Jesuitical

This week on Jesuitical, Zac and Ashley are talking about the migrant crisis in New York City and the work Catholics are doing to respond. They are joined by Richard Slizeski, the senior vice president for mission at Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens. They talk to him about: Migrants’ often harrowing experiences coming to the United States What’s missing in the political debates around the migrant crisis in New York How Catholic Charities’ mission and Catholic identity informs their work on the ground In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss recent revelations about what World War II-era Pope Pius XII knew about the Holocaust as it was occuring, as well as Pope Francis’ recent conversation with Bill Clinton. Links from the Show As New York’s migrant crisis makes headlines, Catholic Charities gets to work Letter Found in Vatican Archives Confirms Church Was Told About Death Camps; more info Conversation between Pope Francis and Bill Clinton What’s on Tap? Dark beer—Guinness stout, specifically Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Zac and Ashley are talking about the psychological care that seminarians (i.e., priests-in-training) receive as part of their formation. They are joined by Maribel Laguna, the founder and owner of Cor Sacrum Counseling and Consulting. They talk to Maribel about: The Catholic Church’s relationship with psychology and counseling, historically and today The unique challenges seminarians are facing The type of psychological screening that goes into the decision to accept someone into a seminary program In Signs of the Times, they discuss Pope Francis’ new pick to lead the Vatican’s doctrinal office and the best thing to go on tour in the United States this year: the relic of St. Jude’s arm. Links from the show: Pope Francis appoints Archbishop Victor Manuel Fernandez as the new head of Vatican office for doctrine St. Jude’s arm is on tour in the US; tour schedule Become a member of Jesuitical’s Patreon community Invite Jesuitical to your college, parish or community! Send us an email: jesuitical@americamedia.org What’s on tap? Grapefruit Margarita  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the season premier of Jesuitical’s seventh season, Zac and Ashley talk with their friend and colleague James Martin, S.J., who is out with a brand new book, Come Forth: The Promise of Jesus's Greatest Miracle. They ask Father Martin: If Jesus actually raised Lazarus from the dead (and do Catholic have to believe it) What Mary, Martha and Lazarus can teach us about friendship And how we can all come forth into new life in our daily lives In Signs of the Times, we discuss the “DJ Priest” who made headlines at World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal, and ask: Were Pope Francis’ criticisms of “reactionary” Catholics in the United States fair (or helpful)? Links from the show: The (not so) curious case of priests who DJ in the history of electronic music Pope Francis speaks out against his critics in the U.S. Catholic Church Pope Francis’ criticisms of ‘reactionary’ U.S. Catholics are counterproductive Come Forth: The Promise of Jesus's Greatest Miracle Exclusive Excerpt: What can the story of Lazarus teach us about new life? Become a member of Jesuitical’s Patreon community What’s on tap? Corpse Reviver No. 2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We have a great summer bonus episode, all about baseball! To listen to the full episode, become a patron of Jesuitical! This is the first season with a pitch clock in Major League Baseball, which was implemented to try to speed up the game and appeal to younger viewers. But to some longtime baseball fans the rule change feels gimmicky and disrespectful to the grand tradition of America's pastime. If the debate sounds familiar, that's because the Catholic Church is at a similar pivotal moment in its history. Younger people are not filling the pews as previous generations have, and Catholics are grappling with how to reform itself without compromising its authentic tradition.  On today's episode, two past guests and baseball fanatics return to debate the pitch clock and draw analogies between the game and the church they love. J.D. Long-Garcia is a senior editor at America and Greg Hillis runs the Aquinas Center of Theology at Emory University. You can read their takes on the pitch clock here: J.D. Long-Garcia, "The pitch clock is a travesty. The Catholic Church must learn from baseball’s mistake." Greg Hillis, "Quit Trying to ‘Fix’ Baseball" and "In Praise of the Pitch Clock" Help support the production of Jesuitical by becoming a patron! It's simple, easy, and you can listen to bonus episodes on your podcast app! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the season finale of “Jesuitical,” Zac and producer Sebastian Gomes talk with Cardinal Michael Czerny, S.J., who leads the Vatican’s department for social justice and human development. (Ashley was out of the country at the time of the interview). Cardinal Czerny is also the co-author of the new book Siblings All, Sign of the Times: The Social Teaching of Pope Francis. We talk to him about: The disputed legacy of Vatican II How Pope Francis has developed the church’s social teaching How the church should relate to the outside world In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley point ahead to some stories to look out for this summer. And in As One Friend Speaks to Another, they look back at the season and the many graces it held. Links from the show: Jesuitical listener survey Learn more about the O’Hare fellowship Vatican confirms Pope Francis will enjoy a ‘staycation’ in July Pope Francis’ prep advice for World Youth Day: talk to your grandparents first Siblings All, Sign of the Times: The Social Teaching of Pope Francis by Cardinal Michael Czerny and Father Christian Barone Ignatian Wisdom Fellowship from Loyola University Chicago Sacred Heart Major Seminary’s online course "An Introduction to Spirituality” What’s on tap? Rum sunset, prepared by outgoing O’Hare fellow, Chris Parker Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Jesuitical, Ashley and Zac chat with Bryan McCarthy, who teaches philosophy at the University of Pittsburgh, Greensburg, and is the author of a new paper, “Christianity and Psychedelic Medicine: A Pastoral Approach.” They discuss:  What the church teaches about drugs and intoxication How psychedelic drugs are being used in therapeutic settings, and how Christians should respond Bryan’s own religious experiences while using psychedelic drugs  During Signs of the Times, Ashley and Zac give initial reactions to the new working document for the Synod on Synodality and discuss a curious story involving a fake priest and serious labor violations out of California.  Links from the show:  Bryan’s paper Vatican releases Synod document calling for discussion of women, LGBT Catholics, church authority and more California restaurant had fake priest hear workers’ confessions, Labor Department says Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Earlier this year, Pope Francis called most Catholic homilies “a disaster.” Well, we’re doing something about it. This week, Ashley and Zac welcome Ricardo da Silva, S.J., their colleague and the host of the brand new podcast from America Media, “Preach: The Catholic Homilies Podcast.” “Preach” releases weekly and features a diverse cast of the finest Catholic preachers. On each episode, preachers open up their hearts and minds, sharing their spiritual lives, approaches to interpreting Scripture and techniques for preparing the best homilies. Whether you’re curious about preaching methods, or you’re a preacher looking for inspiration and best practices, “Preach” is here to accompany you through the liturgical year with great homilies and conversations about them. Follow “Preach: The Catholic Homilies Podcast” on your podcast app! Or at AmericaMagazine.org If you know a priest, deacon or lay preacher who would benefit from “Preach,” please share it with them! And, if you want to recommend a great preacher for “Preach,” let us know here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley chat with Linda K. Wertheimer, a journalist and the author of the book Faith Ed: Teaching about Religion in an Age of Intolerance. In a recent article in The New Republic, Linda explores renewed efforts in some parts of the country to get prayer back into public schools. They discuss: Linda’s experience of being the only Jewish student in a public school with weekly Christian Bible classes The history of school prayer at the Supreme Court How to balance religious freedom and inclusion in an increasingly diverse country In Signs of the Times, the hosts give an update on Pope Francis’ recovery after his three-hour abdominal surgery and discuss the approval of what would be the first publicly funded religious charter school in the nation. Finally, Ashley reflects on her vision of heaven. Links from the show: Surgeon: Pope Francis is ‘alert’ and cracking jokes after hernia operation Catholic virtual school approved by Oklahoma board would be first religious charter in the U.S. Inside the Christian Legal Crusade to Revive School Prayer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Ashley and Zac are joined by Bishop John Dolan of the Diocese of Phoenix to talk about losing several members of his family to suicide, a groundbreaking new mental health ministry in his diocese and how the church can better support those struggling with mental health issues.  They are also joined by America colleague James Martin, S.J., who serves as a consultor for the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication. They discuss the dicastery’s new document “Towards Full Presence: A Pastoral Reflection on Engagement with Social Media.” Finally, Zac brings a question to discuss: Does God take bribes?  Links from the show:  Bishop Dolan: How losing family to suicide led me to start a mental health ministry Office of Mental Health Ministry of the Diocese of Phoenix National Suicide Prevention Lifeline American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Towards Full Presence: A Pastoral Reflection on Engagement with Social Media Vatican tells the bishops of Catholic Twitter: be reflective, not reactive God doesn’t accept bribes in prayer. Or does he? What’s on tap?  Maker’s Mark Support Jesuitical by becoming a Patron at Patreon.com/americamedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Jesuitical is joined by Sister Donna Dodge, the president of the Sisters of Charity of New York, which recently decided to embark on a “path to completion,” meaning the over 200-year-old congregation will no longer accept new vocations (though their ministry continues). We discuss: How religious life has changed since Sister Donna joined in 1966 How the sisters discerned that it was time to let go—and how their charism of charity will live on in the work of lay collaborators Why the church needs to change the way it talks about “vocation” with young people And in Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley chat with America’s national correspondent, Michael O’Loughlin, about the controversy sparked by the Los Angeles Dodgers’ decision to include a group of “drag queen nuns” in their Pride Night this June. Links from the show: Drag queen ‘nuns’ will be included in LA Dodgers Pride Night. I have complicated feelings about it. The end of an era for the Sisters of Charity of New York  Nerves, tears and chanting: What I saw during the New York Sisters of Charity vote to stop accepting members What’s on tap?  Scotch on the rocks Support Jesuitical by becoming a Patron at Patreon.com/americamedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Can we consider Toni Morrison a Catholic novelist,” Nadra Nittle asked in an article for America in 2017. Since Morrison’s passing in 2019, Nadra has been exploring that question in more depth, and the result is her new book: Toni Morrison's Spiritual Vision: Faith, Folktales, and Feminism in Her Life and Literature, out this month from Fortress Press. This week, Zac reintroduces this popular interview with Nadra Nittle from 2021 which explores the Catholic sensibilities and love for aesthetics of the acclaimed writer Toni Morrison. Support Jesuitical by becoming a Patron at Patreon.com/americamedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Jesuitical is joined by Pete Davis to talk about his new documentary “Join or Die,” “a film about why you should join a club — and why the fate of America depends on it.” They discuss: Why Americans join fewer clubs and associations than they used to Why churches are suffering the same fate The work of Robert Putnam in his groundbreaking book, Bowling Alone During Signs of the Times, Zac highlights a new transcript of Pope Francis in conversation with Jesuits in Hungary. Links from the show:  “Join or Die” ‘This is God’s Style’: Pope Francis’ conversation with Hungarian Jesuits How could a country that was 90 percent Catholic “disappear” Catholic priests and seminarians? Who is the real Bergoglio? What’s on tap?  Tank 7 American Saison Ale from Boulevard Brewing Company Support Jesuitical by becoming a Patron at Patreon.com/americamedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Jesuitical, we’re joined by Luke Russert, the author of the new memoir Look for Me There: Grieving My Father, Finding Myself. Luke is the son of Tim Russert, the legendary host of NBC’s “Meet the Press,” and served as an NBC News correspondent from 2008 to 2016. We talk to Luke about: What it was like to lose his father and hero Tim Russert the year he graduated from college Why he decided to leave a successful career in journalism to travel the world The limits of travel when it comes to processing grief and finding yourself And during Signs of the Times, Ashley and Zac discuss the following news stories:  The historic participation of Catholic cardinals and bishops at the coronation of King Charles III this weekend The Sisters of Charity of New York’s decision to no longer accept new members and to embark on a “path of completion” The maiden voyage of a Staten Island Ferry named for Dorothy Day Links from the show: Look for Me There: Grieving My Father, Finding Myself British Catholics will attend a coronation for the first time since the Reformation Sisters of Charity of New York Vote on Congregation’s Path to Completion Onboard the first journey of a Staten Island ferry named for Dorothy Day What’s on tap? Guinness  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everything is on the table: immigration and racism, women's ordination, abortion, sexual abuse, pornography, gender identity and dating apps. We’ve never seen a conversation with the pope like this. In Hulu’s “The Pope: Answers,” Francis sits with a group of 20 to 25-year-olds to discuss their most profound questions and struggles with faith and the church’s teachings. The young people also get practical, asking if the pope gets a salary. Ashley and Zac are joined by two Jesuit colleagues, Ricardo da Silva, S.J., and Jim McDermott, S.J., to discuss the new documentary and how Catholics can process this profoundly honest conversation that seemingly raised more questions than answers. Read more: In Hulu’s ‘The Pope: Answers,’ Pope Francis talks abortion, gender identity, dating apps and more with 10 young adults by Ricardo da Silva, S.J. Hulu’s ‘The Pope: Answers’ is the most thrilling movie out right now by Jim McDermott, S.J. Listen to the full conversation here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Jesuitical is joined by Sam Sawyer, S.J., the new editor in chief of America Media to talk about:  How Sam went from working as a software developer to joining the Jesuits The Catholic Church’s approach to technology, and what A.I. and ChatGPT have in store for it His latest essay in America: “Catholicism, authentic communion and the way out of our polarization trap” And during Signs of the Times, Ashley and Zac discuss the following news stories:  Pope Francis has given women the right to vote at the synod for the first time in history Pope Francis losing his blue verification checkmark on Twitter Two events in Catholic-Anglican relations: A gift from Pope Francis to King Charles III and a “breakdown in communication” between a visiting Anglican group in Rome and the Basilica of St. John Lateran  Links from the show Support America’s Anniversary! “Catholicism, authentic communion and the way out of our polarization trap” Does ChatGPT have a soul? A conversation on Catholic ethics and A.I. Pope Francis gives relics of the True Cross to King Charles III for his coronation Over 50 Anglicans celebrate liturgy at Pope Francis’ cathedral after “breakdown in communication” What’s on tap?  Negronis and Aeropress Coffee Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let’s face it: talking about climate change can feel depressing and futile. It seems like every few years there’s a new dire report, another agreement signed, and little progress is made. This week’s guest, Dorothy Fortenberry, is a writer and executive producer of “Extrapolations,” a new show from Apple TV+ that aims to shake us from our complacency by showing us what the world might look like in 10, 20, 30 years if we stay on our current trajectory. We talk to her about getting people to care about climate change, her love of Pope Francis’ environmental encyclical “Laudato Si’” and the ethics of having kids in a climate crisis. In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss a controversy between a group of Franciscans and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, and talk about how Catholics should react to SatanCon, a gathering of members of the Satanic Temple in Boston next week. Links from the show: Military archdiocese: The end of Walter Reed’s pastoral care contract is ‘incomprehensible’ Boston 'SatanCon' prompts Catholics to respond with prayer and the Gospel Watch “Extrapolations” on Apple TV+ I was at the first Earth Day. And I carry what I learned about care for creation to this day by James Martin, S.J. This Earth Day, meet the artist making beautiful icons of God’s endangered creatures by Jim McDermott, S.J. What’s on tap? Micheladas Support Jesuitical! Become a digital subscriber to America Media! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Jesuitical chats with Ronald Rolheiser, O.M.I., spiritual master and the author of many books, including “The Holy Longing: The Search for a Christian Spirituality.” Ashley and Zac talk to Father Rolheiser about the importance and universality of spiritual energy, sex, isolation and the differences between therapy and spirituality. During “Signs of the Times,” the team is joined by Michael O’Louglin to unpack an FBI memo that seems to be targeting “traditionalist Catholics.” Later they discuss Hulu’s new documentary, “The Pope: Answers.” Links from the show:  RonRolheiser.Com House committee alleges FBI used undercover agent to produce analysis on ‘radical traditionalist’ Catholics In Hulu’s ‘The Pope: Answers,’ Pope Francis talks abortion, gender identity, dating apps and more with 10 young adults What’s on Tap? Sparkling wine, with bubbles that are rising (like Jesus) Support Jesuitical! Become a digital subscriber to America Media! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For this special triduum edition of Jesuitical, we’re doing something a little different. Instead of a regular interview, we’re sharing an episode from the America Media podcast “Imagine: A Guide to Jesuit Prayer,” by our friend and colleague Tucker Redding, S.J. In this episode, Tucker guides us through an imaginative prayer focusing on the Way of the Cross, the time between Jesus’ trial under Pontius Pilate and his crucifixion. In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley give an update on Pope Francis’ health and time in the hospital, and then they share their favorite parts of the Easter Triduum. Happy Easter everyone! Links from the show: Imagine: A Guide to Jesuit Prayer After hospital pizza party and baptizing a baby, Pope Francis expected to return to Vatican Saturday The Easter Vigil is the longest liturgy of the year. And it’s so, so worth your time. More Easter content from America The best way to support Jesuitical is to become a digital subscriber to America Media and access all of our digital content! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, B.V.M., captured the heart of America during Loyola Chicago’s Cinderella run to the Final Four in 2018, she was Zac’s hero and mentor while he was attending Loyola. To be fair, she had been many things to many people in 100 years of life. Sister Jean is out with a new book (written with help from ace basketball writer Seth Davis) titled Wake Up With Purpose!: What I’ve Learned in My First Hundred Years. She joins the podcast to discuss that magical Final Four run, why she loves being around young people and where she believes the Catholic Church is headed. During Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley give an update on Pope Francis’ health and discuss why an A.I.-generated image of him in a puffer jacket went viral. Finally, Zac explains where he found God during jury duty. Links from the show:  “Wake Up With Purpose!” What you don’t know about Loyola’s Sister Jean How Loyola Chicago’s Sister Jean prays—on and off the court Vatican: Pope Francis’ condition improving after resting overnight in hospital AI-generated images of Pope Francis in puffer jacket fool the internet Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if you could pray with the Black Madonna of Montserrat, on the banks of the River Cardoner or the cave in Manresa where St. Ignatius developed the Spiritual Exercises—from the comfort of your couch? Today’s guest, Vivian Richards, S.J., wants to help Catholics do just that. Father Vivian is a Jesuit priest of India’s Karnataka province and part of the team of Jesuits who developed the JesuitPilgrimage app. The app provides photos, prayer and audio guides and interactive maps to bring users to the significant spots in the life of St. Ignatius and the Society of Jesus. We talk with Father Richards about how smartphones can help (and hurt) our prayer life, what it’s like to work at the Jesuit curia (a.k.a the home office) and what it means to take a “digital pilgrimage.” And in Signs of the Times, Ashley and Zac discuss President Joe Biden’s asylum policy being at odds with Catholic teaching, the five lucky cousins who will receive an inheritance from the late Pope Benedict XVI and Georgetown University poaching the star coach of Providence College’s men’s basketball team. Links from the show: Bishop Seitz on Biden’s new asylum policy: Death cannot be the cost of our immigration laws Five cousins of late Pope Benedict XVI may receive small inheritance Georgetown hires Ed Cooley to revive Hoyas men's basketball JesuitPilgrimage App Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices