Podcasts about in signs

This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley chat with Christopher White, the former Vatican correspondent for the National Catholic Reporter. Next month, Chris will start a new position as the associate director for strategic engagement and a senior fellow at Georgetown University's Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life. Chris's forthcoming book is, Pope Leo XVI: Inside the Conclave and the Dawn of a New Papacy. Zac, Ashley and Chris discuss:  - Chris's background as a Vatican reporter and the experience of covering the Vatican bureaucracy - Why Chris argues that the conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV was the most important conclave in 60 years - What Chris's extensive research has revealed about the kind of person Pope Leo is  In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley chat with Connor Hartigan, Leilani Fuentes and Grace Lenahan as they end their 2024-25 Joseph A. O'Hare, S.J., Postgraduate Media Fellowships at America. Click here to learn more about the program. If you're interested or know someone who might be interested in the fellowship, applications for the 2026-27 year open in September 2025. If you'd like more information, email us at jesuitical@americamedia.org. Links for further reading:  - Take the 2025 Jesuitical Listener Survey!  - Learn about the Joseph A. O'Hare, S.J., Postgraduate Media Fellowship - Pre-order Pope Leo XVI: Inside the Conclave and the Dawn of a New Papacy. - NCR's Vatican correspondent to join initiative at Georgetown University  - Christopher White at National Catholic Reporter  What's on tap? Chris: Gin martini Fellows: Sauvignon Blanc You can follow us on X and on Instagram @jesuiticalshow.   You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/jesuitical.  Please consider supporting Jesuitical by becoming a digital subscriber to America magazine at americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley share a live interview recorded at 6ABC studios in Philadelphia, Pa., featuring prior provincial of the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova, Robert Hagan, O.S.A. Father Rob discusses the case for the canonization of Bill Atkinson, O.S.A., an Augustinan friar who was the first quadriplegic ordained in the Catholic Church and whose life—according to Father Rob—was a miracle.  Zac, Ashley and Father Rob discuss:  Father Rob's vocation story and why Father Bill inspired him to become an Augustinian priest How Father Bill's radical dependence on others and unwavering faith in the midst of great suffering inspired those around him  The case for Father Bill's canonization  In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley unpack recent backlash against the Charlotte diocese for a leaked draft on liturgical norms amid traditional Latin Mass restrictions; The Catholic University of America in Washington's two new degrees in artificial intelligence; and Pope Leo and Russia's President Vladimir Putin's first phone call.   BE PART OF THE FIRST-EVER JESUITICAL RETREAT! Join us at the studio and headquarters of America Media in New York City for two days of community, prayer and sharing stories of faith. Get a behind-the-scenes look at how we make the podcast, meet fellow young Catholics, pray with America staff and editor in chief Sam Sawyer, S.J., share meals and craft your own faith story with accompaniment from our team. Sign up here! We can't wait to meet you. Jesuitical Young Adult Retreat: What's Your Story? Open to ages 21-39 Friday, June 27th (evening) + Saturday, June 28th (all day) New York, NY Friday: America Media Office – 1212 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036 Saturday: Jesuits USA East Province – 39 E 83rd St, New York, NY 10028 Cost: $100  Housing: Participants are responsible for their own lodging in NYC Capacity: The retreat will be capped at 30 participants. First come, first served. Links for further reading:  Jesuitical Storytelling Retreat Who is Fr. Bill Atkinson? Meet Fr. Bill Atkinson, OSA–the first quadriplegic Catholic priest Green Bananas: The Wisdom of Father Bill Atkinson Charlotte diocese faces backlash for leaked draft on liturgical norms amid traditional Latin Mass restrictions Catholic University of America to launch new degrees in A.I. Pope Leo XIV and Russia's Vladimir Putin have first phone call Fr. Bill Atkinson, O.S.A,, found God beyond the labels that divide us You can follow us on X and on Instagram @jesuiticalshow.   You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/jesuitical.  Please consider supporting Jesuitical by becoming a digital subscriber to America magazine at americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Nicole Abadee.In Signs of Damage, bestselling and multi-award-winning novelist Diana Reid writes about memory, morality and the difference between understanding someone and explaining them. She talks to Nicole Abadee about her latest novel.Event details:Sat 01 Mar, 1:15pm | West Stage

On “Jesuitical” this week, Zac and Ashley chat with Sofia Carozza, a developmental neuroscientist working in research and a co-host of “The Pilgrim Soul,” a Catholic podcast about the journey of faith in the modern world. Sofia is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Human Network Initiative at Harvard Medical School, where she uses computational modelling to study the role of the early-life environment in the development of the human brain.  Zac, Ashley and Sofia discuss: - The brain as a “relational organ” linking body and spirit - The neuroscientific response to the question, “What does it mean to be human?” - Sofia's experience as a person of faith in a “secular field” - Digital technology's effects on our brains (and faith) In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley give an update on Pope Francis' health after doctors lifted their “guarded prognosis,” meaning they no longer believe the pope is in imminent danger; next they discuss the lowering the standard age for confirmation in the Archdiocese of Baltimore to 9. Jesuitical is coming to Philadelphia! Join the Jesuitical team in Philadelphia for a Holy & Happy Hour at the National Shrine of St. Rita of Cascia. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! Topic: How to talk to your friends about your faith Date: Tuesday, March 25, 2025 Location: 1166 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19146 Time: 6:00pm adoration of the Blessed Sacrament; 7:00pm group faith sharing and happy hour Links for further reading:  “The Pilgrim Soul: A Catholic Podcast”  “An Appraisal of the Neuroscientific Revolution's Promise of New Theological Horizons” by Sofia Carozza The Religious Sense by Luigi Giussani “The Faith of Fr. Luigi Giussani” Chest X-ray confirms improvements in Pope Francis' condition Pope Francis is out of imminent danger. What's next? Confirmation age lowered to 9 years old in Archdiocese of Baltimore You can follow us on X and on Instagram @jesuiticalshow.   You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/jesuitical.  Please consider supporting Jesuitical by becoming a digital subscriber to America Media at americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joining Ashley and Zac to cover the cosmos on this week's episode of “Jesuitical” is Guy Consolmagno, S.J., the director of the Vatican Observatory and author of the new book, A Jesuit's Guide to the Stars: Exploring Wonder, Beauty, and Science. A research astronomer, physicist and Jesuit brother, he has served at the Vatican Observatory since 1993, and in 2015 Pope Francis appointed him director. He is the author of God's Mechanics and co-author of Would You Baptize an Extraterrestrial? and Turn Left at Orion. Zac, Ashley and Brother Guy discuss:  - The relationship between science, theology and faith—how science points to God and God enables science - Brother Guy's passion for teaching science and inspiring “oh my God” moments in his students - Brother Guy's vocation story and the history of Jesuits making scientific advancements  In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley unpack Pope Francis' recent hospitalization for a respiratory infection, later confirmed as double pneumonia. As of Thursday, Feb. 20, he is stable, without fever and in good spirits.  Links for further reading:  A Jesuit's Guide to the Stars: Exploring Wonder, Beauty, and Science Pope Francis, battling double pneumonia, ‘alert and responsive,' according to Italian PM Cardinals push back on rumors Pope Francis will resign while in hospital Three ways Pope Francis should fix the procedures for papal illness, death and elections You can follow us on X and on Instagram @jesuiticalshow.   You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/jesuitical.  Please consider supporting Jesuitical by becoming a digital subscriber to America Media at americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's episode of “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley interview bestselling Irish author John Connell on how embracing the farm life preserved by his family for generations brought him closer to God and greater inner peace. John's new book, The Lambing Season, explores the rhythms and realities of raising livestock, as well as the profound spiritual guidance John gleaned from a simple flock of sheep.  Zac, Ashley and John discuss:  - How John's spiritual awakening on a Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in Spain led to his transformation from journalist and world traveler to shepherd on his family's farm  - John's discovery of the spiritual and therapeutic power of lambing season in Ireland - The contrast and balance between rural and urban life, and the need for citydwellers to “make appointments with nature” In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris after a fire in 2019, Pope Francis' latest consistory that created 21 new cardinals on Saturday, Dec. 7, and how the Loyola Chicago Ramblers recovered after (seemingly) snubbing their very own Sister Jean from a celebratory fist bump after their win against Eastern Michigan.  Links for further reading:  The Lambing Season: Stories of Life on an Irish Family Farm The Cow Book: A Story of Life on an Irish Family Farm Pomp and presidents at the reopening of Notre Dame in Paris Podcast: Pope Francis creates 21 cardinals, calls for an end to U.S. death penalty Read: Pope Francis' homily and message to new cardinals A busy weekend for Pope Francis: The Immaculate Conception, a consistory and prayers for death row inmates in the United States You can follow us on X and on Instagram @jesuiticalshow.   You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/jesuitical.  Please consider supporting Jesuitical by becoming a digital subscriber to America Media at americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are in the final stretch of the Synod on Synodality, and the question that looms large in and outside the synod hall is: Will this process give us concrete results? But some Catholics aren't waiting for the synod's final document or Pope Francis' post-synod apostolic exhortation to start bringing synodality down to earth in practical ways. Avril Baigent, a facilitator at this year's synod assembly, is a co-founder of the School for Synodality, a project that supports the synodal conversion of the Church in England and Wales.  Zac and Ashley ask Avril: - What does synodal discernment look like in families, parishes and dioceses? - Does every decision in the church need to be made “synodaly”? - Is the “conversations in the spirit” method capable of producing concrete proposals? In Signs of the Times, Zac and Sebastian discuss the lack of transparency around the synod's Study Group 5, tasked with looking at the possibility of the female diaconate, which has led to “palpable outrage” among delegates and damage control on the part of the Vatican. Plus, the Vatican announced on Monday that Pope Francis will release the fourth encyclical of his pontificate, “Dilexit Nos” (“He Loved Us”), on the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  Links from the show: ‘Palpable outrage': Synod delegates react to women deacons study group meeting ‘Dilexit nos': Pope to publish encyclical on Sacred Heart of Jesus Learn more about the School for Synodality Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on a live recording of  “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley chat with Bishop Kevin Sweeney, the eighth bishop of the Diocese of Paterson, N.J. (and a “Jesuitical” superfan!), about his spiritual journey as a young priest on Sept. 11, 2001, and his transition to becoming a bishop during the Covid-19 pandemic. Bishop Sweeney cites his knowledge gained in hard times as the catalyst for his pastoral approach to fostering community in an evolving church. They discuss:  - Bishop Sweeney's own vocational journey, from considering professional baseball to embracing the priesthood and, later, the episcopacy. - How modern vocations of both men and women emphasize the radical Gospel call to co-responsibility among the laity in the life of the church. - Tangible ways that the church can help navigate the upcoming U.S. presidential election with a spirit of unity and respect. In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss Pope Francis' recent advice to Catholics voting in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, where he called both major candidates “against life” and framed the election as a vote for the “lesser evil”; and curious stories about incorruptibility—the divine intervention that allows the bodies of certain saints to completely or partially avoid decomposition after death as a sign of their holiness. Links from the show:  I was a young New York priest on 9/11. The lessons of that day stay with me as a bishop. Beyond The Beacon Podcast  Pope Francis: Trump and Harris are ‘both against life' but Catholics must vote and choose ‘lesser evil' Nun's incorruptible remains highlight rich heritage of Black Catholics in U.S., say experts Carmelites find St. Teresa of Ávila's body still incorrupt over 400 years after her death Become a Jesuitical Patron and get access to the recording of an exclusive synod Zoom event with James Martin, S.J., held on Thursday, Sept. 19 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the first episode of season eight of “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley critique a general perception that younger priests are more conservative and rigid in their pastoral ministry. Joining them to discuss the countercultural decision to join the diocesan priesthood is the Rev. Wade Bass, a young priest who serves as pastoral administrator at Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church in Allen, Tex., a suburb of Dallas. They discuss:  - Father Wade's call to the priesthood, experience in seminary and love of the liturgy - The daily life and duties of young diocesan priests today, the joy and positive energy among younger priests, and the risks of loneliness and burnout - The extent to which the ministry of these priests is—or is not—impacted by theological and ideological debates within the church  In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss Pope Francis' apostolic journey to Asia; a lawsuit from the Diocese of Paterson, N.J., over a new procedural change by the United States government regarding the processing of green cards for foreign-born priests; and the tragic execution by Hamas of Israeli-American hostage Hersh Goldberg-Polin, whose mother, Rachel, appeared on Jesuitical in November 2023. Links from the show:  Pope Francis begins the longest trip of his papacy yet despite age and mobility issues Mother of a Gaza hostage on keeping faith after Oct. 7: ‘It doesn't make sense. And I still believe.' Diocese sues immigration agencies over rule change that could force thousands of foreign-born priests to leave U.S. Catholics are more liberal. Young priests are more conservative. Can the synod help us overcome our divisions? Why Pope Francis is worried about seminaries and young priests with ‘authoritarian attitudes' Join Jesuitical for a live recording on Wednesday, Sept. 11 in Madison, New Jersey! Become a Jesuitical Patron and get access to an exclusive synod Zoom event with James Martin, S.J., on Thursday, Sept. 19, from 6-7 p.m. ET. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Basketball fans know Steve Javie as a longtime N.B.A. referee and a frequent commentator on ESPN and ABC. But for the parishioners at St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Newtown, Pa., he's Deacon Steve.  In the midst of the N.B.A. finals tournament, Deacon Steve took some time out of his busy schedule to chat with Zac and Ashley about life on the court and in the pulpit.  They discuss: His journey from zealous rookie ref to humble officiator in the N.B.A. The dangers of turning sports into your religion. How his career in refereeing has informed his ministry as a permanent deacon. In Signs of the Times, a second miracle has been attributed to Blessed Carlo Acutis. Zac and Ashley discuss the life and legacy of the Italian teenager on track to be the first millennial saint. Plus, Pope Francis has again used a homophobic slur in a discussion about admitting gay men to seminary. How are Catholics supposed to understand these comments from a pope who famously said about gay priests, “Who am I to judge?” Links from the show: Pope Francis recognizes miracle needed for the first ‘millennial' saint: Blessed Carlos Acutis Pope Francis uses gay slur for second time in closed-door meeting, Italian reports allege Jesuitical: Pope Francis used a homophobic slur. How should Catholics respond? What's on tap? Miller Lite—on ice Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan Burge set out to learn how many Catholics agree with church teachings on three key pro-life issues: abortion, euthanasia and the death penalty. The answer? Fewer than 1 percent. This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley are joined by Ryan, an associate professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University and the author of the “Graphs about Religion” Substack, to discuss his findings on the beliefs of American Catholics today. They discuss: Trends in Catholic opinion on pro-life issues. How faith-based beliefs and secular politics interact in our polarized society. The role of data in understanding religious trends and effectively communicating church teaching. In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss the eucharistic pilgrimages taking place ahead of July's National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. They also cover the controversial commencement speech given by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker at Benedictine College. Links from the show: Cafeteria Catholicism? Planning to join up with the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage? Here's what you need to know. Harrison Butker's commencement speech and the danger of a Catholic ‘dead traditionalism' Young U.S. Catholics want more orthodoxy. That doesn't mean they reject Vatican II. Podcast: When Catholic doctrine can change—and when it can't What's on tap? Carajillos (2 parts cold brew, 2 parts Licor 43) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There seems to be a lot of confusion over what Ellen White taught about Jesus. Did she teach he had a beginning at some point, or that he always existed with the Father as a co-eternal member of the Godhead? So, for the next two episodes we'll be going off topic from the Sabbath School Quarterly to address this issue.  In this study we focus on one particular statement she made. Here's the statement: In Signs of the Times, August 29,1900, Ellen wrote, "Christ is the pre-existent, self-existent Son of God…. In speaking of his pre-existence, Christ carries the mind back through dateless ages. He assures us that there never was a time when He was not in close fellowship with the eternal God." Ellen White, Signs of the Times, Aug. 29, 1900. (Evangelism, p. 615) So, there are two aspects of her statement we look at today. The part where she says that Christ is "self-existent," and the part where she says that “there never was a time when Jesus was not in close fellowship with the eternal God.” What did she mean? One way to know is to see how this term and phrase were generally used at the time Ellen wrote this, and find out whether Ellen's use of them enables us to know whether or not she thought Jesus had a beginning. For more study, see:  “The Personality of God: An SDA Pillar Doctrine (2022 Series)” https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbPVtTaj0MXEsuRokPxciM7PjCTveaTi1&si=CffjlgHfZyehEc_5  “2010 Seventh Day Adventist General Conference Agenda Addendum” https://www.bdsda.com/2010-seventh-day-adventist-general-conference-agenda-addendum/   2024 Sabbath School, Quarter 1: Psalms – Week 10 A Branch Davidian Seventh-Day Adventist perspective on the Sabbath School lesson.  www.bdsda.com   Email us bdsdalit@gmail.com for comments and study requests.     

This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley discuss a, if not the, big question hanging over the synod: Can it change church teaching? They unpack the place of authority, doctrinal development and the synod with Richard Gaillardetz, the Joseph Professor of Catholic Systematic Theology at Boston College and the author of a foundational text on the levels of church teaching: By What Authority?: A Primer on Scripture, the Magisterium, and the Sense of the Faithful. They ask Dr. Gaillardetz: What's the difference between a dogma, doctrine and teaching? What do I need to believe to be Catholic? Is it O.K. to disagree with church teaching? How has church teaching developed throughout history? In Signs of the Times, the synod enters its final week with discussion on the synthesis report, and an Australian theologian addresses concerns some synod delegates have about tradition and the development of doctrine. Links from the show:  Purchase By What Authority?: A Primer on Scripture, the Magisterium, and the Sense of the Faithful, by Richard Gaillardetz Synod: Fr Ormond Rush's theological reflection on Synthesis Report Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As a young adult, José Manuel de Urquidi had a lot of questions about faith but couldn't find satisfying answers. He went to law school, opened a craft brewery and started a family, but it wasn't until he started podcasting that he found his purpose as a digital missionary. José is a voting member in the synod on synodality at the Vatican this month and his advocacy for evangelizing–or rather listening–in digital spaces is turning heads. Leading up to the synod, he worked closely with the synod secretariat to get the word out on dozens of digital platforms. The result is the digital synod “continental” document, which centers previously unheard voices of those who are or feel excluded from the traditional structures of the Church. In Signs of the Times, Ashley and Zac break open the final thematic module of the synod that's currently being discussed: Participation, governance and authority.  Links Synod Diary: Will the synod change its members? Synod cardinal from Brazil: In the Amazon ‘everyone votes, except the bishop' The digital synod continental document What's on Tap? Lokita Mezcal Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let's face it: talking about climate change can feel depressing and futile. It seems like every few years there's a new dire report, another agreement signed, and little progress is made. This week's guest, Dorothy Fortenberry, is a writer and executive producer of “Extrapolations,” a new show from Apple TV+ that aims to shake us from our complacency by showing us what the world might look like in 10, 20, 30 years if we stay on our current trajectory. We talk to her about getting people to care about climate change, her love of Pope Francis' environmental encyclical “Laudato Si'” and the ethics of having kids in a climate crisis. In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss a controversy between a group of Franciscans and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, and talk about how Catholics should react to SatanCon, a gathering of members of the Satanic Temple in Boston next week. Links from the show: Military archdiocese: The end of Walter Reed's pastoral care contract is ‘incomprehensible' Boston 'SatanCon' prompts Catholics to respond with prayer and the Gospel Watch “Extrapolations” on Apple TV+ I was at the first Earth Day. And I carry what I learned about care for creation to this day by James Martin, S.J. This Earth Day, meet the artist making beautiful icons of God's endangered creatures by Jim McDermott, S.J. What's on tap? Micheladas Support Jesuitical! Become a digital subscriber to America Media! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For this special triduum edition of Jesuitical, we're doing something a little different. Instead of a regular interview, we're sharing an episode from the America Media podcast “Imagine: A Guide to Jesuit Prayer,” by our friend and colleague Tucker Redding, S.J. In this episode, Tucker guides us through an imaginative prayer focusing on the Way of the Cross, the time between Jesus' trial under Pontius Pilate and his crucifixion. In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley give an update on Pope Francis' health and time in the hospital, and then they share their favorite parts of the Easter Triduum. Happy Easter everyone! Links from the show: Imagine: A Guide to Jesuit Prayer After hospital pizza party and baptizing a baby, Pope Francis expected to return to Vatican Saturday The Easter Vigil is the longest liturgy of the year. And it's so, so worth your time. More Easter content from America The best way to support Jesuitical is to become a digital subscriber to America Media and access all of our digital content! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bishop Robert Brennan leads the most diverse diocese in the country: Brooklyn-Queens. Every Sunday, you are able to find Mass in over 25 languages throughout the diocese. Before coming to Brooklyn, Bishop Brennan was bishop of Columbus, Ohio (Zac's hometown). This week, we talk to Bishop Brennan about the differences between Ohio and Brooklyn, what it's like to switch dioceses as a bishop and the future of parish life in an era of church closings and reorganization. In Signs of the Times, Ashley and Zac look at St. Patrick's Day dispensations around the country and a new “cannabis studies” certificate offered by St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia. Links from the show:  Bishop Brennan Podcast: Big City Catholics St. Joseph's University has a cannabis certificate program, and some Catholics aren't pleased When St. Patrick's Day falls on a Friday in Lent, should we eat the corned beef? Jesuitical March Madness: Facebook What's on tap?  Scotch! (We have a St. Patrick's Day dispensation ourselves) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Each year, during Holy Week, Catholics hear the story of Jesus' triumphant entrance into Jerusalem, the Last Supper and the washing of the apostles' feet, and finally, the betrayal, trial and crucifixion of Jesus. These events at the heart of our faith can become familiar, even sanitized after a while. But this year, we can hear them all anew thanks to “The Passion,” a new musical production from the Notre Dame Folk Choir. Zac and Ashley talk with J.J. Wright, the director of the University of Notre Dame Folk Choir, and Tristan Cooley, the creative director and librettist for “The Passion,” about the origins of the album, how spending so many hours with these Gospel passages affected their faith and how current realities—clergy sex abuse, police brutality and ongoing discussions about the place of women in the church—shaped the production. In Signs of the Times, we mark International Women's Day by discussing the record number of female employees at the Vatican—as well the hope expressed during synod consultations for greater inclusion and leadership for women in the church. Next, newly discovered asteroids were named for three Jesuits and a pope. Why are there so many monuments to Catholics in space? And finally, we celebrate the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis and share what we remember most from his historic papacy. Make sure to check our Facebook page to vote in the Jesuitical Saint Sixteen (and shout out to our organizers Chris Kinkor and Jeff Johnson!) Links from the show: 10 years of Pope Francis: Significantly more women working at the Vatican Synod working document for the continental phase New asteroids named for 3 Jesuits and pope of ‘Gregorian calendar' fame Everyone has an opinion about the pope. But how does Pope Francis understand his past 10 years? A Big Heart Open to God: An interview with Pope Francis Tour dates for “The Passion” Stream “The Passion” on Spotify Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Catholics probably won't hear hip-hop at Mass anytime soon, but that doesn't mean the genre doesn't have a lot to say about God and the plight of God's people. Much like liberation theology starts from the experience of the poor when talking about God, hip-hop, which originated in the South Bronx in the 1970s, expresses the struggles for justice and freedom of people living on the margins of America. That's the case this week's guest, Alex Nava, makes in his new book, Street Scriptures: Between God and Hip-Hop. Zac and Ashley ask Alex about the history of liberation theology and about the liberating potential of hip-hop. In Signs of the Times, we give an update on the crackdown Catholics and other opponents of the Ortega regime in Nicaragua and discuss the slick “He Gets Us” ads for Jesus at the Super Bowl. Were they an effective way to evangelize—or a massive waste of money? Links from the show: Pope Francis denounces imprisonment of Nicaragua's Bishop Rolando Álvarez What the Jesus Super Bowl ads get right (and wrong) about evangelization Street Scriptures: Between God and Hip-Hop What's on tap? French 75 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For many Christians, the prevalence of the religious imagery at the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol—crosses, rosary, a flag proclaiming “Trump Is My President—Jesus Is My Savior”—came as a shock. But not for this week's guest, Brad Onishi, who joined (and eventually left) an evangelical church that combined the conservative politics and “God and country” faith embraced by many who sought to overturn the 2020 election that day. Brad is a co-host of the “Straight White American Jesus” podcast and the author of the new book, Preparing for War: The Extremist History of White Christian Nationalism – And What Comes Next. We discuss the history of white Christian nationalism, how Catholics and evangelicals became allies in our political and culture wars, and if there's a non-toxic way to mix faith and politics. In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley mark the passing of Sister André, a French nun and oldest known person in the world, who died this week at the age of 118; the late Pope Benedict XVI's custom-made cologne; and the future of the March for Life on its 50th anniversary. Links from the show: Sister André, a French nun and oldest known person in world, dies at age 118 Pope Benedict Has Custom-Designed Cologne The March for Life has always had one message: End Roe v. Wade. What is its mission now? Podcast: The future of the March for Life now that Roe v. Wade is gone Straight White American Jesus podcast Preparing for War: The Extremist History of White Christian Nationalism--and What Comes, by Brad Onishi What's on tap? Aperol Spritz Music: City Girl by Flux Vortex Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is there a question you have about the Catholic Mass that you've always been too embarrassed to ask? Like: When we say, “Only say the word and my soul shall be healed,”...what's “the word”? You're in luck. This week, we're talking to Father Dave Dwyer, the executive director of Busted Halo, a media outreach of the Paulist Fathers, and the author of the new book Mass Class: Your Questions Answered. Zac and Ashley ask Father Dave their own burning questions about the liturgy, what he would say to Catholics who lost their “Mass habit” during the pandemic and how to make sure Mass etiquette does not get in the way of true reverence. In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley talk with Carol Zimmerman, who has worked for Catholic News Service for 30 years reporting on education, health care and the Supreme Court. What will the church in the United States lose when the domestic operations of CNS close on Dec. 30? Finally, it's your last chance to submit questions for Zac and Ashley mailbag episode! Post your questions on Twitter, Facebook, Patreon or to jesuitical@americamedia.org by Monday, Dec. 19. Links from the show: U.S. bishops announce Catholic News Service to cease domestic operations at year's end Catholic News Service provides vital context that secular media misses. Shutting it down is a mistake. Mass Class: Your Questions Answered, by Father Dave Dwyer What's on tap? Pick your poison: Paloma or Negroni  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's not every day your colleague gets to interview—and share a laugh with—Pope Francis. So this week we're talking to Kerry Weber, an executive editor at America, who was one of five America editors who spent two hours speaking with the pope on Nov. 22. We ask Kerry what surprised her most about the Holy Father and what it was like to be a woman asking Francis about women's ordination, a question considered by many to be off the table, within the walls of the Vatican. In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss the appointment of a Chinese bishop to a diocese not recognized by the Holy See—and the Vatican's unusually harsh response. And finally, stick around after the credits for a preview of America Media's new season of its Advent podcast “Hark! The stories behind our favorite Christmas carols.” Links from the show: Exclusive: Pope Francis discusses Ukraine, U.S. bishops and more Behind the scenes: What it's like to interview Pope Francis Vatican statement suggests China violated agreement over appointment of bishops China vows more ‘friendly consensus' after unusually harsh Vatican statement The Catholic Church in China | A Short Documentary The story of ‘Carol of the Bells,' a Christmas classic born in Ukraine What's on tap? Champagne  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've all been there. You need to buy something random and a bit urgently. You hop in the car and drive to a nearby Walmart, or open your Amazon app and get a next-day delivery through Prime. No doubt that these regular fixtures of our modern economy have brought convenience and expedience to our lives, but what are the tradeoffs that we aren't considering? Kathryn Judge is the author of Direct: The Rise of the Middleman Economy and the Power of Going to the Source. We talk about how “middlemen” became part of our everyday consumer lives and whether or not the way we shop necessarily lines up with our Catholic values. In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley talk with Kevin Clarke, America's chief correspondent, about what happened at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' annual meeting in Baltimore. Links from the Show:  Direct: The Rise of the Middleman Economy and the Power of Going to the Source Archbishop Broglio, questioned on abuse, homosexuality and whether he's a ‘Pope Francis' bishop in first press conference as USCCB head Jesuitical Litany of the Saints What's on tap?  Fancy Free (Luxardo liqueur Old Fashioned) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's no secret that the priesthood in the United States is aging, quickly. But what if part of the solution to the priest shortage is actually ordaining more older priests? Deacon Steve Kramer thinks the church should get serious about late-in-life vocations—recruiting men in the 40s, 50s or even 60s who have had another career, who maybe have been married and lost their spouse, for the priesthood. On the other hand, he thinks we should be encouraging men in their 30s and 40s to consider becoming a deacon—a vocation usually associated with more “mature” gentlemen. During National Vocation Awareness week, we ask Deacon Steve about the growing role of deacons in the U.S. church, his experience joining the diaconate in his 30s (and with four young kids!) and what questions someone discerning a call to the priesthood or diaconate should ask themselves. In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley talk with Colleen Dulle, the host of America Media's “Inside the Vatican” podcast, about French Cardinal Jean-Pierre Ricard, the former head of the French bishops' conference who admitted to abusing a 14-year-old girl 35 years ago. They ask: Have reforms aimed at combatting clerical sexual abuse really brought accountability to the highest levels of the church? Links from the show: French cardinal admits to abusing teen girl 35 years ago Report: 330,000 child victims of sex abuse in France's Catholic Church Pope Francis issues new rules for accountability and response to allegations of sexual abuse Pennsylvania report documents over 1,000 victims of priest abuse Former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick laicized by Pope Francis Sacred Heart Seminary and School of Theology People of God: How Catholic Parish Life is Changing in the United States What's on tap? Barolo  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most Catholics these days don't think there is a conflict between the theory of evolution and their faith. But it's harder to wrap our heads around the idea that we're still evolving—and that God might be, too. This week, we talk with Sister Ilia Delio, a theologian who thinks we can't separate the evolving nature of our universe and consciousness from our faith. We ask Sister Delio what it's like to work at the cutting edge of theology, where rapidly changing technology and artificial intelligence might be taking us as a species, and what that means for the church. In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss the still-open questions about the legacy and implementation of the Second Vatican Council, which opened 60 years ago this week. Did the council fail? What would success look like, and what would the church look like today if Vatican II hadn't happened? Links from the show: Did Vatican II fail? Are we allowed to ask the question? Pope Francis marks 60th anniversary of Vatican II by warning against worldly ‘progressivism' and backward-looking ‘traditionalism' The Emergent Christ, Ilia Delio People of God: How Catholic Parish Life is Changing in the United States What's on tap? Pinot Noir  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do Justin Bieber, Kanye West, Britney Spears and Shia LaBeouf have in common (besides being famous)? All four of these celebrities made waves by announcing they had become Christian in recent years. Rightly or wrongly, we ordinary Christians often celebrate when a high-profile figure joins our “team.” But what should we think when our church leaders become celebrities? It's a question Katelyn Beaty explores in her new book Celebrities for Jesus: How Personas, Platforms, and Profits Are Hurting the Church. Katelyn looks at the phenomenon of “celebrity Christians” in the evangelical church, but the trend of priests and pastors gaining massive followings—online and IRL—exists across many denominations and in the Catholic Church. (After all, who's a bigger celebrity than the pope?) We ask her the dangers of having a faith that is centered on charismatic individuals, how social media is changing the ways we relate to church leaders and how people in the pews can build real community in our celebrity-obsessed era. In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley break down some of the top Catholic news stories you might have missed while on summer vacation. Links from the show: Support Jesuitical by subscribing to AmericaMagazine.org! Celebrities for Jesus: How Personas, Platforms, and Profits Are Hurting the Church Pope Francis releases new letter on liturgy: Catholics need a better understanding of Vatican II's reforms Full text: Pope Francis' apology to Indigenous Peoples in Canada ​​Pope Francis names 21 new cardinals, including Bishop Robert McElroy of San Diego Lessons for evangelization from Britney Spears' journey with the Catholic Church The missing piece of Shia LaBeouf's conversation with Bishop Barron: the stories of abuse victims What's on tap? Dirty gin martinis  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last July, Pope Francis issued a document restricting the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass, setting off a heated and at times toxic debate between more traditionalist Catholics and those who want to see the reforms of the Second Vatican Council more fully implemented. Is there a way for us to talk about the liturgy without it turning into a war? To find out, we brought on the Rev. Pierre Amar, a priest in the Diocese of Versailles in France. Father Amar grew up attending the Latin Mass and was ordained into the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, an order dedicated to the celebration of the pre-Vatican II Mass rite. But he also loves and celebrates the novus ordo or ordinary form, and does not think the two forms of the liturgy need to be in conflict. We ask Father Amar why people today are still attracted to the Traditional Latin Mass over 50 years after the council and what he thinks about Pope Francis' move to restrict the celebration of the older rite. In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley are joined by Colleen Dulle, host of the “Inside the Vatican” podcast, to discuss speculation that Pope Francis is preparing to resign.  Links from the show: Will Pope Francis resign? Here are some reasons to believe it—and some to be skeptical Explainer: What is the history of the Latin Mass? I once fell in love with the Latin Mass—which is why I understand why Pope Francis restricted it. Pope Francis on Pentecost: ‘The Holy Spirit creates harmony with division.' Join Jesuitical in Italy! We want to hear from you ! Please take our survey! What's on tap? Pre-Vatican II Dewars scotch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If we are what we eat, how could our consumption habits not be morally fraught? This week's guest, Robert Cruz, believes they are, and he wants Catholics to be more intentional about what goes on their dinner plates. Working in the meat department of his local grocery store opened Robert's eyes to the way meat is processed, marketed and sold—and inspired him to start a small regenerative farm on his own property. We ask Robert what Catholic social teaching says about ethical eating, how eating chickens he raised himself changed his relationship to food and animals, and why fake meat is not the morally superior option many vegetarians assume it to be.   In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley weigh in on Archbishop Salvator Cordileone's decision to bar Speaker Nancy Pelosi from Communion because of her “aggressive” support for abortion rights. Plus, Pope Francis has named a new U.S. cardinal: Bishop Robert McElroy of San Diego. Links from the show: Archbishop Cordileone on barring Nancy Pelosi from Communion: ‘I cannot in my conscience allow the situation to continue.' ​​Pope Francis names 21 new cardinals, including Bishop Robert McElroy of San Diego Dear Catholic vegetarians: Eating fake meat isn't going to save the planet. Regenerative Farmers of America Join Jesuitical in Italy! What's on tap? Old Fashioned Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the surface, Jane Austen's classic novels like Pride and Prejudice and Emma might seem to be about courtship and marriage, manners and the social hierarchies of Regency England. But while weddings and ballrooms abound in her books, so do lessons about how to live a virtuous life.  This week on Jesuitical, we speak with Haley Stewart, a self-described Jane Austen evangelist and the author of the new book, Jane Austen's Genius Guide to Life: On Love, Friendship, and Becoming the Person God. We ask Haley how virtues like humility and patience are cultivated in Austen's fiction; what Jane would say about modern dating and romance; why Catholics (and men) should take her novels seriously. In Signs of the Times, Cardinal Joseph Zen, the 90-year-old former bishop of Hong Kong, was arrested and briefly detained for his involvement in pro-democracy protests. Zac breaks down what this arrest means for the (very complicated) situation of the Catholic Church in Hong Kong and mainland China.  Links from the show: Join Jesuitical in Italy Cardinal Joseph Zen, 90, arrested in Hong Kong Jane Austen's Genius Guide to Life: On Love, Friendship, and Becoming the Person God Created You to Be What's on tap? Balcones bourbon, distilled by our guests's husband! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At a time when young people are leaving the Catholic Church, and those who remain are less likely to attend Mass, evangelizing may not seem like a top priority. It can be tempting for Catholic leaders to think: We need to stop the internal bleeding first, then we can worry about the rest of the world. Bishop William Wack disagrees: In every age and place, Catholics are called to “make disciples of all nations,” and our time is no different. Named the head of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee in Florida in 2017, Bishop Wack recently authored a pastoral letter on evangelization, titled “Sharing the Gift.” Ashley and Zac talk to Bishop Wack about praying in public, talking to friends (and strangers) about Jesus and what makes evangelization different from proselytizing.  In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley talk with their colleague Jim McDermott, S.J., about how Catholics should think about wearing masks—even when they are not required. What Catholic principles can help us discern our way through what is hopefully the final stages of the Covid-19 pandemic? Links from the show: Catholics: Please keep wearing your masks. Listen to the whole conversation here. Bishop Wack: We need more evangelical Catholics Pastoral Letter, Sharing the Gift Join Jesuitical in Italy What's on tap? Threes Brewing Logical Conclusion IPA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you had a chance to ask Pope Francis one question, what would it be? That was not a hypothetical question for this week's guests. Emily Burke and Henry Glynn are two of the students who were selected to take part in “Building Bridges North-South: A Synodal Encounter Between Pope Francis and University Students,” hosted by Loyola University Chicago. The conversation centered on migration, and Emily and Henry used their time with Francis to talk about climate change refugees.  We ask these young climate activists what it was likely to speak with the pope, how they hope to get more members of the U.S. church, including priests and bishops, to make the climate a priority and how they stay hopeful in their fight for the planet. In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss the German Synodal Path—and the bishops who are concerned it could lead to schism.  Links from the show: The German Synodal Way, Explained 74 bishops sign open letter warning of German Synodal Path's ‘potential for schism' Join Jesuitical in Italy Join Jesuitical's Patreon community! Learn more about Catholic Climate Covenant What's on tap? Champagne—Christ is risen and so are our glasses! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During his historic address to a joint session of Congress in 2015, Pope Francis raised up four virtuous Americans as models of citizenship: Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr., Dorothy Day and Thomas Merton. That last name was certainly familiar to Catholics who came of age after Vatican II, but do young Catholics know much about this mid-century Trappist monk and author? Thomas Merton is best known for his spiritual autobiography, The Seven Storey Mountain. But he was also a prolific letter writer and, though living in a monastery, engaged with the most pressing social and political issues of the 1950s and '60s: the civil rights movement, nuclear proliferation and the Vietnam War. In his new book, Man of Dialogue: Thomas Merton's Catholic Vision, Greg Hillis introduces Merton to the next generation of Catholics. We ask Greg why some question Merton's Catholicity, what we should make of the monk's brief affair with a nurse and why his writing is still relevant today. In Signs of the Times, we discuss Pope Francis' major overhaul of the Roman Curia and what it means for the mission of the church.  Links from the show: Join Jesuitical in Italy! Pope Francis is drawing on Vatican II to radically change how the Catholic Church is governed Man of Dialogue: Thomas Merton's Catholic Vision Wondrium special offer What's on tap? Something. Anything!—feel free to pour yourself a glass if you're listening on Friday since it's the Feast of the Annunciation. Fasting dispensed! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you think meatless Fridays or forgoing sweets for the duration of Lent is hard, imagine giving up English—or whatever your primary language is. This week's guest, Jimin Kang, did just that last year. Jimin speaks five languages but is most comfortable in English. We ask her how giving up English affected her relationship with her family and with God, and how people who only speak one language can adapt this Lenten practice to open themselves up to new people and cultures.  In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley talk with their colleague Jim McDermott, S.J., about the Arizona priest who performed thousands of baptisms that have been declared invalid because he used one wrong word. How should the church respond when priests make mistakes like this?  I Gave Up English for Lent Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Meghan compares the circumstances of Enoch's day with living in the Last Days. She analyzes how we can expect to similarly build New Jerusalem, the Latter-day Zion, based on the pattern established by Enoch and his people as they built their Holy City, the Ancient Zion. She flushes out what we can anticipate in the future based on modern revelation on this topic. In Signs in Real Times, Meghan speaks on the sign that the people in the Last Days would be "forbidden to marry". She shares recently published articles that highlight the modern movement to discount marriage as a  social construct that can be done away with or rewritten. Meghan emphasizes the counsel of prophets and apostles in regards to defending the divine institution of marriage. Resources: "Becoming the Pure in Heart", Spencer W. Kimball "What does marriage ask us to give up?" Kaitlyn Greenidge. New York Times, January 2022. "Marriage is Essential to His Eternal Plan", David A. BednarWe invite you to follow us on Instagram @lddisciplespodcast. Our sister-site, Honey + Lilies, is your one-stop shop for all the things related to temporal preparation, from food storage to disaster prep, and everything in between! Be sure to check them out as well! 

Behind (almost) every tattoo is a story, and this week's guest thinks the church should start listening to those stories. Gustavo Morello, S.J., an associate professor of sociology at Boston College, has studied the religious significance of tattoos and found that even tattoos that don't seem particularly religious can have a deep spiritual meaning for those who have them. We ask Gustavo about religious hang-ups around tattoos, their rising popularity and what they can teach us about the faith lives of young people. In Signs of the Times, we're talking about the pope's monthly prayer intention encouraging nuns to fight back when they're treated unfairly by men of the church and we remember a Catholic music icon. Links from the show: LIMITED TIME ONLY: $350 our pilgrimage to Italy Pope Francis tells nuns: Fight back when you are treated unfairly ‘by men of the church.' Catholic sister whose rock version of Our Father topped charts dies at 84 For many, a tattoo isn't just ink. It's a religious experience. What's on tap? Malbec from Argentina Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You have probably heard that in order for someone to be declared a saint they (usually) need to have two miracles attributed to their intercession. But how does the Catholic Church decide what's a miracle and what is just a rare healing—or a hoax? To find out, we spoke with Bishop Eusebio Elizondo, an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Seattle who has served as the “devil's advocate” in the canonization process. The devil's advocate (today formally known as the “promoter of the faith”) is appointed by the church to make the case against a candidate's sainthood. We ask Bishop Elizondo what kinds of questions the devil's advocate asks, how modern science has changed the church's understanding of miracles and why most miracles today involve healing—as opposed to, say, water and wine or loaves and fishes. In Signs of the Times, we preview the Jan. 22 beatification of Rutilio Grande, a Jesuit priest and martyr from El Salvador, and discuss an advice column about Catholic weddings that raises interesting questions about the role of parents in the sacrament.  Links from the show: Come to Italy with Jesuitical! 4 lessons from Rutilio Grande, priest, prophet and martyr Ask Amy: Upset mother objects to paying for Catholic wedding Boy's recovery a Kateri miracle What's on tap? Last night's leftover wine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A charismatic demagogue with millions of devoted followers. A novel means of communication with little government regulation and few guardrails. The threat of violence in the streets and a country in crisis. No, we're not talking about the 45th president but America's first radio priest, Father Charles Coughlin. On “Radioactive,” a new podcast series from Tablet Studios, Andrew Lapin takes listeners through the history of Father Coughlin, who through a mixture of Catholic piety, anti-Semitism and raw political ambition became the most popular voice on the U.S. airwaves during the Great Depression and the lead up to World War II. We ask Andrew what Father Coughlin's story can tell us about the connection between religious demagoguery and authoritarianism; the Wild West of new media platforms; and the failure of the church to reign in Catholics who exploit these toxic forces. In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley share some Pope Francis-inspired New Year's resolutions and give their predictions for Catholic stories coming in 2022. Links from the show: Volunteer, stop judging and get off Twitter: 8 New Year's Resolutions Inspired by Pope Francis Pope Francis' action-packed agenda for 2022 Potentially explosive report will document handling of sex abuse in Pope Benedict's former diocese Who will be the first Black Catholic saint from the United States? Join our Patreon community Come to Italy with Jesuitical! What's on tap? Bringing in the New Year with some Bubbly Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jesus said the poor will always be with us, but that doesn't mean we can't end homelessness. And this week's guest, Rosanne Haggerty, is dedicated to doing just that. Rosanne is the president and C.E.O. of Community Solutions, which develops innovative, data-driven strategies to end homelessness and strengthen communities. We ask Rosanne how Catholic social teaching informs her work and to break down some common misconceptions about homelessness in the United States. In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone's vaccination status and the Archdiocese of Cincinnati's bold parish restructuring plan. Finally, Friday morning is your last chance to enter your name in a drawing for a signed copy of Michael O'Loughlin's new book, Hidden Mercy, by becoming a member of our Patreon community. Links from the show: Join the Jesuitical Podcast on Pilgrimage in Italy! San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone reveals he is not vaccinated against Covid-19 Archdiocese of Cincinnati to reduce 208 parishes to 57 ‘families of parishes' Learn more about Community Solutions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unless you are a saint (and maybe even if you are one), there is probably someone in your life, whether a relative on Facebook or a person you've never actually met on Twitter, who makes you think...less than charitable thoughts. While self-righteous take-downs of your political opponents can feel good in the moment, they are unlikely to change anyone's mind—and probably aren't great for your own emotional well-being either. Our guest this week, Kirsten Powers, shows another way forward. A political commentator for places like Fox News and CNN, Kirsten has been at the center of our toxic national discourse for years, and in her new book, Saving Grace, she provides hard-earned wisdom for dealing with people across political and cultural divides. In Signs of the Times, the debate over the bishops' document on the Eucharist ends in a whimper, our friend and colleague Michael O'Loughlin gets a letter from Pope Francis and Zac and Ashley discuss an increasingly popular practice in Italy: “de-baptism.” Thanks to everyone who is supporting Jesuitical on Patreon. We have a new bonus episode dropping for you soon! If you're not yet a member of our Patreon community, sign up here today. Links from the show: Debate over the Eucharist and pro-choice politicians ends in a whimper at bishops' meeting Pope Francis thanks America's Michael J. O'Loughlin for reporting on Catholic responses to H.I.V./AIDS In Catholic Italy, ‘de-baptism' is gaining popularity Saving Grace: Speak your truth, stay centered and learn to coexist with people who drive you nuts What's on tap Margaritas on the rocks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Catholic Church owns a lot of land: churches, monasteries, schools, hospitals, cemeteries and more. What it's missing are maps. That's where Molly Burhans comes in. Molly is on a mission to not only make a digital record of Catholic landholdings but to help the church use that land for good. We ask Molly how Catholic organizations can make their land environmentally sustainable and socially useful, how frustrating it can be to work with the Vatican at times and how she remains hopeful in the face of climate change.   In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss the history of pope and president meetings ahead of Joe Biden's trip to the Vatican. Plus, a gay teacher and music director in the Diocese of Brooklyn is fired after he married his partner. We ask: What's the true cause of scandal in stories like this? Finally, we have a bonus episode for the members of our Patreon community. We sit down with our colleague Jim McDemott, S.J., a.k.a. The Pop Culture Priest, to talk about why we love the extremely Catholic Netflix show “Midnight Mass.” Become a Patreon member today to get this and future bonus episodes! Links from the show Biden's meeting with Pope Francis carries resonance as disputes divide U.S. Catholics Video: Joe Biden talks his Catholic Faith, Pope Francis and Politics A Gay Music Teacher Got Married. The Brooklyn Diocese Fired Him. How a Young Activist Is Helping Pope Francis Battle Climate  Learn more about GoodLands What's on tap? Slightly expired Coors Light and Spencers Trappist beer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Oct. 27, 2018, 11 people attending Shabbat services at the ​​Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburg were killed in the deadliest attack on the Jewish community in U.S. history. In the weeks and months that followed, when the public's attention moved on, journalist Mark Oppenhiemer didn't look away. He made over 30 reporting trips to the Squirrel Hill neighborhood to understand how the oldest Jewish community in America was seeking to heal after the massacre. He shares the lessons he learned in the new book Squirrel Hill: The Tree of Life Synagogue Shooting and the Soul of a Neighborhood. We talk to Mark about how this horrific attack affected the Jewish community throughout the country and why the media often fails to cover anti-Semitism in America. In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi's recent meeting with Pope Francis. Plus, Pope Francis has cleared the beatification of Pope John Paul I, who, if canonized, would become the fifth 20th-century pope to be named a saint. We ask: Should we be canonizing so many pontiffs? Links from the show: Squirrel Hill: The Tree of Life Synagogue Shooting and the Soul of a Neighborhood Pope Francis receives Speaker Nancy Pelosi in private audience Pope Francis clears the way for the beatification of Pope John Paul I Papal Saints What's on tap? Cajun Bloody Mary's, recipe courtesy of Kevin Acord Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"The classics" have been in the news recently—and not always in a good way. From colleges shutting down classics departments as students flock to more “practical” majors to criticisms that books written by “dead white men” cannot be separated from the legacies of slavery and colonialism, works that have stood the test of time are being tested anew.  This week's guest, Jeremy Tate, argues that not only are the classics worth studying for their own sake but that abandoning the Western canon will have disastrous effects for our (already toxic) public discourse. And he has some advice for continuing your classical education—even if you're out of school. In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley give their first reactions to Pope Francis' recent comments on the debate over the Eucharist and pro-choice politicians.  What's on tap? Kim's Grapefruit: 1.5 ounces Empress Gin, .5 ounces St. Germain elderflower, juice of half a grapefruit, sugar-rimmed glass. (Modification: Don't like—or can't find—grapefruit? Use an orange instead!) Links: Pope Francis: ‘I have never denied Communion to anyone.' Jeremy Tate's article in America Magazine: In defense of a classical education Ashley's reported story from Wyoming Catholic College: A visit to the rural Catholic college that has 171 students, 12 horses and zero textbooks Learn more about The Classic Learning Test Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Signs of the Messiah: An Introduction to John's Gospel (Lexham Press, 2021), Andreas J. Köstenberger—veteran New Testament scholar and expert on the Gospel of John—guides readers through John and highlights its plot and message. John's Gospel is written to inspire faith in Jesus. By keeping the Gospel's big picture in view, readers will see Jesus' mighty signs and be compelled to trust more fully in the Messiah. Readers will have a deeper grasp of John's message and intent through this short and accessible introduction. Jonathan Wright is a PhD student in New Testament at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He can be reached at jonrichwright@gmail.com, on Twitter @jonrichwright, or jonathanrichardwright.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Midnight Madness Radio Episode 109 with Emperors & Angels, Black Tree Vultures, In Signs, The Curve, The Survival Code, Noram, Lonerider Death, GRORR, Grande Royale, Andy Susemihl, and Starmen.

One year into a global pandemic that has taken hundreds of thousands of lives and disrupted the routines and relationships of millions more, we would all do well to take a moment to take stock of where we are—mentally, physically, spiritually. Tracy G is here to help you do just that. A self-described “wellness artist” and host of the podcast “She’s Beauty & The Beast,” Tracy is overflowing with wisdom and advice for staying not just sane but grateful when it seems like so much is beyond our control. We ask Tracy about adapting to pandemic life, how to keep “self-care” from becoming self-indulgent and how plants can serve as a really useful metaphor for friendships (really). In Signs of the Times, several U.S. bishops have released statements that could lead to confusion among Catholics about whether it is morally permissible to take the Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine. Zac and Ashley discuss: Can too much nuance get in the way of effective communication? Plus, Pope Francis is making a historic visit to Iraq, March 5 to March 8. We share a clip from Inside the Vatican’s deep dive into the trip which answers the question: Why is the pope so set on going to warzone amid a global pandemic?  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: ‘Pastorally dangerous’: U.S. bishops risk causing confusion about vaccines, ethicists say Inside the Vatican: Nobody at the Vatican wants Pope Francis to go to Iraq right now. Why is he so set on going? Pope Francis in Iraq: Everything you need to know about the historic trip We remember them: Covid-19 prayer service from America Media Tracy G Official Website Tracy G’s Audio Vision Board: Forced to Flow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week's show features Declan Mckenna with music from Yuno, DYLYN, In Signs, 408, Dead Reynolds, Baby FuzZ, Nancy Wilson, Small Sins, Death from Above 1979, The Orphan The Poet, Hardwicke Circus & Crashkid! Hosted by Aaron Zytle. 02/23/2021

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 show Pope 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 Elderly God’s voice or mine? 7 tips on what to listen to in prayer Learning 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

Movies about demons and exorcisms are popular at this time of year, and are—let’s be honest—pretty scary. Well, real life demonic possession is even scarier—and nothing to mess around with. This week, we talk with someone who would know. Dr. Richard Gallagher is a board-certified psychiatrist, a leading expert in the field of exorcism and the author of Demonic Foes: My Twenty-Five Years as a Psychiatrist Investigating Possessions, Diabolic Attacks, and the Paranormal. Dr. Gallagher recounts hard-won lessons about the spiritual life as well as some of his most harrowing experiences with literal demons.  In “Signs of the Times,” we look at the 13 new cardinals that Pope Francis named over the weekend, including Washington’s Archbishop Wilton Gregory, who is set to become the first Black Cardinal in the United States.  A reminder that we’ll be discussing Pope Francis’ latest encyclical, “Fratelli Tutti” in reading groups (over drinks) with all members of our Patreon community throughout the month of November. It starts next week, but there’s still time to sign up to support the show and guarantee a spot in the reading group.  Links from the show:  Demonic Foes Dr. Richard Gallagher, Demonic Possession Expert, Isn't Trying to Convince You Pope Francis names 13 new cardinals, including Wilton Gregory, the archbishop of Washington D.C. How long will the Latino community have to wait for a cardinal in the United States? What’s on tap:Witches’ Brew, also known as a gin and tonic made with Empress Gin for spooky coloring.  

Do “real Catholics” have to vote for Donald J. Trump? That’s what Jeannie Gaffigan was hearing from Twitter trolls and loved ones alike following her husband Jim Gaffigan’s uncharacteristically profanity-laced tirade against the president and his supporters during the Republican National Convention.  This week, Jeannie, one half of the Gaffigan comedy duo and author of the book When Life Gives You Pears: The Healing Power of Family, Faith, and Funny People, takes us back to that night and the examination of conscience it inspired. What was it like as a Mass-going mother of five to have her commitment to life challenged? What’s the best way to engage with friends and family across political divides?  In “Signs of the Times,” we discuss two pieces of news that came out of a newly released documentary about Pope Francis: an endorsement of same-sex civil unions and a sharp critique of the Trump administration’s family-separation border policy from Francis. (We recorded the conversation on Wednesday afternoon. The story behind Pope Francis’ comments about civil unions has developed since then, and more coverage can be found at americamagazine.org.) A reminder that we’ll be discussing Pope Francis’ latest encyclical, “Fratelli Tutti” in reading groups (over drinks) with all members of our Patreon community throughout the month of November. There’s still time to sign up to support the show and guarantee a spot in the reading group.  Links from the show:  Jeannie Gaffigan: My loved ones told me ‘real’ Catholics vote for Trump. Here’s my response. Pope Francis declares support for same-sex civil unions for the first time as pope Pope Francis calls Trump’s family separation border policy ‘cruelty of the highest form’ Plot thickens over origins of Pope Francis’ civil union endorsement Check out The Imagine Society What’s on tap:“Irish Coffee,” which means very different things to both Zac and Ashley.

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode 331: Signs of Life with Stephanie Lobdell  Signs of Life: Resurrecting Hope Out Of Ordinary LossEvery day we lose a little bit of something.Career plans wither. Friendships crumble. Our zeal for Jesus wanes. Whether it's the demise of ideals and expectations, belief in the church, a previously healthy relationship, or our image of ourselves: we all experiences losses. So does the God of the resurrection have anything to say to our hurts? Was Christ's resurrection a once-and-done thing, or is there hope for healing and restoration now? In Signs of Life, pastor and writer Stephanie Lobdell leads readers into the grand story of God's saving action and resurrection power. Punctuated with stories of biblical figures such as Sarah, Naaman, Saul, and Anna—who faced ordinary deaths and also God's reviving power —Signs of Life claims Jesus' resurrection matters now. In candid and artful prose, Lobdell shares stories of her own depression, loss of confidence, and disillusionment with the church.Hope isn't cheap, and you can't muscle your way through to joy. There's no sense in pretending everything is fine. Yet through it all, Lobdell claims, God breathes life into what seems beyond redemption. Through it all, the resurrection matters. Buy The Book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1513805614/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1513805614&linkCode=as2&tag=rickleejame00-20&linkId=6b60648cca9822947f0ca931b3c1351dStephanie Lobdell's Web Site: http://www.stephanielobdell.com/As always, thank you for listening to Voices In My Head.  About Your Host: Rick Lee JamesOfficial Web Site: www.RickLeeJames.comGet Rick Lee James Latest Album: https://fanlink.to/RLJThunderFor Booking Inquiries  Click Hereor contact Gary StriplingBy Phone: 904.745.9151By Email: gary@themanagementagency.comManagement General Office Hours:Monday – 11Am – 5PMTuesday – 11Am – 5PMWednesday – Office closedThursday – 11Am – 5PMFriday – 11AM – 5PMSaturday – 11AM – 5PM This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rickleejames.substack.com/subscribe