Jesuitical

We're having a conversation with Kerry Weber, author of a new essay in America titled "You will never regret going to the funeral." Read the article here and listen to the full conversation at: https://www.patreon.com/americamedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

And just like that, with a papal decree last week, St. Irenaeus of Lyon became the 37th “doctor of the church.” Who was Irenaeus? What was the church like when he lived, sometime during the second century? And how did interpret and defend Scripture and Christian theology in a time before the Bible as we know it and the Creed even existed? To find out, we brought on Scott Moringiello, an associate professor in the Catholic studies department at DePaul University and an expert on Irenaeus and the history of biblical exegesis. We also get into what it’s like to teach undergraduates theology, often against their will.During Signs of the Times, we discuss the report on sex abuse in the Archdiocese of Munich, where Pope Emeritus Benedict served as bishop for four years, and Gonzaga University’s decision to revoke alumnus John Stockton’s basketball seasons tickets. Finally, we discuss the role of literature in our faith lives.Links from the show: Register to come with Jesuitical to Italy in September!Pope Francis declares St. Irenaeus a doctor of the churchExplainer: Pope Francis is naming St. Irenaeus a ‘Doctor of the Church.’ What does that mean?“The Rhetoric of Faith: Irenaeus and the Structure of the Adversus Haereses”Podcast: What you need to know about Pope Benedict’s record on sexual abuseGonzaga revokes John Stockton’s season tickets over his refusal to wear masks.What’s on Tap: Bourbon (for some French influence to honor Irenaeus)  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You have probably heard that in order for someone to be declared a saint they (usually) need to have two miracles attributed to their intercession. But how does the Catholic Church decide what’s a miracle and what is just a rare healing—or a hoax?To find out, we spoke with Bishop Eusebio Elizondo, an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Seattle who has served as the “devil’s advocate” in the canonization process. The devil’s advocate (today formally known as the “promoter of the faith”) is appointed by the church to make the case against a candidate’s sainthood. We ask Bishop Elizondo what kinds of questions the devil’s advocate asks, how modern science has changed the church’s understanding of miracles and why most miracles today involve healing—as opposed to, say, water and wine or loaves and fishes.In Signs of the Times, we preview the Jan. 22 beatification of Rutilio Grande, a Jesuit priest and martyr from El Salvador, and discuss an advice column about Catholic weddings that raises interesting questions about the role of parents in the sacrament. Links from the show: Come to Italy with Jesuitical! 4 lessons from Rutilio Grande, priest, prophet and martyr Ask Amy: Upset mother objects to paying for Catholic wedding Boy’s recovery a Kateri miracle What’s on tap?Last night’s leftover wine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For every A-list celebrity, there are thousands of people working behind the scenes and in supporting roles. They hustle from gig to gig, stitching jobs and roles together to make a living. They’re people like Marianne Muellerleile. Marianne is a distinguished actor who has appeared in hundreds of films, TV series and commercials. We talk to Marianne about what it’s like being Catholic in Hollywood, and what makes for a funny commercial (she’s been in quite a few, including Geico’s “Aunt Infestation”).On Signs of the Times, we talk about the ethics of a Catholic school running up the score in a basketball game and discuss some new research about the true identity of Mary Magdalene. Links from the show: Come to Italy with Jesuitical!A School Won 92-4 in Basketball. Then the Coach Was Suspended.Was Mary Magdalene really from Magdala? Two scholars examine the evidenceJoin our Patreon community!What’s on tap? Tea and decaf instant coffee, for a “Dry Second Wednesday in January” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A charismatic demagogue with millions of devoted followers. A novel means of communication with little government regulation and few guardrails. The threat of violence in the streets and a country in crisis.No, we’re not talking about the 45th president but America’s first radio priest, Father Charles Coughlin. On “Radioactive,” a new podcast series from Tablet Studios, Andrew Lapin takes listeners through the history of Father Coughlin, who through a mixture of Catholic piety, anti-Semitism and raw political ambition became the most popular voice on the U.S. airwaves during the Great Depression and the lead up to World War II.We ask Andrew what Father Coughlin’s story can tell us about the connection between religious demagoguery and authoritarianism; the Wild West of new media platforms; and the failure of the church to reign in Catholics who exploit these toxic forces.In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley share some Pope Francis-inspired New Year’s resolutions and give their predictions for Catholic stories coming in 2022.Links from the show: Volunteer, stop judging and get off Twitter: 8 New Year’s Resolutions Inspired by Pope Francis Pope Francis’ action-packed agenda for 2022 Potentially explosive report will document handling of sex abuse in Pope Benedict’s former diocese Who will be the first Black Catholic saint from the United States? Join our Patreon community Come to Italy with Jesuitical! What’s on tap?Bringing in the New Year with some Bubbly Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're unpacking the pope's controversial comments about having children or pets.To listen to the full conversation, go to https://www.patreon.com/americamedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why was Jesus always feasting, eating and drinking? What makes the table a place of sacred encounter? And how are you supposed to learn how to cook on a budget? Lidia Bastianich is a best-selling cookbook author, an Emmy award-winning public television host, restaurateur and the owner of a flourishing food and entertainment business. She’s also someone who has overcome extraordinary odds in her life. Born in the Istrian peninsula, her family fell behind the Iron Curtain when it became Yugoslavia. Her family crossed the border into Italy, living in a refugee camp in Trieste before being relocated permanently in the United States by Catholic Charities. In her new PBS special, “Lidia Celebrates America: Overcoming the Odds,” she tells the stories—and shares the table with—other resilient Americans with inspiring stories. Links from the show:“Lidia Celebrates America: Overcoming The Odds.”Come to Italy with Jesuitical!Italian Bishop Gives Children Harsh News: There Is No Santa ClausWine at Communion, the sign of peace, holy water fonts: Will these parts of the Mass ever come back?What’s on Tap?2016 Bastianich Plus White WineTequila for Kevin, our studio manager’s, birthday Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jesus said the poor will always be with us, but that doesn’t mean we can’t end homelessness. And this week’s guest, Rosanne Haggerty, is dedicated to doing just that. Rosanne is the president and C.E.O. of Community Solutions, which develops innovative, data-driven strategies to end homelessness and strengthen communities. We ask Rosanne how Catholic social teaching informs her work and to break down some common misconceptions about homelessness in the United States.In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone’s vaccination status and the Archdiocese of Cincinnati’s bold parish restructuring plan.Finally, Friday morning is your last chance to enter your name in a drawing for a signed copy of Michael O’Loughlin’s new book, Hidden Mercy, by becoming a member of our Patreon community.Links from the show:Join the Jesuitical Podcast on Pilgrimage in Italy!San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone reveals he is not vaccinated against Covid-19Archdiocese of Cincinnati to reduce 208 parishes to 57 ‘families of parishes’Learn more about Community Solutions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In public, the Catholic Church and L.G.B.T. activists were constantly clashing in the 1980s and ’90s over the treatment of gay and lesbians in the church and the institution’s role in responding to the H.I.V./AIDS epidemic. But behind the headlines, there were stories of Catholics responding with compassion and heroism in the face of fear and stigma. Michael J. O’Loughlin, national correspondent for America, joins Zac and Ashley to discuss his new book, Hidden Mercy: AIDS, Catholics, and the Untold Stories of Compassion in the Face of Fear. Links from the show:Hidden MercyHow the Catholic Worker Movement inspired one couple to open their doors to people with AIDSHark! The Stories Behind Our Favorite Christmas Carols Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Robert McCarthy is a 25 year old Catholic law student who ran for public office in a local election in Nassau County on Long Island, N.Y. He lost, but learned a lot about local politics, vocation, and himself along the way. To listen to the full conversation, go to patreon.com/americamedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices