On this week’s episode of “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley interview bestselling Irish author John Connell on how embracing the farm life preserved by his family for generations brought him closer to God and greater inner peace. John’s new book, The Lambing Season, explores the rhythms and realities of raising livestock, as well as the profound spiritual guidance John gleaned from a simple flock of sheep. 

Zac, Ashley and John discuss: 

- How John’s spiritual awakening on a Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in Spain led to his transformation from journalist and world traveler to shepherd on his family’s farm 

- John’s discovery of the spiritual and therapeutic power of lambing season in Ireland

- The contrast and balance between rural and urban life, and the need for citydwellers to “make appointments with nature”

In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris after a fire in 2019, Pope Francis’ latest consistory that created 21 new cardinals on Saturday, Dec. 7, and how the Loyola Chicago Ramblers recovered after (seemingly) snubbing their very own Sister Jean from a celebratory fist bump after their win against Eastern Michigan. 

Links for further reading: 

The Lambing Season: Stories of Life on an Irish Family Farm

The Cow Book: A Story of Life on an Irish Family Farm

Pomp and presidents at the reopening of Notre Dame in Paris

Podcast: Pope Francis creates 21 cardinals, calls for an end to U.S. death penalty

Read: Pope Francis’ homily and message to new cardinals

A busy weekend for Pope Francis: The Immaculate Conception, a consistory and prayers for death row inmates in the United States

You can follow us on X and on Instagram @jesuiticalshow.  

You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/jesuitical. 

Please consider supporting Jesuitical by becoming a digital subscriber to America Media at americamagazine.org/subscribe

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices