Jesuitical How a modern-day shepherd found God on his Irish family farm
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
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