthy for another reason: It is the first march of the “post-Trump era.”  Though he is no longer president, for many Americans, Donald Trump will remain the face of the pro-life movement for years to come. So where do we go from here? What can those of us who oppose abortion and the death penalty—who want Roe overturned and for our country to welcome refugees—do to change the conversation around life issues? Thankfully, we got one answer to that question back in 2019, when we talked with Destiny Herndon-De La Rosa, the founder of New Wave Feminists. Destiny became a mother at a young age, and her experience inspired her to to form the pro-life, feminist organization that gives women the support and resources needed to make mot

On Wednesday, Jan. 20, Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States, only the second Catholic ever to hold the office. Zac and Ashley are joined by Matt Malone, S.J., to discuss their reactions to President Biden’s inauguration—including the prayers offered by other Jesuits throughout the day. Father Malone is the editor in chief of America, worked in politics before joining the Jesuits and brings a historical and personal eye to the events of the week. We’re happy to report that Pope Francis, Pope Emeritus Benedict and guests at the Vatican’s homeless shelter all received a vaccine for Covid-19, even as the Catholic Church, like the rest of the world, continues to lose leaders to the virus. Please consider supporting the show by subscribing to America, or by pledging on our Patreon page.  Links from the show:  Pope Francis sends greeting to President Biden, contrasting with sharper message from head of U.S. bishops Joe Biden begins Inauguration Day with Mass Read: The Invocation at the

One of the most alarming aspects of the Jan. 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of President Trump was the prevalence of Christian symbols and language. That the cross and the name of Jesus were used to justify a violent attack on our nation’s democratic institutions shows just how far the Christian community has fallen short, according to this week’s guest, the Rev. Bryan Massingale: “We’ve allowed Christianity, Christian symbols, Christian faith, Christian language to be hijacked in the cause of a human ideology of exclusion and division and division.”   Father Massingale teaches theological and social ethics at Fordham University in New York and is the author of Racial Justice and the Catholic Church. We talk with him about the toxic mix of racism, idolatry and spiritual emptiness on display on Capitol Hill and how Christians should respond.  In Signs of the Times, Pope Francis changed canon law this week to allow women to be officially installed as lectors and acolytes (i.e., those who do the r

We don’t have to tell you that 2020 has been a really tough year. And yet we know that God is still with us, and we are still celebrating the birth of our savior on Christmas morning. To mark the coming of our Lord, we wanted to do something a little different on Jesuitical.  So, instead of covering the Catholic news of the week, we asked you, our listeners, to tell us where you found God in your life amid the loneliness, uncertainty and loss of the coronavirus pandemic. And Zac and Ashley share personal reflections about what Christmas means to them this year. As always, we are grateful to everyone who listens to and supports the show. Have a blessed Christmas season—and we’ll see you next year.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all need a laugh. 2020 has been an absolutely awful year (no citation needed). But is it O.K. for us to take a step back and laugh at it all? We bring on professional funny man and former professional Catholic, Greg Iwinksi, to discuss. Greg is an Emmy-nominated comedy writer and performer, and he currently writes for “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.” He’s previously written for “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” and worked with The Second City and iO theaters. We talk to Greg about the pandemic, the difference between “church” funny and “actual” funny and Trump Jokes. Greg also reminds us that comedy is serious business, and above all about telling the truth.  In Signs of the Times, we discuss the Vatican’s controversial Nativity and deliver a Jesuitical SOT-P.S.A. about the newly F.D.A.-approved Covid-19 vaccines. This is our last regular episode of 2020, but there is still time for you to help with our special Christmas edition of Jesuitical. Email a 60-second-or-less voice memo to jesuitical@amer

“We’re all monks now” was an early refrain about life in coronavirus lockdown. Time slowed down as we kept to our houses and limited contact with family and friends. Of course, unlike monks, we also had Zoom calls and Netflix. Lots and lots of Netflix. So we wanted to talk to a monk and find out just how much our Covid quarantines resemble life in a monastery. Dom Benedict Nivakoff, O.S.B., is the prior of the Monastery of San Benedetto in Monte in Norcia, Italy, the birthplace of St. Benedict, considered the father of Western monasticism. We ask Father Prior about living under St. Benedict’s Rule and what advice he has for those us struggling to accept the limitations of pandemic life. And during Signs of the Times, Pope Francis has dedicated the next year to St. Joseph. Zac and Ashley share their takeaways from “Patris Corde,” the pope reflection on the foster father of Jesus. Next, the pope plans to visit Iraq in March, but can he do so without putting his and others’ health at risk? And you’ve heard of “E

This was bound to be an odd Advent. But as a lot of Catholics discovered during the odd Lent, Easter and Ordinary Time we experienced this year, there is also an invitation to develop new traditions and prayer practices. Our guest this week, Tsh Oxenreider, has been helping people connect in new ways and live more simply for a long time through her writing and podcasting. We talk to Tsh about her latest project, Shadow & Light: A Journey Into Advent, and her journey to make Advent meaningful for her family.  During Signs of the Times, Ashley and Zac discuss the 13 new cardinals that Pope Francis recently elevated, and what they want to see out of the pope’s closest advisers. They also look at misinformation around Covid vaccines.   What’s on tap?  Advent calendar wine, from Zac’s mom. Links from the show:  Shadow & Light: A Journey Into Advent tshoxenreider.com Pope Francis has made Wilton Gregory the first African-American cardinal U.S. bishops’ internal memo: Catholics can take Covid-19 vaccines Learn more

There are good writers, there are Catholic writers and then there are the Catholic literary greats like Flannery O’Connor, Cormac McCarthy, and to the surprise of some, Toni Morison. But what exactly makes their stories distinctly Catholic? And how do themes of incarnation, death and resurrection show up even while the artist has lapsed in their religious practice? Ashley and Zac settle in with the writer Nick Ripatrazone to talk about these literary giants and where the Catholic imagination comes alive in works of fiction. They also talk about Nick’s recently published book “Longing for an Absent God: Faith and Doubt in Great American Fiction.”  Links from the show: Longing for an Absent God Nick Ripatrazone Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The release of the McCarrick report has once again brought the church’s sex abuse crisis back to the headlines—and once again Catholics are asking: What is the root cause? Clericalism, writes Sam Sawyer, S.J., a Jesuit priest and our colleague at America Media. While we may not know what drive any individual person to abuse, he believes the McCarrick report confirms that clericalism explains how Theodore McCarrick was able to rise through the ranks of the hierarchy despite persistent rumors of sexual misconduct.  We ask Sam how clericalism plays both at the Vatican and in our own parishes, and what priests and laypeople alike can do to root it out.  In Signs of the Times, we discuss the U.S. bishops’ general assembly and the creation of a new working group to address what Archbishop José Gomez called the “difficult and complex situation” they see in Joe Biden—the second Catholic president in U.S. history. How should the bishops engage the Biden administration on issues like abortion and religious liberty? Lin

Choosing your health insurance, going to the doctor, paying unexpected medical bills: these are facts of life that no one would describe as fun. But on his podcast “An Arm and a Leg,” Dan Weissmann explores the U.S. health care system and its costs for consumers in an entertaining—and empowering—way. This week, we talk to Dan about how to hold your own when you are slapped with an exorbitant medical bill, and ask: Why is the health care system so confusing?  In Signs of the Times, we briefly mark the occasion of the election of the second Catholic president in U.S. history (and celebrate the controversial song he quoted in his acceptance speech). Next, the Vatican published its much-anticipated report on the investigation into former cardinal Theodore McCarrick. We bring on Colleen Dulle of America’s “Inside the Vatican” podcast to breakdown the top takeaways from the report. Who knew what about McCarrick’s abuse—and should we trust an internal investigation, conducted by those with the most at stake? Links f

By the time you listen to this episode, we may already know who the 46th president of the United States will be. But whoever wins, there is one thing we can say with certainty now: We remain a divided country. So this week, we wanted to talk to someone who has been working across divisions for over a decade: Dr. Eboo Patel. In 2002, Eboo founded the Interfaith Youth Core, an organization that works with colleges, governments and social service agencies to increase interfaith cooperation. He also served on President Barack Obama’s inaugural Advisory Council on Faith-Based Neighborhood Partnerships. Eboo believes that it is impossible to understand what is happening in our world—and in the 2020 election—without paying attention to and engaging with people’s diverse religious commitments. We ask Eboo what lessons he has learned from his interfaith work that might help us to heal the fractures of our body politic. With the election results very much still up in the air at recording time, we decided it didn’t make

Movies about demons and exorcisms are popular at this time of year, and are—let’s be honest—pretty scary. Well, real life demonic possession is even scarier—and nothing to mess around with. This week, we talk with someone who would know. Dr. Richard Gallagher is a board-certified psychiatrist, a leading expert in the field of exorcism and the author of Demonic Foes: My Twenty-Five Years as a Psychiatrist Investigating Possessions, Diabolic Attacks, and the Paranormal. Dr. Gallagher recounts hard-won lessons about the spiritual life as well as some of his most harrowing experiences with literal demons.  In “Signs of the Times,” we look at the 13 new cardinals that Pope Francis named over the weekend, including Washington’s Archbishop Wilton Gregory, who is set to become the first Black Cardinal in the United States.  A reminder that we’ll be discussing Pope Francis’ latest encyclical, “Fratelli Tutti” in reading groups (over drinks) with all members of our Patreon community throughout the month of November

We're dropping an episode from the Voting Catholic podcast in the Jesuitical feed! Voting Catholic is an original podcast series from America Media that explores the top voting issues in the United States, from abortion to immigration to racial justice, by sharing the voices of experts and activists on the front lines. Each episode tackles one issue through personal storytelling and socio-political analysis from a Catholic perspective. This episode is called "Abortion: It's more complicated than you think." The Catholic Bishops teach that abortion is a preeminent voting issue for Catholics, because it directly attacks life itself. Do Catholics agree? And should it take precedence over other life and death issues?  Aimee Murphy is the Executive Director of Rehumanize International. Visit her white paper and presentation here.  Learn more about Tricia Bruce’ study: “What Americans Really Think About Abortion” US Bishops teaching document on the political responsibility of Catholics: "Forming Consciences fo