Jesuitical

Cyrus Habib is the 16th and current Lieutenant Governor of Washington State. Born in Baltimore, Md., Cyrus is a three-time cancer survivor and has been fully blind since he was 8-years-old. His parents immigrated to the United States from Iran before he was born, and he is both the first and only Iranian-American official to hold statewide elected office in the United States. We ask Cyrus how his Catholic faith shapes his public service and how citizens and politicians alike can work toward the common good in these polarized times. In Signs of the Times, during the royal wedding, Bishop Michael Curry name-dropped French Jesuit, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin. Who was this controversial Jesuit philosopher? Next, Pope Francis is creating 14 new cardinals, and a Seattle nun is taking on the gun industry—from the inside. Plus, Irish citizens are voting today on whether or not to repeal the Eighth Amendment, which recognizes that both mothers and unborn children have an equal right to life. We discuss why repealing the Eighth Amendment will be a step back for Ireland. Finally, following an investigation into the Chilean sexual abuse crisis, 34 bishops in Chile have offered their resignation. Sexual abuse survivor Juan Carlos Cruz said that during his meeting with the pope, Francis stated: “Juan Carlos, that you are gay doesn’t matter. God made you like this and loves you like this and it doesn’t matter to me. The pope loves you like this.” We discuss the impact of the pope’s comments. Make sure to check us out on Twitter @jesuiticalshow, and send us some feedback by emailing jesuitical@americamedia.org. You can support the show by joining our Patreon community. And we are also on Facebook! We love hearing from all of our listeners weekly, and we wanted to give you all the opportunity to not just continue talking with us but to get to know each other as well! If you haven’t joined yet, go do that. And a special shoutout to our sponsor, “Pope Francis: A Man of His Word,” written and directed by three-time Academy Award nominee Wim Wenders. Links from the show: Who was the Jesuit priest mentioned during the Royal Wedding sermon? Pope Francis announces that he will create 14 new cardinals in June Abuse victim says Pope Francis told him “being gay doesn't matter” All of Chile’s bishops offer resignations after meeting pope on abuse Meet the Seattle nun who infiltrated a gun company The Irish Exception What’s on tap?Substance, a Washington State wine, brought to us by Cyrus Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s not an easy position for faithful Catholics to stake out, criticizing a popular pope. But Ross Douthat is worried about where Pope Francis is leading the Catholic Church. In his new book, To Change the Church: Pope Francis and the Future of Catholicism, the New York Times op-ed columnist argues that Francis’ “truces” with the modern world—specifically his more pastoral approach on issues ranging from divorce and same-sex relationships to euthanasia—threaten to not only divide and weaken the church but betray the very words of Jesus. We ask Ross whether he thinks people in the pews share his concerns, what mercy means for Catholics who feel hurt by Catholic teachings and what gives him hope about the church. In Signs of the Times: a Catholic school showcases a caged tiger at prom. Bad idea or the worst idea? Plus, new rules for contemplative nuns, the United States’ first African-American priest gets a step closer to sainthood, thoughts on the new Pope Francis biopic and news from the Holy Land. Finally, it’s Mental Health Awareness Week, so we wanted to discuss what more the church can do to support families struggling with mental illness. As always, check us out on Twitter @jesuiticalshow, and send us some feedback by emailing jesuitical@americamedia.org. You can support the show (and get exclusive swag and bonus content!) by joining our Patreon community. Links from the show A Catholic School in Florida Had a Caged Tiger at Its Jungle-Themed Prom and WTF? Vatican issues new rules for communities of contemplative nuns Runaway slave-turned-priest moves closer to beatification California bishops: The mental health care system is broken Pope gets an unprecedented close-up, courtesy of Wim Wenders Pope Francis denounces spiral of violence in the Holy Land What’s on tap? Wisconsin white wine from our very first in-studio Patreon V.I.P. visitor, Creede Caldwell! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What makes a Christian movie? Can you define it based on its themes and subjects? Or is it all in whom it’s marketed at? Alissa Wilkinson is a film critic at Vox, where she covers film and culture. Before writing at Vox, Alissa was critic-at-large at Christianity Today. We discuss the role of religion in film, whether “Christian” or not, what her favorite films are and more on this week’s show. During Signs of the Times, our weekly Catholic news update, we discuss whether the Catholic-imagination themed Met Gala was offensive or awesome, what some churches are doing to aid immigrants in the midst of destructive decrees from the Trump administration and whether non-Catholic spouses might be able to receive communion at Mass. Last week, we launched a Facebook group—you should join! It’s a great way to meet other young-ish, hip-ish and lay-ish Jesuitical listeners. You can also follow us on Twitter and support the show on Patreon. Links from the show: Why the Met Gala is a good thing for Catholicism Sessions: "Zero-tolerance" policy may cause families to be split at border Catholic groups decry end to Temporary Protected Status for Hondurans Dallas-area immigrants apply for Catholic church-issued IDs to ease deportation fears Pope Francis asks German bishops to find agreement on Communion for non-Catholic spouses Paul Ryan reinstates Jesuit as House Chaplain Directory for the Application of Principles and Norms on Ecumenism What's on tap?  Miami Vice, Zac's mom's favorite drink, in honor of her graduation.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we talk with Wajahat Ali, a contributing op-ed writer for The New York Times, where he covers religion, family life and U.S. politics. Wajahat is also one of the producers of the Emmy-nominated series, “The Secret Life of Muslims,” which takes a look into the lives of U.S. Muslims. We talk with Wajahat about the perception of Muslim Americans in the age of Trump, and how his Jesuit education has made him a better Muslim. In Signs of the times, Cardinal Pell stands trial for sex abuse; Katy Perry visits the Vatican; Catholic leaders oppose Bavarian crucifix order; and parishes are closing in Pittsburgh, Pa. Following the forced resignation of Jesuit House chaplain, Patrick Conroy, we ask: Why did this happen And finally: Prom season in Michigan had one Catholic high-school bringing out “modesty ponchos.” We discuss whether or not this is problematic. Follow us Twitter @jesuiticalshow, send us an email at jesuitical@americamedia.org and support our work by becoming a part of our Patreon community. You subscribe to us wherever you get your favorite podcast and leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. And a special shoutout to our sponsor, the Catholic Travel Centre, who made this episode possible. P.S. We are now on Facebook! We love hearing from all of our listeners weekly, and we wanted to give you all the opportunity to not just continue talking with us but to get to know each other as well! If you haven’t joined yet, go do that. Links from the show: Cardinal Pell to stand trial in sex abuse case Katy Perry Meets Pope Francis, Speaks At Vatican Conference Dr. Oz leads Vatican panel on faith and medicine Catholic leaders join criticism of Bavarian crucifix order Do reactions to the firing of Jesuit House chaplain show anti-Catholic bias? Michigan Catholic school to use ‘modesty ponchos’ at prom Bishop Zubik unveils parish reorganization plans for Pittsburgh diocese What’s on tap? Margaritas—or as my co-hosts like to say, “margs” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Any way I tell this story is a lie.” Mary Karr opens her memoir “Lit” with a warning about the inevitable unreliability of memory. But don’t be fooled. Mary Karr delivers many truths that you need to hear. Mary Karr is an award-winning poet and New York Times best-selling author. Her poems have been published in the New Yorker, the Atlantic and the Paris Review. Her trilogy of memoirs, The Liars Club, Cherry and Lit, chronicle her traumatic childhood in southeast Texas, her turbulent coming of age as a woman and poet, her marriage and motherhood, alcoholism and recovery and conversion to the Catholic faith. We were grateful to chat with Mary about all of this and more during our live event at America’s headquarters in New York City, sponsored by the Catholic Travel Centre. Before we delve into the live recording, we’re reunited with Olga (who missed the live event, succumbing to a nasty fever) to discuss the week’s top Catholic news: A surprise parish visit from a Catholic NBA all-star; Pope Francis gives out free gelato on his name day to Rome’s needy and appoints three women to consult the Vatican’s oldest congregation; a nun is being deported for living out the Gospel in the Philippines; and we discuss an alarming trend of the killing of priests in Mexico. As always, check us out on Twitter @jesuiticalshow, and send us some feedback (or just say hi! We love that too.) by emailing jesuitical@americamedia.org. You can support the show (and get exclusive swag and bonus content!) by joining our Patreon community. Links from the show Trust the prayers: Embiid surprises churchgoers near Philly Pope Francis offers free gelato to Rome’s poor and homeless to mark his feast day Be fruitful and multiply: Threatened trees planted in Vatican Gardens Pope Francis appoints three women as consultants to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith Philippines to deport 71-year old Australian nun who advocates for farmers Lay down your weapons, say Mexican bishops after second priest murdered What’s on tap? Sugar Hill Golden Ale, courtesy of Harlem Brewing Company Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As I write this, thousands of students across the country are walking out of their high schools to protest gun violence. April 20 marks the 19th anniversary of the 1999 Columbine High School shooting in Littleton, Colo., which left 13 dead. At the time, it was the deadliest school shooting in modern U.S. history. Tragically, that grisly record had been overtaken several times in the last two decades, most recently at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. After the Parkland shooting on Feb. 14, which left 17 students and employees dead, listeners asked that we dive deeper into the topic of gun violence. So this week, we are talking with Patrick Blanchfield, a writer who has covered the topic for n + 1 among other publications. We ask him why advocacy for gun control has been so ineffective; why religion and theology play such an important role in these debates; and whether the student activism following the Parkland shooting represents a new and promising front for those seeking to pass more restrictive gun laws. In Signs of the Times, Pope Francis admits that he has made serious mistakes in his handling of the sex abuse crisis in Chile; Blessed Oscar Romero finally has an official canonization date; and Catholic agencies are alarmed by the severe drop in the number of Syrian refugees admitted to the United States. Next, we discuss the state of Catholic activism: Is it a problem that the most visible Catholic protesters in peace and justice movements are often baby boomers? Where are all the millennial Catholics? Finally, need a good pump up video? Check out these boxing nuns in Poland. Need a good cry? Watch this video of Pope Francis responding to a young boy who asks: is my atheist father in heaven? Follow us Twitter @jesuiticalshow, send us an email at jesuitical@americamedia.org and support our work by becoming a part of our Patreon community. You subscribe to us wherever you get your favorite podcast and leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Links from the show Pope Francis admits ‘serious errors’ in handling of Chilean sex abuse cases Oscar Romero canonization probably in Rome in October Catholic agencies concerned by drastic drop in Syrian refugees admitted to US Bond Denied for 7 Catholic Protesters Who Prayed on Nuclear Submarine Base in Georgia VIDEO: Boxing nuns take Poland by storm ‘Is my dad in heaven,’ little boy asks pope What’s on tap? Keller Dry-Hopped Lager from Zero Gravity Craft Brewing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whoever says you have to choose between science and faith has not met Guy Consolmagno, S.J.—a Jesuit brother and director of the Vatican Observatory. We ask what projects the pope’s astronomers are working on now, if he believes in aliens and why people in every time and place look to the stars with big questions. And in Signs of the Times, Pope Francis denounces a chemical attack in Syria that killed dozens of innocent civilians. How should the United States respond? And U.S. and Mexican bishops push back on President Trump’s plan to send the National Guard to secure the border as a group of Central American migrants travels north seeking sanctuary. Next, the pope has released a new apostolic exhortation on holiness. Zac, Olga and I discuss our favorite parts of the document. Plus, updates on Catholics in France, Sweden and Brazil—where one church decided to incorporate a drone into the liturgy. As always, we want to hear from you. You can tweet us @jesuiticalshow or send us an email jesuitical@americamedia.org. Please leave us a review on Apple podcasts, tell your friends about the show and check out our Patreon page to support Jesuitical. P.S., if you’re in the New York area next week, come see us talk to New York Times-bestselling author, Mary Karr, for a live recording of Jesuitical! You can buy your tickets here—drinks are on us. Links from the show: Pope Francis denounces chemical weapons attack in Syria Top Five Takeaways from ‘Gaudete et Exsultate’ Bishops on both sides of Mexico border criticize troop deployment France's Macron sparks uproar by reaching out to Catholic Church Sweden's Lutherans to let Catholic parish hold Masses in Lund cathedral Video: Jesus Saves, but Drone Delivers This Catholic Church from Boredom What’s on tap? Need. Coffee. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“You know, I don’t know about Jesuits except what I am learning,” Sarah Silverman tells us on this week’s episode of Jesuitical. “Every Jesuit I meet, I find that I adore and just love the bringing emotion and feelings and intellect together.” Every week, during the interview portion of the podcast, we feature a guest, Catholic and sometimes non-Catholic, that offers an interesting perspective on faith, culture or the news. This week, we welcome Sarah, a comedian, actress and host of “I Love You America with Sarah Silverman.” We discuss why she loves Jesuit priests even as a non-believer, whether or not hell exists and why the world desperately needs Mr. Rogers. Before our conversation with Sarah (which starts at 12:15), we discuss and analyze this week’s top Catholic news:this year’s NCAA tournament champions, Villanova and Notre Dame; and Joan Roanhauer, the first woman to lead Jesuit Refugee Services. We also discuss Pope Francis’ latest Easter message, in which he calls for an end to conflicts in the Holy Land and Syria. April 4 also marked 50 years since the assassination of Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Memphis. We talk about Dr. King’s legacy, his influence on people like Pope Francis and the whitewashing of his beliefs. We also discuss the killing of 22-year-old Stephon Clark in Sacramento. Please tweet us @jesuiticalshow or send us an email jesuitical@americamedia.org and let us know your reactions to our conversation with Sarah. And please leave us a review on Apple podcasts and tell your friends about the show. Links from the show: I Love You, America with Sarah Silverman Pope Francis in Easter message calls for end to conflicts in Syria and the Holy Land How Pope Francis carries on Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy of Christian nonviolence First woman to head Jesuit agency takes on refugee crisis Nuns in Poland show ‘fighting spirit’ in boxing video to raise funds for orphanage Ogunbowale encore! Final Four hero lifts Notre Dame to title What’s on tap? Lent is over! Easter is here! So we celebrate with prosecco. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For this week’s episode, we’re bringing you our live recording from last Friday, March 23 at Loyola University Chicago. We’re talking with a frequent guest of the show, James Martin, S.J., about his new podcast “The Examen with Father James Martin.” Now, I will admit—I have always wanted to be good at praying the Examen (like a good Jesuit-educated Catholic), but for various reasons (sloth and original sin) have not been able to. Father Martin told us all why he has never missed a daily Examen since he entered the Jesuits, and why it’s been so essential to his ministry. For Signs of the Times, we mark the fifth anniversary of Pope Francis’ pontificate by discussing our favorite moments from his papacy, and where he has fallen short. We know many of you might be listening in the heart of Triduum and could be looking for a show on that topic. If so, we’ve got you covered. You can check out our interview with Father Martin from last year, where we talked all things Holy Week. Once again, want to give a huge thank you to our Patreon supporters. You can check out the page here.  As always, you can tweet us @jesuiticalshow or send us an email jestuical@americamedia.org. And please leave us a review on Apple podcasts and tell your friends about show. An extra special thank you this week to Loyola University Chicago and the Hank Center for the Catholic Intellectual Heritage for hosting us. It was a great consolation for me to be back on the campus of my alma mater, and especially during the middle of our Cinderella run in N.C.A.A. tournament. Have a blessed Easter, and Go Ramblers. Links from the show The Hank Center for the Catholic Intellectual Heritage Five years into Pope Francis’ papacy, there is much more noise to be made. The Examen with Fr. James Martin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is a papal ninja and how do you become one? This week, we went straight to the source to find out. Sean Bryan competes on the hit NBC show “American Ninja Warrior,” where he takes on insanely difficult obstacle courses—for the greater glory of God. And that’s just his side gig. Sean also helps lead the Lay Mission Project, which forms lay people to live out their faith and transform whatever corner of the secular world they work in. We ask Sean how to pray while doing pull-ups and which church leaders would make good ninjas. And in Signs of the Times: It snowed. Again. The 427th Nor’easter to hit New York this March kept us out of the studio on Wednesday so just a couple of headlines delivered by yours truly: a Catholic school in Australia is in trouble for letting girls wear shorts; Pope Francis gives his imprimatur to tattoos; and World Downs Syndrome Day gives us time to reflect on the human dignity of people with disabilities—in and outside the womb. Once again, want to give a huge thank you to our Patreon supporters. You can check out the page here. Sign up ASAP if you want to take part in our first Jesuitical video chat at the end of the month! As always, you can tweet us @jesuiticalshow or send us an email jestuical@americamedia.org. And please leave us a review on Apple podcasts and tell your friends about show. Links from the show Allowing shorts at a Catholic girls' school is sensible and without hidden intent Pope Francis talks tech, sex and tattoos with young adults ‘Elimination’ of Down syndrome is a ‘great hate crime,’ says Holy See conference at the U.N. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices