This week, Ashley and Zac talk to Patrick Saint-Jean, S.J., a Jesuit in formation, an assistant professor of psychology and a student therapist at Creighton University. Patrick is the author of a new book, The Crucible of Racism, as well as The Spiritual Work of Racial Justice: A Month of Meditations with Ignatius of Loyola. We talk with Patrick about why anti-racism isn’t optional for the spiritual life, his experience with racism in the Jesuits and what young people should be looking for this Lent.  During Signs of the Times, we look at how Pope Francis is responding to the war in Ukraine, and what it means to pray for peace, even if it feels useless sometimes.  Links from the show:  The Crucible of Racism The Spiritual Work of Racial Justice Podcast: Can Pope Francis negotiate peace between Russia and Ukraine? Praying for peace in Ukraine—even when it feels useless What’s on tap?  Nothing for Lent.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anti-racism spirituality, Ukraine and Pope Francis, and praying when it feels useless

Welcome to Jesuitical, a podcast for young Catholics hosted by two young, lay editors at America—Zac Davis and Ashley McKinless. Each episode features a guest who offers a unique perspective on faith, culture or current events. We also bring you some of the top (and maybe more obscure) Catholic news of the week. And we'll ask: Where do we find God in all this?

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News Commentary

Basketball fans know Steve Javie as a longtime N.B.A. referee and a frequent commentator on ESPN and ABC. But for the parishioners at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Newtown, Pa., he’s Deacon Steve.  
 In the midst of the N.B.A. finals tournament, Deacon Steve took some time out of his busy schedule to chat with Zac and Ashley about life on the court and in the pulpit.  
 They discuss: His journey from zealous rookie ref to humble officiator in the N.B.A. The dangers of turning sports into your religion. How his career in refereeing has informed his ministry as a permanent deacon. 
 In Signs of the Times, a second miracle has been attributed to Blessed Carlo Acutis. Zac and Ashley discuss the life and legacy of the Italian teenager on track to be the first millennial saint. Plus, Pope Francis has again used a homophobic slur in a discussion about admitting gay men to seminary. How are Catholics supposed to understand these comments from a pope who famously said about gay priests, “Who am I to judge?” 
 Links from the show: Pope Francis recognizes miracle needed for the first ‘millennial’ saint: Blessed Carlos Acutis Pope Francis uses gay slur for second time in closed-door meeting, Italian reports allege Jesuitical: Pope Francis used a homophobic slur. How should Catholics respond? 
 What’s on tap? Miller Lite—on ice 
 
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Meet Steve Javie: Legendary NBA ref and Catholic deacon

It’s a very special week on “Jesuitical”—Ethan Hawke joins us to discuss his new film, “Wildcat,” about the Catholic writer Flannery O’Connor, who is portrayed in the film by Ethan’s daughter, Maya. Zac, Ashley and Ethan share a wide-ranging and profound conversation about this great American writer and the work of bringing her to life in “Wildcat.” They discuss:
Ethan’s introduction to Flannery through Maya and the inspiration behind “Wildcat”
Portraying Flannery’s complicated views on race
Exploring religious questions through art

 Links from the show:
Ethan Hawke’s new biopic ‘Wildcat’ gracefully captures Flannery O’Connor’s complex attitudes on race, writing and faith
What can we learn from our confirmation names?
Share your confirmation saint name in our Facebook group

﻿ What’s on tap? Flannery’s favorite concoction: Coca-Cola and coffee (plus a shot of bourbon, per Ethan’s recommendation)   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ethan Hawke on Faith, Imagination, and Flannery O’Connor

This week on “Jesuitical,” we’re breaking from our usual format to discuss news out of the Vatican that Pope Francis used a homophobic slur while discussing church policy on admitting gay men to the priesthood. To discuss this incident and the apology that followed, Ashley is joined by “Jesuitical” producer Sebastian Gomes; Mike O’Loughlin, executive director of Outreach, a resource for L.G.B.T.Q. Catholics; and Ricardo da Silva, S.J., producer of the “Inside the Vatican” podcast, host of the “Preach” podcast and an associate editor at America. They discuss:  The context of the incident, the Vatican’s response, and the implications for L.G.B.T.Q. Catholics Vatican policy about gay men in seminaries and the history of Francis’ outreach to L.G.B.T.Q. Catholics Advice for those affected by the pope’s comments Links from the show:  I am a gay priest. We need more than an apology for Pope Francis’ homophobic slur. Pope Francis used an anti-gay slur. What now for L.G.B.T.Q. Catholics? Pope Francis says Italian seminaries should reject gay applicants Vatican issues apology after Pope Francis’ use of an anti-gay slur Pope Francis’ remarks about gay seminarians ‘taken out of context and used to divide,’ Italian bishop says 
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Pope Francis used a homophobic slur. How should Catholics respond?

This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley are live at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio, for a conversation with Eric Sundrup, S.J., who provides spiritual direction (or spiritual violence, depending on who you ask) for the podcast. The hosts and Eric share their own experiences discerning their paths as young adults and offer insights from Jesuit spirituality to young people navigating big life questions. They discuss: The need for community and friends you can be vulnerable with while discerning How consolation and desolation can guide discernment Advice for young people discerning their path During Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley are joined by Stuart Wilson-Smith, C.S.P., the Catholic chaplain at the University of California, Los Angeles, to discuss the recent student protests taking place on campus. Father Stu describes the scene on U.C.L.A.’s campus, how the Catholic center offered support and spaces for interfaith dialogue to students, and where he saw God amid the protests. Links from the show:  UCLA’s Catholic chaplain: The world saw scenes of violence at campus protests. Here’s what they didn’t see. Learn more about the Paulists What’s on tap? Kentucky Bourbon from the Neeley Family Distillery  
 
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Discerning the spirits with Eric Sundrup, S.J.

Ryan Burge set out to learn how many Catholics agree with church teachings on three key pro-life issues: abortion, euthanasia and the death penalty. The answer? Fewer than 1 percent. This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley are joined by Ryan, an associate professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University and the author of the “Graphs about Religion” Substack, to discuss his findings on the beliefs of American Catholics today. They discuss: Trends in Catholic opinion on pro-life issues. How faith-based beliefs and secular politics interact in our polarized society. The role of data in understanding religious trends and effectively communicating church teaching. In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss the eucharistic pilgrimages taking place ahead of July’s National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. They also cover the controversial commencement speech given by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker at Benedictine College. Links from the show: Cafeteria Catholicism? Planning to join up with the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage? Here’s what you need to know. Harrison Butker’s commencement speech and the danger of a Catholic ‘dead traditionalism’ Young U.S. Catholics want more orthodoxy. That doesn’t mean they reject Vatican II. Podcast: When Catholic doctrine can change—and when it can’t What’s on tap? Carajillos (2 parts cold brew, 2 parts Licor 43) 
 
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Anti-racism spirituality, Ukraine and Pope Francis, and praying when it feels useless

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