Jesuitical

Latest Episodes:

Her son was beheaded by ISIS. Here’s what she’s learned about mercy Apr 05, 2024

Show notes

On Aug. 19, 2014, the world watched in horror as the American journalist James Foley read a script prepared for him by ISIS terrorists, who filmed him from an unknown location in the Syrian desert. Mr. Foley, who had been in ISIS captivity for almost two years, was then beheaded by his captors. That is how Diane Foley learned that her son, who had been kidnapped in Libya on a previous reporting trip, would not be coming home this time.

In the new book, American Mother, Diane teams up with Colum McCann, an award-winning and international best-selling author, to tell her and her son’s story. Both authors join Zac and Ashley this week for a powerful conversation about grief, forgiveness and perseverance.

They discuss:

How Diane’s son James discovered his vocation as a journalist

Why Diane decided to meet with one of her son’s killers

How her Catholic faith sustained her through James’s years of captivity and after his death

In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss a new book of interviews with Pope Francis, in which he discusses his relationship with Pope Benedict XVI and the conclave that elected him and his predecessor. Plus, Cardinal Wilton Gregory calls President Biden a “cafeteria Catholic” during an appearance on CBS’s “Face the Nation” on Easter Sunday, and the Society of Jesus releases a strongly worded statement on the war in Gaza.

Links from the show:

Pope Francis opens up about Benedict XVI, past conclaves and more in new book

Important U.S. cardinal says Biden is a ‘cafeteria Catholic’

‘We cannot be silent’: A statement from the Jesuits on Gaza

American Mother, by Colum McCann with Diane Foley

Bonus episodes available now through Patreon:

The quirky history of papal conclaves

Cardinal Gregory on young people, politics and becoming a listening church

Live show!

If you live in the Cincinnati area, you’re invited to join Zac, Ashley and Father Eric Sundrup (Jesuitical’s spiritual director) for a live show at Xavier University, on Tuesday, April 9, 6:30-7:30 pm. The event will be held in the Conatan Board Room in Schmidt Hall and will be followed by Mass.

What’s on tap?

Cielo prosecco, a.k.a, Easter Bubbly

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A Catholic bartender’s conversion to ‘mindful drinking’ Mar 22, 2024

Show notes

Although “Jesuitical” is often recorded over drinks, longtime listeners know that the hosts abstain from alcohol during Lent, which means there’s no better time to welcome Derek Brown to the show. He’s an award-winning mixologist, the founder of Positive Damage Inc., and an expert on no- and low-alcohol cocktails and mindful drinking. Derek joins Zac and Ashley for an enlightening conversation about drinking, its place in our culture and evaluating its place in our lives.

They discuss:

Derek’s journey from award-winning bartender to mindful drinking advocate—and how his faith informed that decision

Why it seems like so many people today are re-evaluating their relationship with alcohol

Tips for taking a more mindful approach to drinking

Links from the Show

Confessions of a Catholic Bartender

Derek’s Positive Damage substack

What’s on tap?

Pinch hitters (0% ABV—it’s still Lent!)

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A Catholic reporter’s take on the 2024 election Mar 15, 2024

Show notes

It’s an election year, and like it or not, the race is heating up, so “Jesuitical” went to Washington, D.C., to hear from an expert about the state of play. A long-time friend of the show, N.P.R.’s Scott Detrow, is the weekend host of “All Things Considered” and a co-host of the podcasts “Consider This” and “Trump’s Trials,” N.P.R.’s weekly recap of the former president’s multiple court cases. He joins Zac and Ashley for a refreshing conversation about politics and faith as we gear up for November’s election.

They discuss:

Joe Biden and Donald Trump, who both recently clinched their respective parties’ nominations

The ethics of covering politics in today’s polarized climate

The role of religion in U.S. politics

In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley cover the diplomatic dust-up caused by the pope’s recent comments about the war in Ukraine before moving into a conversation about Francis’ 11th anniversary of his election, which was on March 13. The hosts talk about continued criticism of Pope Francis, as well as their own opinions about Francis’ papacy.

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.org.

March 18: Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. Live interview with the award-winning TV newscaster Carol Costello. 7:30 p.m. PST in LMU’s Life Science Auditorium. All are welcome!

Links from the show:

After backlash, Vatican clarifies Pope Francis’ call for Ukraine to have ‘courage of the white flag’

Spanish bishop rebukes priests who joked about wishing pope goes to heaven soon

Attacking Pope Francis, anonymous cardinal seeks to curb the influence of his papacy

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Is ‘Barbie’ a Jesuit allegory? And other questions ahead of the 2024 Oscars Mar 08, 2024

Show notes

The Oscars are this Sunday, so Zac and Ashley welcome John Dougherty, the moderator of America’s Catholic Movie Club, to unpack the state of play—and the Catholic themes—in some of this year’s Best Picture nominees. John, who is also the director of campus ministry at St. Joseph’s Prep in Philadelphia, is an expert in finding God in all films. He guides the hosts through a fun-filled conversation on the best stories and performances of 2023.

John, Zac and Ashley discuss:

- How movies can help us to better understand ourselves and our culture

- Thoughts on Best Picture nominees like “Barbie,” “Oppenheimer,” “The Holdovers,” “Killers of the Flower Moon,” and more (plus, Zac gives his pick for St. Ignatius Film of the Year)

- Predictions and hopes for this year’s Oscar winners

In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s recent lawsuits against Catholic migrant shelters, Church Militant’s announcement that they will cease operations in April after losing a defamation lawsuit and Pope Francis’ announcement that he will wash the feet of inmates at a women’s prison on Holy Thursday.

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.org.

Links from the show:

John Dougherty’s writing

The return of the Catholic Movie Club: Why going to the movies is a sacred act

Hard truths, Catholics and women in Hollywood: takeaways from this year’s Oscar noms

Catholic charities and religious freedom are under fire at the border

Church Militant will cease publication in April after losing defamation suit

Pope Francis to do Holy Thursday feet washing at women’s prison

Support Jesuitical on Patreon

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A Jesuit guide to major life choices Mar 01, 2024

Show notes

It’s the question every college senior dreads when they’re back home for Christmas break: What are you going to do after graduation? At a live recording of Jesuitical at Loyola University Chicago, Zac and Ashley talk with Paddy Gilger, S.J., about how students (and the rest of us) can use the tools of Ignatian discernment when making more life decisions.

They discuss:

Whether college is a bubble—and if that is a good or bad thing
How they saw God working in their lives as they made the leap from college to careers
The importance of doing discernment in community

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.org.

March 18: Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. Live interview with American TV Newscaster Carol Costello. Time and venue TBD.

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Mental health and the Catholic Church: Can we have better conversations? Feb 23, 2024

Show notes

This week on Jesuitical, Zac and Ashley welcome Meg Kissinger, a Pulitzer Prize finalist and author of While You Were Out: An Intimate Family Portrait of Mental Illness in an Era of Silence. Meg’s memoir employs her journalistic skills to tell a tale of a Catholic family navigating mental illness. It serves as a great foundation for a profound, personal conversation about faith, tragedy, and trusting in an institution even when people in it have failed you.

They discuss:

Meg’s family’s experience with mental illness and suicide
The evolution of the church’s pastoral care for those impacted by suicide
How community life can help us to have better conversations about mental health

In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss the recent news that the prefect of the Vatican Apostolic Archives, Archbishop Sergio Pagano, is retiring—and dishing Vatican secrets on the way out. They then cover the recent controversy over the funeral of activist Cecilia Gentili, which was held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York last week.

If you are having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.

What’s on tap?

Coffee—it’s still Lent!

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.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:

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Prayer, fasting and...working out? What is Exodus90? Feb 16, 2024

Show notes

To ring in the Lenten season, “Jesuitical” is talking Exodus 90, a 90-day ascetic spiritual practice for men centered around three pillars: prayer, fasting and fraternity. Terence Sweeney, an assistant teaching professor in the Honors Program and Humanities Department at Villanova University, joins Zac and Ashley to chat about the hugely popular program—why people love it, what it leaves out and what Catholics who don’t participate can learn from it.

They discuss:

- The absence of communal Lenten practices in today’s church and how Exodus 90 tries to fill that void

- Exodus 90’s shortcomings and the dangers of spiritual meritocracy in ascetic practice

- What all Catholics can take from Exodus 90 this Lent

In this week’s Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley are joined by Christine Lenahan, one of America’s O’Hare Fellows. They discuss controversial depictions of Christ, from the “He Gets Us” Super Bowl ads and a new painting of Jesus that caused quite an uproar in Seville, Spain.

What’s on tap?

Water. Happy Lent.

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.org

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:

- Fasting, praying and working out: What ‘Exodus 90’ gets right—and wrong—about asceticism for men

- Controversial artistic depictions of Jesus are nothing new

- In defense of the ‘He Gets Us’ Super Bowl ads

- 101 Things To Give Up For Lent

- Terence Sweeney's podcast episode, "A Medieval Anti-racist"

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Why we love the church, with Bishop Donald Hying Feb 09, 2024

Show notes

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 work

In 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.org

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 Church

What’s on tap?

Fernet Branca on ice

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What it means to be a “good” or “bad” Catholic in the fight against racism Feb 02, 2024

Show notes

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 injustice

In 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

March 18: Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. Live interview with American TV Newscaster Carol Costello. Time and venue TBD.

Drink:

Old Fashioneds

Links 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

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Understanding the Jewish Jesus Jan 26, 2024

Show notes

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

March 18: Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. Live interview with American TV Newscaster Carol Costello. Time and venue TBD.

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