Jesuitical

If you’re still Catholic, there are presumably things you love about the church. But it can be tempting to focus on the negatives: the scandals, the boring homilies, the lackluster music. This week, Zac and Ashley are doing something a little different: talking about why they love the church with Bishop Donald Hying of Madison, Wis. at a special live recording at St. Thomas Aquinas parish, they discuss:- How Bishop Hying’s love for the church changed when he became a bishop- The saints, the sacraments and the Catholic imagination- How to balance love and hard truths in pastoral workIn Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss a street artist known for his paintings of Pope Francis (and who now has the Vatican’s official stamp of approval) and a new document from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith that reminds priests that when it comes to administering the sacraments, they need to stick to the script.Jesuitical is going on the road in 2024! We hope you’ll join us. And if you’d like Zac and Ashley to come to your city, send us an email at jesuitical@americamedia.orgFeb. 28: Crystal City Marriott Hotel in Arlington, VA Live interview with Cardinal Wilton Gregory on “A Listening Church in a Divided Nation” from 7-8 p.m. Reception to follow from 8-9 p.m. Please RSVP here.March 18: Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. Live interview with American TV Newscaster Carol Costello. Time and venue TBD.Links from the show:- Street artist of ‘Super Pope’ fame gets official Vatican stamp of approval- Vatican to priests: Stick to the script for Sacraments- Bishop Hying: Why I Love the ChurchWhat’s on tap?Fernet Branca on ice Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley are joined by Matthew Cressler, a scholar of Catholicism and race. Matthew created “Bad Catholics, Good Trouble,” a webcomic series about anti-racism and struggles for justice across American Catholic history, which frames an enlightening discussion about racial justice in the Catholic Church.They discuss:- Institutional and individual Catholic responses to the civil rights movement- The history of white supremacy in American Catholicism- What it means to be a “good” or “bad” Catholic in the face of injusticeIn Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss allegations of sexual misconduct against Quebec’s Cardinal Archbishop Gérald Lacroix; a summit in Rome that brought together pairs of Catholic and Anglican bishops from 27 countries; and Martin Scorsese’s latest meeting with Pope Francis.Jesuitical is going on the road in 2024! We hope you’ll join us. And if you’d like Zac and Ashley to come to your parish, diocese, center or school, send us an email at jesuitical@americamedia.org Feb. 28: Crystal City Marriott Hotel in Arlington, VA Live interview with Cardinal Wilton Gregory on “A Listening Church in a Divided Nation” from 7-8 p.m. Reception to follow from 8-9 p.m. Please RSVP here.March 18: Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. Live interview with American TV Newscaster Carol Costello. Time and venue TBD.Drink:Old FashionedsLinks from the show: - Bad Catholics, Good Trouble- Anglican, Catholic bishops travel, pray, work together- Québec’s Cardinal Lacroix, named in sex abuse lawsuit, will temporarily step aside from duties- Martin Scorsese Meets Pope Francis, Announces Film About Jesus- The Joan and Bill Hank Center for the Catholic Intellectual Heritage at Loyola University Chicago Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amy-Jill “AJ” Levine, a Jewish scholar of the New Testament and author of The Misunderstood Jew: The Church and the Scandal of the Jewish Jesus, sits down with Zac and Ashley at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, an Anglican Cathedral in New York City. It’s a dynamic interfaith conversation in an ecumenical setting, and AJ helps break open Jesus’ Jewish identity and context for the hosts.They discuss:  AJ’s Jewish upbringing in Massachusetts and how she became interested in studying the New Testament Common anti-Jewish tropes and misconceptions in New Testament interpretation How interfaith dialogue can help Catholics and Jews better understand each other and ourselves And a final reminder that the deadline to apply to the O’Hare Fellowship is fast approaching. O’Hare Fellows spend a year living in New York City and working at America’s offices in midtown, where they will generate content for America’s multiple platforms: print, web, digital, social media and events. If you or someone you know might be interested in the O’Hare Fellowship, the final deadline to apply is February 1, 2024. Apply here!Jesuitical is going on the road in 2024! We hope you’ll join us. Please email us if you plan to attend any of the events below at, jesuitical@americamedia.org Feb. 28: Crystal City Marriott Hotel in Arlington, VA Live interview with Cardinal Wilton Gregory on “A Listening Church in a Divided Nation” from 7-8 p.m. Reception to follow from 8-9 p.m. Please RSVP here.March 18: Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. Live interview with American TV Newscaster Carol Costello. Time and venue TBD. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On December 18, the Vatican’s doctrinal office released “Fiducia Supplicans,” a declaration that allowed priests to give simple or pastoral blessings to couples in irregular situations, including those in same-sex relationships. This week on “Jesuitical,” Father Alex Santora, pastor of Our Lady of Grace and St. Joseph parish in Hoboken, N.J., joins Zac and Ashley to explain how “Fiducia Supplicans” is being received in his parish.They discuss:- Father Santora’s reaction to “Fiducia Supplicans” and how he plans to discuss the declaration and enflesh it in his parish- Taking a pastoral approach to complicated situations and accompanying people even when you have to tell them “no”- The importance of listening in pastoral ministryIn an infernal Signs of the Times segment, Zac and Ashley cover Pope Francis’ recent comments that he hopes hell is empty, the subsequent criticisms from some Catholics, and why an empty hell might not be such a crazy idea, even if it’s not a dogma of faith. They also dive into a recent poll from Gallup on Pope Francis’ approval ratings in the U.S. (it is an election year, after all) and explore how our country’s ideological divides might impact our view of the pontiff.After the interview, Ashley and Zac welcome another one of Jesuitical’s assistant producers, Delaney Coyne, to share about her experience as an O’Hare Fellow at America. She talks about how her love for social justice led her to apply to the fellowship, the work she does at America and finding God in disagreement. If you or someone you know might be interested in the O’Hare Fellowship the final deadline to apply is February 1, 2024. Apply here!Jesuitical is going on the road in 2024! We hope you’ll join us. Please email us if you plan to attend any of the events below at, jesuitical@americamedia.org Jan 22: Vintage Brewing Company (Madison West) from 7-9 pm. Meet and greet with Zac and Ashley, over drinks! Location: 674 South Whitney Way, Madison, WI 53711Jan. 23: St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Madison, Wisconsin. Mass at 5:30 pm followed by a live interview with Bishop Donald Hying on “Why we love the church” from 6:30-8:30pm.Jan. 25: Loyola University Chicago (Ignatius House) in Chicago, IL. Live discussion with Patrick Gilger, S.J. on, “What the hell should I do with my life?: God, discernment and vocation outside the college bubble” from 7-9 p.m. Student Mass to follow at 9pm (Note: This event has limited capacity. Please RSVP to jesuitical@americamedia.org)Feb. 28: Crystal City Marriott Hotel in Arlington, VA Live interview with Cardinal Wilton Gregory on “A Listening Church in a Divided Nation” from 7-8 p.m. Reception to follow from 8-9 p.m. Please RSVP here.March 18: Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. Live interview with American TV Newscaster Carol Costello. Time and venue TBD.Links from the show:- The Editors: Vatican document on same-sex blessings does not confuse church teaching—it deepens it- Pope Francis says he hopes hell is ‘empty’- 58% of Americans, 77% of U.S. Catholics View Pope FavorablyWhat’s on tap?White Claws Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley welcome John Martens, a professor of theology and director of the Centre for Christian Engagement at St. Mark’s College at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver to shine a light on the Bible passages that have shaped Pope Francis’ papacy.They discuss:- How the Call of Matthew and the Parable of the Good Samaritan shape the pope’s view of a church that is a “field hospital” for sinners- Debates over the connection between justice, truth and mercy- Criticisms of Pope Francis’ approach, especially in the U.S. ChurchIn Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley cover a Vatican official’s recent call to reconsider mandatory priestly celibacy in the church. They also discuss Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, the head of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, who has come under fire for a book he wrote 25 years ago on spirituality and sensuality. And after the interview they welcome another friend to share about his faith: Michael O’Brien, one of America’s O’Hare Fellows who helps produce “Jesuitical.” He shares what drew him to the fellowship and how his post-grad year at America has enriched his faith. If you or someone you know might be interested in the O’Hare Fellowship the final deadline to apply is February 1, 2024. Apply here!Jesuitical is going on the road in 2024! We hope you’ll join us. Please email us if you plan to attend any of the events below at, jesuitical@americamedia.org Jan 22: Vintage Brewing Company (Madison West) from 7-9 pm. Meet and greet with Zac and Ashley, over drinks! Location: 674 South Whitney Way, Madison, WI 53711Jan. 23: St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in Madison, Wisconsin. Mass at 5:30 pm followed by a live interview with Bishop Donald Hying on “Why we love the church” from 6:30-8:30pm.Jan. 25: Loyola University Chicago (Ignatius House) in Chicago, IL. Live discussion with Patrick Gilger, S.J. on, “What the heck should I do with my life?: God, discernment and vocation outside the college bubble” from 7-9 p.m. Student Mass to follow at 9pm (Note: This event has limited capacity. Please RSVP to jesuitical@americamedia.org)Feb. 28: Crystal City Marriott Hotel in Arlington, VA Live interview with Cardinal Wilton Gregory on “A Listening Church in a Divided Nation” from 7-8 p.m. Reception to follow from 8-9 p.m. Please RSVP here.March 18: Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. Live interview with American TV Newscaster Carol Costello. Time and venue TBD.Links from the ShowPope Francis’ focus on the Bible and mercy—and why so many Catholics are uncomfortable with itApply to the O’Hare FellowshipRSVP to our event in Arlington, Virginia!What’s on Tap?New Fangled Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christmas is a time for traditions. From the quirky to the classic, every family has a favorite holiday movie, dish or custom. This week on Jesuitical, Zac and Ashley talk to four of their colleagues about their Advent and Christmas traditions—some old, some aspirational, some completely made up but all filled with the joy and anticipation of the season.This is Jesuitical’s last episode of 2023—unless you become a member of the Patreon community. Next week, members will get a bonus mail-bag episode in their feeds. Zac and Ashley answer listener questions about the synod, the future of the parish and more. Sign up today!Links from the show:The perfect imperfections of the Nativity pageant, by Heather Trotta, vice president for advancementWhat my mother’s Advent gift tradition taught me about the true meaning of giving, by Molly Cahill, associate editorA (Midwestern) discussion about Advent traditions, by Joe Hoover, S.J., poetry editorI love my Advent wreath. I just keep forgetting to light it, by Kerry Weber, executive editorWhat’s on tap?Prosecco with pomegranate seeds…and eggnog with orange Fanta Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley interview Stephanie Saldaña, the author of What We Remember Will Be Saved: A Story of Refugees and The Things They Carry. Stephanie lives with her family in Bethlehem, where the economy has long relied on tourism around Christmas time as Christian pilgrims flock to the site of Jesus’ birth. But as one might imagine with the war raging in Gaza, Advent in Bethlehem looks different this year. Stephanie helps the “Jesuitical” team to enter into that reality.They discuss: Stephanie’s experience on and after Oct. 7 as a Christian living in the West Bank The challenges Bethlehem residents are facing during the war and how that’s impacted Advent celebrations Stephanie’s spirituality and the importance of closeness amid these difficult times In a funeral-focused Signs of the Times segment, Ashley and Zac get into Pope Francis’ recent announcement that he won’t be buried at the Vatican as well as recent Vatican guidelines about scattering ashes. They also talk about the recent lawsuit brought by a group of nuns against gun manufacturer Smith & Wesson. Plus, Zac shares his quibbles with this year’s liturgical calendar.Links In war zones, hospitals are holy ground. The explosion of one in Gaza is a tragic turning point. When dancing turns to mourning: A wedding hall fire brings tragedy to Qaraqosh Pope Francis says he will not be buried at the Vatican, simplifies papal funeral rite Vatican says no to scattering ashes, but approves families keeping ‘minimal’ part of cremated remains in a ‘significant’ place Group of nuns sue gunmaker Smith & Wesson over assault weapons What’s on tap? Arak Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week’s “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley are honored to welcome Rachel Goldberg, the mother of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, one of the hostages taken into Gaza following Hamas’s massacre at the Nova music festival in Southern Israel on Oct. 7. In the weeks since Hersh and 240 other hostages were brutally kidnapped, Rachel has met with a host of people, including the pope and the president, to share her son’s story. She was gracious enough to bring that story to “Jesuitical,” and she and the hosts shared a moving conversation.They discuss: Rachel’s family life and Hersh’s passion for reading and adventure The last time Rachel saw Hersh on Oct. 6 and her experience learning about the massacre on Oct. 7 Rachel’s meeting with Pope Francis and the power of dialogue in sustaining hope How Rachel’s Jewish faith has been challenged and served as a source of strength in the wake of unthinkable tragedy Support Jesuitical on Patreon or become a digital subscriber to America Media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Even though Pope Francis recently canceled his trip to Dubai for COP28 on doctor’s orders, the meeting still represents a huge initiative in Francis’ papacy; in “Laudate Deum,” Francis writes that the meeting has the potential to be “a historic event that honors and ennobles us as human beings” (“Laudate Deum,” No. 59). So Ashley and Zac welcomed Jose Aguto, the executive director of Catholic Climate Covenant, on this week’s episode of “Jesuitical” to discuss Catholic climate advocacy at this pivotal moment.They discuss: Pope Francis’ commitment to climate justice throughout his papacy How Catholics should understand climate change as both a systemic and spiritual issue, and where we can find hope The history and current state of climate action in the U.S. church In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley check in with Maggi Van Dorn, host of the “Hark!” podcast, which explores the meaning and making of our favorite Christmas carols. The first episode of season three, which came out on Sunday, dives into “O Holy Night” and features Greg Boyle, S.J. Maggi takes the “Jesuitical” team behind the scenes of “Hark!” production and helps to usher in the Advent season.Links from the show: ‘Our ecological crisis is fundamentally a moral one’: Catholic Climate Covenant’s new executive director hopes to inspire care for creation Jose Aguto, Catholic Climate Covenant Global Climate Change: A Plea for Dialogue Prudence and the Common Good Laudate Deum Laudato Si’ The abolitionist history of ‘O Holy Night’ “Hark!” Podcast What’s on tap?(knock-off) Chartreuse Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ten years ago, Pope Francis released his first papal document, “Evangelii Gaudium,” which lays out his vision for the church in the 21st century. To help break down this inaugural document of Francis’ papacy, Zac and Ashley welcome Rafael Luciani, an associate professor of practice at the School of Theology and Ministry at Boston College.They discuss: Pope Francis’ call to “pastoral conversion” and “missionary discipleship” How Pope Francis’ Latin American roots guide his vision for the church The foundation for a synodal church put forth in “Evangelii Gaudium” Links from the show:Evangelii GaudiumWhat’s on tap?Wine from Mendoza, Argentina Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices