Jesuitical

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This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley struggle to resist the temptation to “type” each other as they learn about the Enneagram from Liz Orr, a college chaplain who created the popular “Rude Ass Enneagram” Instagram account and authored the new book, “The Unfiltered Enneagram: A Witty and Wise Guide to Self-Compassion.”

They discuss:

Various personality types and how they relate to each other (including Zac and Ashley)

How we create defensive structures to protect our egos and what to do about it

What the Catholic Church as a community and institution can learn from the Enneagram about humble self-assessment

In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss the developing news around Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganó, former nuncio to the United States, who has been formally charged with schism by the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. They also preview the upcoming Jubilee year of hope and chart the pilgrimages and charitable works that will grant you an indulgence!

What’s on tap?

Spicy Margarita 

Links:

Archbishop Viganó charged with schism by the Vatican, will face trial

Archbishop Viganò says he will not participate in Vatican schism trial

Rude Ass Enneagram Instagram account

The Unfiltered Enneagram: A Witty and Wise Guide to Self-Compassion

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This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley are joined by journalist Rachel Swarns to discuss her latest book, The 272: The Families Who Were Enslaved and Sold to Build the American Catholic Church. Rachel shares her wisdom about this important issue for U.S. Catholics and her experience as a Black Catholic, opening up a wide-ranging conversation about the work being done to repair such a grave injustice and promote racial justice in the church.

They discuss:

The history of Catholic slaveholding and the Jesuits’ involvement in the slave trade

The sale of enslaved people by the Jesuits in 1838, its impact on families and the reunion of the descendants 

The efforts of Georgetown University and the church to repair this injustice

In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley cover Pope Francis’ recent meeting with comedians from around the world (and America’s editor at large, James Martin, S.J.). They then discuss the pope’s trip to the G7 in Italy and the concerns he raised in his speech about artificial intelligence. Lastly, they talk about recent polling from the Vinia Research Group that found that Catholics’ belief in the real presence in the Eucharist is higher than a 2019 report from the Pew Research Group would suggest.

What’s on tap?

Prosecco

Links from the show:

Pope Francis jokes with Colbert, Fallon, Conan, Whoopi, Chris Rock, Gaffigan and others at the Vatican

Pope Francis has private meeting with Joe Biden at G7 summit

New Study Suggests More Than Two-Thirds of Catholics Believe the Eucharist is Truly Jesus

Do most Catholics think the Eucharist is ‘just a symbol’? It’s complicated.

The 272: The Families Who Were Enslaved and Sold to Build the American Catholic Church by Rachel L. Swarns

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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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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:

Links from the show:



What’s on tap?

Flannery’s favorite concoction: Coca-Cola and coffee (plus a shot of bourbon, per Ethan’s recommendation)

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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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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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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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This week on Jesuitical, Zac and Ashley are joined by Andrea Von Kampen, a singer-songwriter and friend of the show. Hailing from Lincoln, Neb., Andrea discusses her new album, “Sister Moon.” (For those keeping track at home, yes, that is a St. Francis of Assisi reference.) Recorded at Union Pool in Brooklyn, N.Y., they share a wide-ranging conversation touching on spirituality, live music, the environment and more.

They discuss:

The spiritual and environmental influences on “Sister Moon”

How Andrea writes about important issues without being preachy

The joys and challenges of touring as a singer-songwriter, especially post-Covid

In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley cover the ins and outs of the recent synod meeting of parish priests at the Vatican. They also discuss a “home blessing challenge” in Cincinnati, then close out by talking about the Catholics who recently received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from a fellow Catholic, President Joe Biden.

Links from the Show

Sister Moon

Andrea Von Kampen's website

Parish priests had a synod meeting with the Vatican. But will they be included in October’s assembly?

Cincinnati priests compete to meet parishioners in home blessing challenge

Jesuit Father Gregory Boyle and Nancy Pelosi to be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom

Francesco: A Pope Francis Documentary

What’s on tap?

Nine Pin Hard Cider

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This week on Jesuitical, Zac and Ashley share their conversation with Cardinal Wilton Gregory on the role of a church in a polarized society. As the Archbishop of Washington, D.C., “the epicenter of division,” Cardinal Gregory has devoted himself to bringing people together across vast political and faith-based differences, lending profound insight (and humor!) to this live conversation, which was hosted by Georgetown University’s Catholic Social Thought and Public Life and Leadership Roundtable.

They discuss:

During Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley are joined by one of Jesuitical’s assistant producers, Delaney Coyne, to break down a recent debacle surrounding an A.I. priest. They cover the laicization of Catholic Answers’ “Father Justin” and discuss the kind of insights this technology can—and can’t—provide.

Want to advertise your school, ministry program, book or anything else on Jesuitical? Send us an email at [email protected] 

Links from the show

The real lesson behind the ‘Father Justin’ AI priest debacle.

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Few events inspire a media spectacle quite like the election of a pope. The white smoke, cardinals locked in the Sistine Chapel, secret ballots and ancient rules—it’s catnip for secular and Catholic journalists alike. But how did these customs evolve—and how might they change in the future?

To find out, Zac and Ashley talk with Miles Pattenden, a historian, expert in the history of papal conclaves and the author of Electing the Pope in Early Modern Italy, 1450-1700.

They discuss:

How the election of popes evolved from St. Peter to today

The role of the Holy Spirit—and politicking—inside conclaves

And whether the secrecy of conclaves can survive in a modern world that prizes transparency

In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss a new Justice Department investigation into last year’s leaked F.B.I. memo about the potential domestic threat posed by “traditional Catholics.” Plus, in a talk about forgiveness, a Michigan bishop called on Catholics not to “hate” politicians like Joe Biden—and then called the president stupid. 

Want to advertise your school, ministry program, book or anything else on Jesuitical? Send us an email at [email protected] 

Links from the show:

No Bias Found in F.B.I. Report on Catholic Extremists

Biden ‘doesn't understand the Catholic faith,’ bishop says: ‘I’m not angry at him, he’s just stupid’

Electing the Pope in Early Modern Italy, 1450-1700, by Miles Pattenden 

MilesPattenden.com

What’s on tap?

Amaro Spritz

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