

Jesuitical
America Media
Welcome to Jesuitical, a podcast for young Catholics hosted by two young, lay editors at America—Zac Davis and Ashley McKinless. Each episode features a guest who offers a unique perspective on faith, culture or current events. We also bring you some of the top (and maybe more obscure) Catholic news of the week. And we'll ask: Where do we find God in all this?
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 10, 2021 • 45min
Father Greg Boyle is becoming a mystic with the help of former gang members
If you attended a Jesuit university or high school in the last decade, you were most likely at some point assigned Father Greg Boyle’s first book (and a New York Times best-seller—so, you didn’t need to have attended a Jesuit school to encounter it) Tattoos on the Heart. Father Boyle is a Jesuit priest, the founder of Homeboy Industries and the author of the a new book, The Whole Language: The Power of Extravagant Tenderness, which is scheduled to be released this fall.Ashley and Zac talk to Father Boyle about how Covid and the pandemic restrictions affected his sense of identity and Homeboy Industries’ work, what he’s learned looking back on his years in ministry, and why he is becoming more mystical as he gets older.To support Jesuitical and access all of America's content, get a digital subscription today! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 25, 2021 • 1h 13min
How Dr. Paul Farmer put Catholic social teaching into medical practice
On our season finale, Zac and Ashley talk to Dr. Paul Farmer, the co-founder and chief strategist of Partners in Health (PIH). Founded in 1987, PIH has pioneered an approach to medicine that actually resembles Catholic social teaching’s preferential option for the poor. They talk about the challenges of bringing the Covid-19 vaccine to the poorest and sickest countries and how to salvage hope in desperate times. In Signs of the Times, we break down exactly what is happening with the U.S. Bishops and the debates around whether or not President Biden should receive Communion.What’s on tap: Duckhorn Chardonnay Links from the show:
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Partners in Health
Dr. Farmer’s latest book: Fevers, Feuds, and Diamonds: Ebola and the Ravages of History
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Jun 25, 2021 • 15min
Bonus: What's going on with the Bishops and Joe Biden?
Zac and Ashley break down a story that’s been dominating headlines inside and outside of the Catholic Church this week: The U.S. bishops overwhelming vote to draft a document on “eucharistic coherence,” and what it does and does not mean for President Joe Biden and other politicians. This is an excerpt from this week’s full episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 18, 2021 • 36min
Her mom went to prison. Now she fights to free others from life sentences.
This week on Jesuitical, Zac and Ashley talk with Brittany Barnett about unjust sentencing laws, the experience of visiting her own mother in prison and her work fighting to get clemency for men and women sentenced to life without parole for drug offenses. Brittany is an attorney and the author of the Christopher Award-winning book A Knock at Midnight: A Story of Hope, Justice, and Freedom. Links from the show:A Knock at Midnight: A Story of Hope, Justice, and FreedomSign up for your free trial of Wondrium! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jun 11, 2021 • 1h 3min
Gloria Purvis on why the pro-life movement has been silent on racial justice
This week, Ashley and Zac are joined by Gloria Purvis, the host of America Media’s latest podcast “The Gloria Purvis Podcast.” They discuss conversations about racism in Catholic spaces, the consistent life ethic, her hopes for the podcast, and more. During Signs of the Times, they examine the discovery of 215 bodies buried on the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School run by the Catholic Church and unpack why Cardinal Marx of Germany asked Pope Francis to accept his resignation (since the time of recording, Pope Francis has declined Cardinal Marx’s request). Links from the show:
The Gloria Purvis Podcast
Pope Francis calls for abandonment of colonial mentality after discovery of buried Indigenous children in Canada
Pope Francis rejects Cardinal Marx’s offer of resignation, calls on all bishops to take responsibility for the abuse crisis
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Jun 4, 2021 • 43min
The Devastating Effects of Conversion Therapy on LGBT Catholics
This week, Zac and Ashley talk with Eve Tushnet about her recent feature article for America magazine, “Conversion therapy is still happening in Catholic spaces—and its effects on L.G.B.T. people can be devastating”. During Signs of the Times, they unpack a major overhaul to the church’s legal code and wonder: is basketball the holiest sport?What’s on tap?White Claw Links from the show:
Conversion therapy is still happening in Catholic spaces—and its effects on L.G.B.T. people can be devastating
Pope Francis overhauls church’s criminal code to punish the sexual abuse of adults by priests
Pope: Basketball helps young people to ‘look up’
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May 28, 2021 • 45min
What Catholics can do to fight Islamophobia
This week, Zac and Ashley discuss how Christians have fueled Islamophobia and what we can do to combat anti-Muslim bias in ourselves and in our communities with Jordan Denari Duffner. Jordan, a scholar of Muslim-Christian relations, has faced pushback for her work from fellow Catholics—but says her study of Islam and friendships with Muslims have strengthened her own faith. Our Guest: Jordan Denari Duffner, author of Islamophobia: What Christians Should Know (and Do) about Anti-Muslim DiscriminationRelated Links:
Father James Altman, who said Catholic Democrats would ‘face the fires of hell,’ asked to resign by his bishop
Pope Francis asks the Vatican’s media department, its most expensive office: Who actually reads your news?
Buy Jordan’s book!
What’s on tap: Water and lime for Zac; Lemon ginger tea for AshleySubscribe: Apple Podcasts / Spotify Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 25, 2021 • 53min
Gloria Purvis on the murder of George Floyd one year later
Today we're dropping the first episode of "The Gloria Purvis Podcast" from America Media! Gloria's show centers the voices of people who have been marginalized in the Catholic Church and in society. On this first episode, Gloria reflects on the murder of George Floyd one year later and speaks to a priest ministering in a historic Black Catholic community in Minnesota about the traumatic experience and how Catholics responded across the country.Search and subscribe to "The Gloria Purvis Podcast" wherever you listen to Jesuitical! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

May 21, 2021 • 47min
Catholics: You need to pay attention to what’s happening in Israel-Palestine
What’s going on in the Holy Land—and what’s at the root of the problem? Why should Catholics care? This week, Zac and Ashley have an urgent conversation with Father David Neuhaus—an Israeli Jesuit who brings a unique, on-the-ground perspective to the situation. Our Guest: Father David Neuhaus, superior of the Jesuit community in JerusalemRelated Links:
Former Jerusalem archbishop: How long will Catholics keep ignoring the suffering of Palestinians?
Israeli Jesuit Father David Neuhaus: The first step to peace in the Holy Land is ending the occupation
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May 14, 2021 • 56min
He’s the top Jesuit in the world. Does that make him the pope’s boss? (Or ours?!)
This week, Ashley and Inside the Vatican’s Colleen Dulle chat with Arturo Sosa, S.J., the 31st Superior General of the Society of Jesus. In other words, he’s got St. Ignatius Loyola’s old job. In other words, he leads the world’s Jesuits. Our Guest: Father Arturo Sosa, superior general of the Society of Jesus Related Links:
What the conversion of St. Ignatius can teach us 500 years later
Lay people have been passing on the Catholic faith for 2,000 years. Now Pope Francis has made it an official ministry
Vatican sends letter to U.S. bishops: Don’t rush the debate on Communion, politicians and abortion
Bishop McElroy: The Eucharist is being weaponized for political ends. This must not happen.
For the church to live in eucharistic coherence, we must be willing to challenge Catholics persisting in grave sin.
What’s on tap: The Cannonball (the official cocktail of the Ignatian Year)Ingredients:Mezcal, 2ozLime juice, 3/4ozBlackberries, 6 (reserve one for garnish (this is the ‘cannonball’))Jalapeno slices, 4Agave nectar, 1/2ozSoda water (optional)In the bottom of a cocktail shaker, muddle together blackberries, jalapeno slices and lime juice. Add ice, mezcal, and agave nectar. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Strain into an old fashioned glass with ice. Drop one blackberry in from a height of 6 inches. Observe impact. Clean up. If desired, top with soda water or seltzer. Finally, await convalescence and conversion. Subscribe: Apple Podcasts / Spotify Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices