Episodes

  • How the Enneagram can make you more merciful (and tolerable)

    How the Enneagram can make you more merciful (and tolerable)
    Jun 28 2024
    [CLICK HERE to complete the 2024 Jesuitical listener survey] This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley struggle to resist the temptation to “type” each other as they learn about the Enneagram from Liz Orr, a college chaplain who created the popular “Rude Ass Enneagram” Instagram account and authored the new book, “The Unfiltered Enneagram: A Witty and Wise Guide to Self-Compassion.” They discuss: Various personality types and how they relate to each other (including Zac and Ashley) How we create defensive structures to protect our egos and what to do about it What the Catholic Church as a community and institution can learn from the Enneagram about humble self-assessment In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss the developing news around Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganó, former nuncio to the United States, who has been formally charged with schism by the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. They also preview the upcoming Jubilee year of hope and chart the pilgrimages and charitable works that will grant you an indulgence! What’s on tap? Spicy Margarita Links: Archbishop Viganó charged with schism by the Vatican, will face trial Archbishop Viganò says he will not participate in Vatican schism trial Rude Ass Enneagram Instagram account The Unfiltered Enneagram: A Witty and Wise Guide to Self-Compassion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    56 mins
  • The Jesuits sold 272 enslaved people. How can the church make amends with their descendents?

    The Jesuits sold 272 enslaved people. How can the church make amends with their descendents?
    Jun 21 2024
    [CLICK HERE to complete the 2024 Jesuitical listener survey] This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley are joined by journalist Rachel Swarns to discuss her latest book, The 272: The Families Who Were Enslaved and Sold to Build the American Catholic Church. Rachel shares her wisdom about this important issue for U.S. Catholics and her experience as a Black Catholic, opening up a wide-ranging conversation about the work being done to repair such a grave injustice and promote racial justice in the church. They discuss: The history of Catholic slaveholding and the Jesuits’ involvement in the slave trade The sale of enslaved people by the Jesuits in 1838, its impact on families and the reunion of the descendants The efforts of Georgetown University and the church to repair this injustice In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley cover Pope Francis’ recent meeting with comedians from around the world (and America’s editor at large, James Martin, S.J.). They then discuss the pope’s trip to the G7 in Italy and the concerns he raised in his speech about artificial intelligence. Lastly, they talk about recent polling from the Vinia Research Group that found that Catholics’ belief in the real presence in the Eucharist is higher than a 2019 report from the Pew Research Group would suggest. What’s on tap? Prosecco Links from the show: Pope Francis jokes with Colbert, Fallon, Conan, Whoopi, Chris Rock, Gaffigan and others at the Vatican Pope Francis has private meeting with Joe Biden at G7 summit New Study Suggests More Than Two-Thirds of Catholics Believe the Eucharist is Truly Jesus Do most Catholics think the Eucharist is ‘just a symbol’? It’s complicated. The 272: The Families Who Were Enslaved and Sold to Build the American Catholic Church by Rachel L. Swarns Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    58 mins
  • Meet Steve Javie: Legendary NBA ref and Catholic deacon

    Meet Steve Javie: Legendary NBA ref and Catholic deacon
    Jun 14 2024
    [CLICK HERE to complete the 2024 Jesuitical listener survey] 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
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    54 mins
  • Ethan Hawke on Faith, Imagination, and Flannery O’Connor

    Ethan Hawke on Faith, Imagination, and Flannery O’Connor
    Jun 7 2024
    It’s a very special week on “Jesuitical”—Ethan Hawke joins us to discuss his new film, “Wildcat,” about the Catholic writer Flannery O’Connor, who is portrayed in the film by Ethan’s daughter, Maya. Zac, Ashley and Ethan share a wide-ranging and profound conversation about this great American writer and the work of bringing her to life in “Wildcat.” They discuss: Ethan’s introduction to Flannery through Maya and the inspiration behind “Wildcat” Portraying Flannery’s complicated views on race Exploring religious questions through art Links from the show: Ethan Hawke’s new biopic ‘Wildcat’ gracefully captures Flannery O’Connor’s complex attitudes on race, writing and faith What can we learn from our confirmation names? Share your confirmation saint name in our Facebook group  What’s on tap? Flannery’s favorite concoction: Coca-Cola and coffee (plus a shot of bourbon, per Ethan’s recommendation) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    49 mins
  • Pope Francis used a homophobic slur. How should Catholics respond?

    Pope Francis used a homophobic slur. How should Catholics respond?
    May 31 2024
    This week on “Jesuitical,” we’re breaking from our usual format to discuss news out of the Vatican that Pope Francis used a homophobic slur while discussing church policy on admitting gay men to the priesthood. To discuss this incident and the apology that followed, Ashley is joined by “Jesuitical” producer Sebastian Gomes; Mike O’Loughlin, executive director of Outreach, a resource for L.G.B.T.Q. Catholics; and Ricardo da Silva, S.J., producer of the “Inside the Vatican” podcast, host of the “Preach” podcast and an associate editor at America. They discuss: The context of the incident, the Vatican’s response, and the implications for L.G.B.T.Q. Catholics Vatican policy about gay men in seminaries and the history of Francis’ outreach to L.G.B.T.Q. Catholics Advice for those affected by the pope’s comments Links from the show: I am a gay priest. We need more than an apology for Pope Francis’ homophobic slur. Pope Francis used an anti-gay slur. What now for L.G.B.T.Q. Catholics? Pope Francis says Italian seminaries should reject gay applicants Vatican issues apology after Pope Francis’ use of an anti-gay slur Pope Francis’ remarks about gay seminarians ‘taken out of context and used to divide,’ Italian bishop says Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    38 mins
  • Discerning the spirits with Eric Sundrup, S.J.

    Discerning the spirits with Eric Sundrup, S.J.
    May 24 2024
    This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley are live at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio, for a conversation with Eric Sundrup, S.J., who provides spiritual direction (or spiritual violence, depending on who you ask) for the podcast. The hosts and Eric share their own experiences discerning their paths as young adults and offer insights from Jesuit spirituality to young people navigating big life questions. They discuss: The need for community and friends you can be vulnerable with while discerning How consolation and desolation can guide discernment Advice for young people discerning their path During Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley are joined by Stuart Wilson-Smith, C.S.P., the Catholic chaplain at the University of California, Los Angeles, to discuss the recent student protests taking place on campus. Father Stu describes the scene on U.C.L.A.’s campus, how the Catholic center offered support and spaces for interfaith dialogue to students, and where he saw God amid the protests. Links from the show: UCLA’s Catholic chaplain: The world saw scenes of violence at campus protests. Here’s what they didn’t see. Learn more about the Paulists What’s on tap? Kentucky Bourbon from the Neeley Family Distillery Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    57 mins
  • We’re all Cafeteria Catholics

    We’re all Cafeteria Catholics
    May 17 2024
    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
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    49 mins
  • A singer-songwriter inspired by Saint (and Pope) Francis

    A singer-songwriter inspired by Saint (and Pope) Francis
    May 10 2024
    This week on Jesuitical, Zac and Ashley are joined by Andrea Von Kampen, a singer-songwriter and friend of the show. Hailing from Lincoln, Neb., Andrea discusses her new album, “Sister Moon.” (For those keeping track at home, yes, that is a St. Francis of Assisi reference.) Recorded at Union Pool in Brooklyn, N.Y., they share a wide-ranging conversation touching on spirituality, live music, the environment and more. They discuss: The spiritual and environmental influences on “Sister Moon” How Andrea writes about important issues without being preachy The joys and challenges of touring as a singer-songwriter, especially post-Covid In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley cover the ins and outs of the recent synod meeting of parish priests at the Vatican. They also discuss a “home blessing challenge” in Cincinnati, then close out by talking about the Catholics who recently received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from a fellow Catholic, President Joe Biden. Links from the Show Sister Moon Andrea Von Kampen's website Parish priests had a synod meeting with the Vatican. But will they be included in October’s assembly? Cincinnati priests compete to meet parishioners in home blessing challenge Jesuit Father Gregory Boyle and Nancy Pelosi to be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom Francesco: A Pope Francis Documentary What’s on tap? Nine Pin Hard Cider Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    48 mins