Jesuitical

Abortion “is not an argument anyone is going to win,” Caitlin Flanagan wrote in a December 2019 essay for The Atlantic. “The loudest advocates on both sides are terrible representatives for their cause.”Caitlin is a staff writer at The Atlantic, where she writes on politics and culture. She identifies as pro-choice. The hosts of this show identify as pro-life. But all of us yearn for a debate and conversation about hard issues like aboriton that isn’t dominated by the vitriol often demonstrated by the “loudest advocates” that Caitlin refers to. We model that and more in this week’s show.During Signs of the Times, we discuss the first woman to be nominated with the right to vote as undersecretary of the synod of bishops; we also get into the controversy over Abby Johnson, a popular pro-life speaker and supporter of President Trump, delivering a speech at the Catholic University of America.This episode of Jesuitical is brought to you by The Great Courses Plus. Sign up for The Great Courses Plus and get an entire month of unlimited access to thousands of video and audio courses from the world’s best professors by visiting http://thegreatcoursesplus.com/jesuitical.As always, thanks for listening. You can support the media ministry of America and unlock unlimited access to all our articles with a digital subscription for less than $1 per week. Subscribe here. And to get all that plus bonus content from Jesuitical, become a member of our Patreon community.Links from the Show:One woman can vote in next year’s synod. Others are ‘under consideration.’Catholic University students object to pro-life speaker Abby Johnson, citing past comments on raceThe Dishonesty of the Abortion DebateWhat’s on tap?Michelob Ultra Seltzers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whether you are an agnostic seeker who’s curious about the whole “prayer” thing or a seasoned Catholic looking to deepen your relationship with God, James Martin, S.J., has a book for you—and everyone else. In his new book, Learning to Pray: A Guide for Everyone, Father Martin not only answers the question “Why pray?” and introduces readers to different types of prayer; he tackles what he considers “one of the most confusing parts about the spiritual life”: What happens when you pray? That is, what are you supposed to hear or feel when you close your eyes?  We talk to Father Martin about the most common barriers to prayer, how you can tell what’s coming from God in prayer and whether we’re thinking about “consolations and desolations” in the right way. Plus, we bring him the questions you, dear listeners, posted to the Jesuitical Facebook group.In Signs of the Times, we’ve got to stories from Pope Francis. First, in a meeting with Italian catechists, the pope made clear that the Second Vatican Council is part of church teaching, saying, “If you do not follow the council or you interpret it in your own way, as you wish, you are not with the church.” Over 50 years after Vatican II, why is its legacy still up for debate? Next, Pope Francis has declared the fourth Sunday of July (the feasts of Sts. Joachim and Anne) the World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly. We discuss what the coronavirus pandemic has revealed about the treatment of the elderly in our society—and what lessons the pope wants us to take forward.This episode of Jesuitical is brought to you by The Great Courses Plus. Sign up for The Great Courses Plus and get an entire month of unlimited access to thousands of video and audio courses from the world’s best professors by visiting http://thegreatcoursesplus.com/jesuitical. As always, thanks for listening. You can support the media ministry of America and unlock unlimited access to all our articles with a digital subscription for less than $1 per week. Subscribe here. And to get all that plus bonus content from Jesuitical, become a member of our Patreon community.Links from the showPope Francis: Vatican II must be taught as part of church teaching, or ‘you are not with the church’Pope Francis establishes World Day of Grandparents and the ElderlyGod’s voice or mine? 7 tips on what to listen to in prayerLearning to Pray: A Guide for Everyone, by James Martin, S.J.What’s on tap?Sweatpants Sazerac (from The New Yorker’s “Seasonal Cocktails for Your Seasonal Depression”) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every year, tens of thousands of students, priests, sisters and pro-life activists gather in Washington, D.C., around the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision in Roe v. Wade to witness against abortion. This year, the march looks different because of Covid-19. But it is also noteworthy for another reason: It is the first march of the “post-Trump era.” Though he is no longer president, for many Americans, Donald Trump will remain the face of the pro-life movement for years to come. So where do we go from here? What can those of us who oppose abortion and the death penalty—who want Roe overturned and for our country to welcome refugees—do to change the conversation around life issues?Thankfully, we got one answer to that question back in 2019, when we talked with Destiny Herndon-De La Rosa, the founder of New Wave Feminists. Destiny became a mother at a young age, and her experience inspired her to to form the pro-life, feminist organization that gives women the support and resources needed to make motherhood a feasible option. We wanted to share this conversation with you (again) because it’s people like Destiny who give us hope for the future of the pro-life movement. This episode of Jesuitical was brought to you by The Great Courses (Plus). Sign up for The Great Courses (Plus) and get an entire month of unlimited access to thousands of video and audio lectures from the world’s best professors by visiting http://thegreatcoursesplus.com/jesuitical.As always, thanks for listening. You can support the media ministry of America and unlock unlimited access to all our articles with a digital subscription for less than $1 per week. Subscribe here. And to receive bonus content and swag from Jesuitical, check out our Patreon community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Wednesday, Jan. 20, Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States, only the second Catholic ever to hold the office.Zac and Ashley are joined by Matt Malone, S.J., to discuss their reactions to President Biden’s inauguration—including the prayers offered by other Jesuits throughout the day. Father Malone is the editor in chief of America, worked in politics before joining the Jesuits and brings a historical and personal eye to the events of the week.We’re happy to report that Pope Francis, Pope Emeritus Benedict and guests at the Vatican’s homeless shelter all received a vaccine for Covid-19, even as the Catholic Church, like the rest of the world, continues to lose leaders to the virus.Please consider supporting the show by subscribing to America, or by pledging on our Patreon page. Links from the show: Pope Francis sends greeting to President Biden, contrasting with sharper message from head of U.S. bishopsJoe Biden begins Inauguration Day with MassRead: The Invocation at the Inauguration of President Joe BidenJoe Biden knows the grief of losing family—and how our pain can have a purpose.Watch: Matt Malone, SJ interviews Joe BidenWhat’s on tap? Cape Codder: Vodka and cranberry juice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the most alarming aspects of the Jan. 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of President Trump was the prevalence of Christian symbols and language. That the cross and the name of Jesus were used to justify a violent attack on our nation’s democratic institutions shows just how far the Christian community has fallen short, according to this week’s guest, the Rev. Bryan Massingale: “We’ve allowed Christianity, Christian symbols, Christian faith, Christian language to be hijacked in the cause of a human ideology of exclusion and division and division.”  Father Massingale teaches theological and social ethics at Fordham University in New York and is the author of Racial Justice and the Catholic Church. We talk with him about the toxic mix of racism, idolatry and spiritual emptiness on display on Capitol Hill and how Christians should respond. In Signs of the Times, Pope Francis changed canon law this week to allow women to be officially installed as lectors and acolytes (i.e., those who do the readings, serve the altar and distribute Communion at Mass). Zac and Ashley discuss what this means for parishes and the place of women in the church.This episode of Jesuitical was brought to you by The Great Courses (Plus). Sign up for The Great Courses (Plus) and get an entire month of unlimited access to thousands of video and audio lectures from the world’s best professors by visiting http://thegreatcoursesplus.com/jesuitical. As always, thanks for listening. You can support the media ministry of America and unluck unlimited access to all our articles with a digital subscription for less than $1 per week. Subscribe here. And to receive bonus content and swag from Jesuitical, check out our Patreon community.Links from the show:Impeach. Convict. Now.How Catholic Leaders Helped Give Rise to Violence at the U.S. CapitolPope Francis changes canon law: ministries of acolyte and lector open to womenExplainer: The history of women lectors and altar servers—and what Pope Francis has changedThe Racist Attack on Our Nation’s CapitolWhat’s on tap?Johnny Walker Black Label, with a twist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We don’t have to tell you that 2020 has been a really tough year. And yet we know that God is still with us, and we are still celebrating the birth of our savior on Christmas morning. To mark the coming of our Lord, we wanted to do something a little different on Jesuitical. So, instead of covering the Catholic news of the week, we asked you, our listeners, to tell us where you found God in your life amid the loneliness, uncertainty and loss of the coronavirus pandemic. And Zac and Ashley share personal reflections about what Christmas means to them this year.As always, we are grateful to everyone who listens to and supports the show. Have a blessed Christmas season—and we’ll see you next year.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all need a laugh. 2020 has been an absolutely awful year (no citation needed). But is it O.K. for us to take a step back and laugh at it all? We bring on professional funny man and former professional Catholic, Greg Iwinksi, to discuss. Greg is an Emmy-nominated comedy writer and performer, and he currently writes for “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.” He’s previously written for “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” and worked with The Second City and iO theaters.We talk to Greg about the pandemic, the difference between “church” funny and “actual” funny and Trump Jokes. Greg also reminds us that comedy is serious business, and above all about telling the truth. In Signs of the Times, we discuss the Vatican’s controversial Nativity and deliver a Jesuitical SOT-P.S.A. about the newly F.D.A.-approved Covid-19 vaccines.This is our last regular episode of 2020, but there is still time for you to help with our special Christmas edition of Jesuitical. Email a 60-second-or-less voice memo to jesuitical@americamedia.org describing a consolation from 2020. Get your consolation in by Monday, Dec. 21! What’s on tap? Hot ToddyLinks from the show: Greg’s Twitter FeedGreg’s new Star Wars podcastWhy is Darth Vader in the Vatican’s Nativity scene?U.S. Catholic bishops: Getting a COVID-19 vaccine is an ‘act of charity’Waiting for a Covid test is more than just standing in line. It’s an act of mercy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“We’re all monks now” was an early refrain about life in coronavirus lockdown. Time slowed down as we kept to our houses and limited contact with family and friends. Of course, unlike monks, we also had Zoom calls and Netflix. Lots and lots of Netflix. So we wanted to talk to a monk and find out just how much our Covid quarantines resemble life in a monastery.Dom Benedict Nivakoff, O.S.B., is the prior of the Monastery of San Benedetto in Monte in Norcia, Italy, the birthplace of St. Benedict, considered the father of Western monasticism. We ask Father Prior about living under St. Benedict’s Rule and what advice he has for those us struggling to accept the limitations of pandemic life.And during Signs of the Times, Pope Francis has dedicated the next year to St. Joseph. Zac and Ashley share their takeaways from “Patris Corde,” the pope reflection on the foster father of Jesus. Next, the pope plans to visit Iraq in March, but can he do so without putting his and others’ health at risk? And you’ve heard of “Elf on the Shelf,” but what about “Mary on the Mantel”? The hosts debate the merits of a new Advent tradition.Finally, we need your help! 2020 has been a year like no other. It has been filled with suffering and longing, for sure, but also moments of grace. And we want to hear about yours. Send a short voice memo to jesuitical@americamedia.org describing a specific time in the last year when you found God working in your life. We hope to share your consolations in a special Christmas episode.Links from the show:Pope Francis proclaims a year dedicated to St. JosephPatris CordePope Francis plans to visit Iraq in March after getting a Covid vaccine‘Mary on the Mantel’? Think ‘Elf on the Shelf,’ but CatholicWhat’s on tap?Birra Nursia Blonde Ale (You can order it here. A great Christmas gift for the beer lovers in your life!) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This was bound to be an odd Advent. But as a lot of Catholics discovered during the odd Lent, Easter and Ordinary Time we experienced this year, there is also an invitation to develop new traditions and prayer practices. Our guest this week, Tsh Oxenreider, has been helping people connect in new ways and live more simply for a long time through her writing and podcasting. We talk to Tsh about her latest project, Shadow & Light: A Journey Into Advent, and her journey to make Advent meaningful for her family. During Signs of the Times, Ashley and Zac discuss the 13 new cardinals that Pope Francis recently elevated, and what they want to see out of the pope’s closest advisers. They also look at misinformation around Covid vaccines.  What’s on tap? Advent calendar wine, from Zac’s mom.Links from the show: Shadow & Light: A Journey Into Adventtshoxenreider.comPope Francis has made Wilton Gregory the first African-American cardinalU.S. bishops’ internal memo: Catholics can take Covid-19 vaccines Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are good writers, there are Catholic writers and then there are the Catholic literary greats like Flannery O’Connor, Cormac McCarthy, and to the surprise of some, Toni Morison. But what exactly makes their stories distinctly Catholic? And how do themes of incarnation, death and resurrection show up even while the artist has lapsed in their religious practice?Ashley and Zac settle in with the writer Nick Ripatrazone to talk about these literary giants and where the Catholic imagination comes alive in works of fiction. They also talk about Nick’s recently published book “Longing for an Absent God: Faith and Doubt in Great American Fiction.” Links from the show:Longing for an Absent GodNick Ripatrazone Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices