Jesuitical

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

“No child is going to be abandoned twice.” That is the mission of Mustard Seed Communities, a nonprofit founded by Monsignor Gregory Ramkissoon to serve some of the most vulnerable people on earth: children and adults in low-income countries with severe mental or physical disabilities. What began as a small home for a handful of children who were left to fend for themselves on the streets of Kingston, Jamaica, is now a network of communities providing 600 children and adults with shelter, education, health care and training in Jamaica, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Zimbabwe and Malawi.We ask Monsignor Gregory what inspired his ministry, about the ethics of “mission trips” and how working with people the world has discarded has shaped his understanding of God.You can find out more about Mustard Seed Communities—and support their incredible work this Giving Tuesday—here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unless you are a saint (and maybe even if you are one), there is probably someone in your life, whether a relative on Facebook or a person you’ve never actually met on Twitter, who makes you think...less than charitable thoughts. While self-righteous take-downs of your political opponents can feel good in the moment, they are unlikely to change anyone’s mind—and probably aren’t great for your own emotional well-being either.Our guest this week, Kirsten Powers, shows another way forward. A political commentator for places like Fox News and CNN, Kirsten has been at the center of our toxic national discourse for years, and in her new book, Saving Grace, she provides hard-earned wisdom for dealing with people across political and cultural divides.In Signs of the Times, the debate over the bishops’ document on the Eucharist ends in a whimper, our friend and colleague Michael O’Loughlin gets a letter from Pope Francis and Zac and Ashley discuss an increasingly popular practice in Italy: “de-baptism.”Thanks to everyone who is supporting Jesuitical on Patreon. We have a new bonus episode dropping for you soon! If you’re not yet a member of our Patreon community, sign up here today.Links from the show: Debate over the Eucharist and pro-choice politicians ends in a whimper at bishops’ meeting Pope Francis thanks America’s Michael J. O’Loughlin for reporting on Catholic responses to H.I.V./AIDS In Catholic Italy, ‘de-baptism’ is gaining popularity Saving Grace: Speak your truth, stay centered and learn to coexist with people who drive you nuts What’s on tapMargaritas on the rocks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices