Jesuitical

Will Arbery’s 2019 play “Heroes of the Fourth Turning” was praised by viewers from across the political spectrum for its nuanced depiction of Catholic conservatives in the Trump era. While Donald Trump is no longer in the White House (or on Twitter), 74 million Americans voted to give him a second term, and debates about how his supporters will affect the Republican Party and the country have only intensified since the attack on the Capitol. We talk to Will about his play, the Jan. 6 insurrection and learning to listen across our cultural divides. In Signs of the Times, we bring our colleague Michael J. O’Loughlin to discuss the Vatican’s controversial statement banning blessings for same-sex couples. Plus: the Jesuits pledged to raise $100 million to benefit the descendents of enslaved persons owned and sold by the Society of Jesus, and March Madness returns. 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: Vatican, with Pope Francis’ approval, says priests cannot bless same-sex couples ‘It just hurts’: Catholics react to Vatican ban on blessings for same-sex couples How ESPN’s Joe Lunardi invented bracketology Interview: Did playwright Will Arbery predict the storming of the Capitol in ‘Heroes of the Fourth Turning’? A visit to the rural Catholic college that has 171 students, 12 horses and zero textbooks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The numbers don’t lie: Young people are less religious than previous generations—at least in the ways we have traditionally understood that dynamic. But behind the numbers lies a fascinating web of stories about how young people find and discover meaning. One of the most important factors: relationships. We discuss a groundbreaking report, “The State of Religion & Young People 2020: Relational Authority,” published by Springtide Research Institute, with Springtide’s executive director, Josh Packard. The report’s insight is essential for anyone who works with young people in any capacity. In Signs of the Times, Ashley and Zac discuss Pope Francis’ trip to Iraq. It was moving and historic, but will it cause an uptick in cases of Covid-19? We also look at the fascinating story of Servant of God Father Emil Kapaun, who is already a Medal of Honor recipient. Is sainthood next? 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: Inside the Vatican: In Iraq with Pope Francis A Kansas priest’s quest to canonize a Korean War hero The State of Religion & Young People 2020: Relational Authority Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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’s Website Tracy G’s Audio Vision Board: Forced to Flow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pete Holmes refers to Father Richard Rohr affectionately as “Richie.” Pete is a talented comedian, podcaster and television writer, and he’s also a deep admirer of the work of last week’s guest. We talked to Pete last summer about his memoir Comedy Sex God, and after our conversation with Father Richard last week, we were able to appreciate Pete’s story on a much deeper level. Thus, we’re bringing it to you today. We have an all new Signs of the Times and Consolations and Desolations, where we look at the curious case of Venerable Mother Cornelia Connelly’s body and who gets to claim her remains, as well as mark the grim milestone of 500,000 coronavirus deaths in the United States. Links from the show: The life of Catholic foundress Cornelia Connelly was ruled by men. Was her obedience to them holy? Plan to move Sussex nun’s bones to US faces local opposition Cardinal Gregory prays on CNN for 500,000 Americans killed by Covid-19 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s guest hardly needs an introduction. Father Richard Rohr is a Franciscan priest, the author of several well-known books on spirituality, including his latest The Universal Christ, and the founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation in New Mexico. In this wide-ranging interview, we talk to Father Richard about the difference between “Jesus” and “Christ,” the dangers of tribal religion and how we should approach this most unusual Lenten season. We wanted to give this conversation plenty of space (you’ll understand why when you listen), so no Signs of the Times this week. Links from the show: Center for Action and Contemplation The Universal Christ: How a Forgotten Reality Can Change Everything We See, Hope For, and Believe Lent reflections, podcasts and more from America's staff What’s on tap? Nothing! Our 40 days of abstinence from alcohol begins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Abortion “is not an argument anyone is going to win,” Caitlin Flanagan wrote in a December 2019 essay for The Atlantic. “The loudest advocates on both sides are terrible representatives for their cause.” Caitlin is a staff writer at The Atlantic, where she writes on politics and culture. She identifies as pro-choice. The hosts of this show identify as pro-life. But all of us yearn for a debate and conversation about hard issues like aboriton that isn’t dominated by the vitriol often demonstrated by the “loudest advocates” that Caitlin refers to. We model that and more in this week’s show. During Signs of the Times, we discuss the first woman to be nominated with the right to vote as undersecretary of the synod of bishops; we also get into the controversy over Abby Johnson, a popular pro-life speaker and supporter of President Trump, delivering a speech at the Catholic University of America. 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: One woman can vote in next year’s synod. Others are ‘under consideration.’ Catholic University students object to pro-life speaker Abby Johnson, citing past comments on race The Dishonesty of the Abortion Debate What’s on tap? Michelob Ultra Seltzers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

Every year, tens of thousands of students, priests, sisters and pro-life activists gather in Washington, D.C., around the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s decision in Roe v. Wade to witness against abortion. This year, the march looks different because of Covid-19. But it is also noteworthy for another reason: It is the first march of the “post-Trump era.” Though he is no longer president, for many Americans, Donald Trump will remain the face of the pro-life movement for years to come. So where do we go from here? What can those of us who oppose abortion and the death penalty—who want Roe overturned and for our country to welcome refugees—do to change the conversation around life issues? Thankfully, we got one answer to that question back in 2019, when we talked with Destiny Herndon-De La Rosa, the founder of New Wave Feminists. Destiny became a mother at a young age, and her experience inspired her to to form the pro-life, feminist organization that gives women the support and resources needed to make motherhood a feasible option. We wanted to share this conversation with you (again) because it’s people like Destiny who give us hope for the future of the pro-life movement. This episode of Jesuitical was 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 lectures 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 receive bonus content and swag from Jesuitical, check out our Patreon community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Wednesday, Jan. 20, Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States, only the second Catholic ever to hold the office. Zac and Ashley are joined by Matt Malone, S.J., to discuss their reactions to President Biden’s inauguration—including the prayers offered by other Jesuits throughout the day. Father Malone is the editor in chief of America, worked in politics before joining the Jesuits and brings a historical and personal eye to the events of the week. We’re happy to report that Pope Francis, Pope Emeritus Benedict and guests at the Vatican’s homeless shelter all received a vaccine for Covid-19, even as the Catholic Church, like the rest of the world, continues to lose leaders to the virus. Please consider supporting the show by subscribing to America, or by pledging on our Patreon page. Links from the show: Pope Francis sends greeting to President Biden, contrasting with sharper message from head of U.S. bishops Joe Biden begins Inauguration Day with Mass Read: The Invocation at the Inauguration of President Joe Biden Joe Biden knows the grief of losing family—and how our pain can have a purpose. Watch: Matt Malone, SJ interviews Joe Biden What’s on tap? Cape Codder: Vodka and cranberry juice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the most alarming aspects of the Jan. 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of President Trump was the prevalence of Christian symbols and language. That the cross and the name of Jesus were used to justify a violent attack on our nation’s democratic institutions shows just how far the Christian community has fallen short, according to this week’s guest, the Rev. Bryan Massingale: “We’ve allowed Christianity, Christian symbols, Christian faith, Christian language to be hijacked in the cause of a human ideology of exclusion and division and division.” Father Massingale teaches theological and social ethics at Fordham University in New York and is the author of Racial Justice and the Catholic Church. We talk with him about the toxic mix of racism, idolatry and spiritual emptiness on display on Capitol Hill and how Christians should respond. In Signs of the Times, Pope Francis changed canon law this week to allow women to be officially installed as lectors and acolytes (i.e., those who do the readings, serve the altar and distribute Communion at Mass). Zac and Ashley discuss what this means for parishes and the place of women in the church. This episode of Jesuitical was 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 lectures 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 unluck unlimited access to all our articles with a digital subscription for less than $1 per week. Subscribe here. And to receive bonus content and swag from Jesuitical, check out our Patreon community. Links from the show: Impeach. Convict. Now. How Catholic Leaders Helped Give Rise to Violence at the U.S. Capitol Pope Francis changes canon law: ministries of acolyte and lector open to women Explainer: The history of women lectors and altar servers—and what Pope Francis has changed The Racist Attack on Our Nation’s Capitol What’s on tap? Johnny Walker Black Label, with a twist Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We don’t have to tell you that 2020 has been a really tough year. And yet we know that God is still with us, and we are still celebrating the birth of our savior on Christmas morning. To mark the coming of our Lord, we wanted to do something a little different on Jesuitical. So, instead of covering the Catholic news of the week, we asked you, our listeners, to tell us where you found God in your life amid the loneliness, uncertainty and loss of the coronavirus pandemic. And Zac and Ashley share personal reflections about what Christmas means to them this year. As always, we are grateful to everyone who listens to and supports the show. Have a blessed Christmas season—and we’ll see you next year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all need a laugh. 2020 has been an absolutely awful year (no citation needed). But is it O.K. for us to take a step back and laugh at it all? We bring on professional funny man and former professional Catholic, Greg Iwinksi, to discuss. Greg is an Emmy-nominated comedy writer and performer, and he currently writes for “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.” He’s previously written for “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” and worked with The Second City and iO theaters. We talk to Greg about the pandemic, the difference between “church” funny and “actual” funny and Trump Jokes. Greg also reminds us that comedy is serious business, and above all about telling the truth. In Signs of the Times, we discuss the Vatican’s controversial Nativity and deliver a Jesuitical SOT-P.S.A. about the newly F.D.A.-approved Covid-19 vaccines. This is our last regular episode of 2020, but there is still time for you to help with our special Christmas edition of Jesuitical. Email a 60-second-or-less voice memo to [email protected] describing a consolation from 2020. Get your consolation in by Monday, Dec. 21! What’s on tap? Hot Toddy Links from the show: Greg’s Twitter Feed Greg’s new Star Wars podcast Why is Darth Vader in the Vatican’s Nativity scene? U.S. Catholic bishops: Getting a COVID-19 vaccine is an ‘act of charity’ Waiting for a Covid test is more than just standing in line. It’s an act of mercy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“We’re all monks now” was an early refrain about life in coronavirus lockdown. Time slowed down as we kept to our houses and limited contact with family and friends. Of course, unlike monks, we also had Zoom calls and Netflix. Lots and lots of Netflix. So we wanted to talk to a monk and find out just how much our Covid quarantines resemble life in a monastery. Dom Benedict Nivakoff, O.S.B., is the prior of the Monastery of San Benedetto in Monte in Norcia, Italy, the birthplace of St. Benedict, considered the father of Western monasticism. We ask Father Prior about living under St. Benedict’s Rule and what advice he has for those us struggling to accept the limitations of pandemic life. And during Signs of the Times, Pope Francis has dedicated the next year to St. Joseph. Zac and Ashley share their takeaways from “Patris Corde,” the pope reflection on the foster father of Jesus. Next, the pope plans to visit Iraq in March, but can he do so without putting his and others’ health at risk? And you’ve heard of “Elf on the Shelf,” but what about “Mary on the Mantel”? The hosts debate the merits of a new Advent tradition. Finally, we need your help! 2020 has been a year like no other. It has been filled with suffering and longing, for sure, but also moments of grace. And we want to hear about yours. Send a short voice memo to [email protected] describing a specific time in the last year when you found God working in your life. We hope to share your consolations in a special Christmas episode. Links from the show: Pope Francis proclaims a year dedicated to St. Joseph Patris Corde Pope Francis plans to visit Iraq in March after getting a Covid vaccine ‘Mary on the Mantel’? Think ‘Elf on the Shelf,’ but Catholic What’s on tap? Birra Nursia Blonde Ale (You can order it here. A great Christmas gift for the beer lovers in your life!) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This was bound to be an odd Advent. But as a lot of Catholics discovered during the odd Lent, Easter and Ordinary Time we experienced this year, there is also an invitation to develop new traditions and prayer practices. Our guest this week, Tsh Oxenreider, has been helping people connect in new ways and live more simply for a long time through her writing and podcasting. We talk to Tsh about her latest project, Shadow & Light: A Journey Into Advent, and her journey to make Advent meaningful for her family. During Signs of the Times, Ashley and Zac discuss the 13 new cardinals that Pope Francis recently elevated, and what they want to see out of the pope’s closest advisers. They also look at misinformation around Covid vaccines. What’s on tap? Advent calendar wine, from Zac’s mom. Links from the show: Shadow & Light: A Journey Into Advent tshoxenreider.com Pope Francis has made Wilton Gregory the first African-American cardinal U.S. bishops’ internal memo: Catholics can take Covid-19 vaccines Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are good writers, there are Catholic writers and then there are the Catholic literary greats like Flannery O’Connor, Cormac McCarthy, and to the surprise of some, Toni Morison. But what exactly makes their stories distinctly Catholic? And how do themes of incarnation, death and resurrection show up even while the artist has lapsed in their religious practice? Ashley and Zac settle in with the writer Nick Ripatrazone to talk about these literary giants and where the Catholic imagination comes alive in works of fiction. They also talk about Nick’s recently published book “Longing for an Absent God: Faith and Doubt in Great American Fiction.” Links from the show: Longing for an Absent God Nick Ripatrazone Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The release of the McCarrick report has once again brought the church’s sex abuse crisis back to the headlines—and once again Catholics are asking: What is the root cause? Clericalism, writes Sam Sawyer, S.J., a Jesuit priest and our colleague at America Media. While we may not know what drive any individual person to abuse, he believes the McCarrick report confirms that clericalism explains how Theodore McCarrick was able to rise through the ranks of the hierarchy despite persistent rumors of sexual misconduct. We ask Sam how clericalism plays both at the Vatican and in our own parishes, and what priests and laypeople alike can do to root it out. In Signs of the Times, we discuss the U.S. bishops’ general assembly and the creation of a new working group to address what Archbishop José Gomez called the “difficult and complex situation” they see in Joe Biden—the second Catholic president in U.S. history. How should the bishops engage the Biden administration on issues like abortion and religious liberty? Links from the show: U.S. bishops express concern over a having a Catholic president who is pro-choice The McCarrick Report confirms it: Clericalism powered the sex abuse crisis. What’s on tap? Boulevardiers: 1 ½ ounces bourbon, ¾ ounce sweet vermouth, ¾ ounce Campari. Twist of orange peel, for garnish Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Choosing your health insurance, going to the doctor, paying unexpected medical bills: these are facts of life that no one would describe as fun. But on his podcast “An Arm and a Leg,” Dan Weissmann explores the U.S. health care system and its costs for consumers in an entertaining—and empowering—way. This week, we talk to Dan about how to hold your own when you are slapped with an exorbitant medical bill, and ask: Why is the health care system so confusing? In Signs of the Times, we briefly mark the occasion of the election of the second Catholic president in U.S. history (and celebrate the controversial song he quoted in his acceptance speech). Next, the Vatican published its much-anticipated report on the investigation into former cardinal Theodore McCarrick. We bring on Colleen Dulle of America’s “Inside the Vatican” podcast to breakdown the top takeaways from the report. Who knew what about McCarrick’s abuse—and should we trust an internal investigation, conducted by those with the most at stake? Links from the show: Joe Biden will be the second Catholic president. Here’s what you need to know about his faith. “On Eagle’s Wings”: The simple origin of the song that makes the world cry Top 5 Takeaways from the McCarrick Report An Arm and a Leg podcast What’s on tap? Trappist-made wine from New Clairvaux Vineyard Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

By the time you listen to this episode, we may already know who the 46th president of the United States will be. But whoever wins, there is one thing we can say with certainty now: We remain a divided country. So this week, we wanted to talk to someone who has been working across divisions for over a decade: Dr. Eboo Patel. In 2002, Eboo founded the Interfaith Youth Core, an organization that works with colleges, governments and social service agencies to increase interfaith cooperation. He also served on President Barack Obama’s inaugural Advisory Council on Faith-Based Neighborhood Partnerships. Eboo believes that it is impossible to understand what is happening in our world—and in the 2020 election—without paying attention to and engaging with people’s diverse religious commitments. We ask Eboo what lessons he has learned from his interfaith work that might help us to heal the fractures of our body politic. With the election results very much still up in the air at recording time, we decided it didn’t make a lot of sense to try to read the signs of the times this week. But stick around after the interview for our (non-election related) Consolations and Desolations. A reminder that we are discussing Pope Francis’ latest encyclical, “Fratelli Tutti,” in reading groups (over drinks) with all members of our Patreon community throughout the month of November. Even if you missed the first meeting, there’s still time to sign up to support the show and guarantee a spot in the reading group. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're dropping an episode from the Voting Catholic podcast in the Jesuitical feed! Voting Catholic is an original podcast series from America Media that explores the top voting issues in the United States, from abortion to immigration to racial justice, by sharing the voices of experts and activists on the front lines. Each episode tackles one issue through personal storytelling and socio-political analysis from a Catholic perspective. This episode is called "Abortion: It's more complicated than you think." The Catholic Bishops teach that abortion is a preeminent voting issue for Catholics, because it directly attacks life itself. Do Catholics agree? And should it take precedence over other life and death issues? Aimee Murphy is the Executive Director of Rehumanize International. Visit her white paper and presentation here. Learn more about Tricia Bruce’ study: “What Americans Really Think About Abortion” US Bishops teaching document on the political responsibility of Catholics: "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship" Stay up-to-date with America Media's coverage of the 2020 election: www.americamagazine.org/newsletters You can support this media ministry at www.americamagazine.org/donate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Father Pat Conroy has served as the 60th chaplain to the U.S. House of Representatives since 2011 (with a brief interruption thanks to former Speaker of the House, Paul Ryan). He’s a Jesuit priest, but that doesn’t mean he’s the Catholic chaplain—he’s chaplain to all 435 members. We talk to Father Conroy about his role, what Americans don’t understand about their representatives and what his prayer for our country is as we head into a heated presidential election. During Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss Carlo Acutis, who is on the way to becoming the first millennial saint, and ask why Pope Francis won’t wear a mask, even with rising Covid-19 cases at the Vatican. If you haven’t had the time to read all of Pope Francis’ new encyclical, “Fratelli Tutti,” we have some good news. Jesuitical is sponsoring a virtual reading group happy hour (yes, that means over drinks) throughout the month of November for Patreon supporters. For more details about that and how to support the show, visit our Patreon page. Links from the show: Jesuit House chaplain prays to expel ‘darker spirits’ from the U.S. Capitol Report: House chaplain, a Jesuit priest, was forced out by Speaker Paul Ryan Teen was ‘influencer for God,’ mother says on eve of son’s beatification Podcast: Covid cases are rising in Vatican City. Is Pope Francis at risk? What’s on tap? Champagne + Prosecco, to celebrate some good news. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our lives are shaped by language, even if most of us are not poets. But it helps to talk to one if you want to reflect deeply on how language, in the words of this week’s guest, can make or break a world, can fail us or save us. Pádraig Ó Tuama is an Irish poet and theologian and host of the podcast “Poetry Unbound” with On Being Studios. We speak with Pádraig about his love for words, the politics of poetry and the need for creativity in the work of peace and reconciliation. In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss Pope Francis’ new encyclical of human fraternity, “Fratelli Tutti.” The hosts give their top three takeaways and share what part of this (very long) document spoke to them personally. We cannot do this work without your support, whether that’s becoming a member of our Patreon community, leaving a review on Apple podcasts or telling your friends and family about the show. Links from the show Fratelli Tutti Pope Francis closes the door on the death penalty in ‘Fratelli Tutti’ America’s comprehensive coverage of “Fratelli Tutti” Poetry Unbound Voting Catholic What’s on tap? Tea Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the midst of a global pandemic, an economic recession and renewed unrest around racial injustice, it can feel overwhelming to highlight yet another crisis. But the Catholic Church is only two years removed from the summer of 2018, when the sexual abuse crisis came roaring back after the release of the Pennsylvania Grand Jury Report and the crimes of former Cardinal Theodore McCarick had come to light. “Crisis,” a new podcast from The Catholic Project at The Catholic University of America, is trying to keep this issue on the minds and hearts of Catholics. This week, we talk to the show’s host, Karna Lozoya, about what has happened since 2018 and what the church still needs to do. In Signs of the Times, we take a deeper look at the controversy around Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett’s religious affiliations, and ask whether or not the media and politicians need to learn to ask better questions about religion. If you’re enjoying the show, please rate and review us on Apple Podcasts. If you’re feeling called to support the show financially, please check out our Patreon page. Links from the show: Crisis Explainer: Amy Coney Barrett’s relationship with People of Praise Shakeup at St. Louis archdiocese over handling of immigration webinar What’s on Tap? Pedialyte Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For many, the killing of George Floyd was a turning point. People of every age and race poured into streets across the country, demanding justice for not only Mr. Floyd but Breonna Taylor, Jacob Blake, Ahmaud Arbery and countless other Black men and women victimized by racist structures. But for this week’s guest, Anthea Butler, this moment feels more like a precipice than a turning point. Dr. Butler is an associate professor of religion and Africana studies at the University of Pennsylvania, who has been seeking to raise awareness about systemic racism in her students and the wider culture for years. We talk to Dr. Butler about how she sees these protests in the context of U.S. history, racism among Catholics and evangelicals, and the role of academics in the fight for racial justice. In Signs of the Times, the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg has created an opening on the Supreme Court, and the two most likely judges to fill her seat are both Catholic women. Zac and Ashley discuss the history of Catholics on the court and why they have come to dominate the bench in the 21st century. Plus, we talk about the case of an Irish priest suspended from ministry in 2012 because of his support for women’s ordination and same-sex marriage and ask: What has and has not changed about how the Vatican disciplines dissenting priests under Pope Francis? This was our 150th episode! Thanks to everyone who has stuck with us over the past two-and-a-half years. Making this podcast is the best part of our jobs, and we couldn’t do it without this amazing community of listeners. And a special thanks to members of our Patreon group. If Jesuitical is an important part of your life as a Catholic, please consider supporting the show. Links from the show Why do Catholics make up a majority of the Supreme Court? Suspended Irish priest Tony Flannery calls Vatican inquiry ‘unjust’ Dr. Anthea Butler’s website and Twitter What’s on tap? Birthday girl’s choice: Shots of Bulleit Bourbon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Yes, we know that you’re (probably) already sick of the presidential campaign. The next six weeks are going to be filled with television ads, yard signs, push notifications and Facebook flame wars among friends and family. Yet we know that Catholics have a duty to be in political conversations, so the solution at America is not to tune out but to be more discerning about what to tune in to. That’s why this week we’re talking with one of the best political reporters in the business: Scott Detrow. Scott covers the presidential campaigns for NPR and co-hosts the NPR politics podcast. We talk to him about how he approaches covering both the Biden and Trump campaigns, how Catholics are influencing this election and what role Joe Biden’s Catholic faith plays in his campaign. In Signs of the Times, a new poll found that 36 percent of young Catholics say they will attend Mass less often after the pandemic. Zac and Ashley discuss what churches can do to keep young people in the pews. Plus, we bring on America’s editor in chief, Matt Malone, S.J., to talk about the magazine’s unprecedented editorial on President Trump and the 2020 election. We cannot do this work without your support, whether that’s becoming a member of our Patreon community, leaving a review on Apple podcasts or telling your friends and family about the show. Links from the show Cardinal Sarah to bishops: Facilitate Mass in person as soon as conditions permit New poll: 36 percent of young Catholics say they will attend Mass less often after pandemic America magazine: Donald Trump is a unique threat to the Constitution Scott’s first appearance on Jesuitical from 2017 What’s on tap? Margaritas, recommended by Scott Detrow: The true drink of 2020 is coffee. But my favorite drink this year—the go-to drink sitting in the backyard processing everything and relaxing—has been a stripped down margarita recipe. 2 oz white tequila, an ounce of simple syrup, and one squeezed lime all shaken up with salt on the rim. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anyone who is familiar with “Catholic Twitter” or dives into the comments section of Catholic publications knows there are some ugly fights happening between Catholics on the internet—especially about Pope Francis. But is this just a social media phenomenon? This week’s guest doesn’t think so. Mike Lewis believes the pope’s most strident, reactionary critics are not just a fringe to be ignored or dismissed but an influential faction that is dividing the church and families. We talk to Mike about witnessing his own mother become convinced that Pope Francis was a heretic and how that affected his family and his faith. We ask why this pope has inspired such fierce opposition and what can bishops and the people in the pews do to promote unity within the church. In Signs of the Times, Pope Francis will sign a new encyclical on human fraternity, titled “Fratelli tutti,” on Oct. 3 at the tomb of St. Francis Assisi. Zac and Ashley discuss what solidarity means during (and after) the pandemic and what the document might say to young Catholics. Next, should your priest tell you how to vote? With the 2020 presidential race kicking into high gear, some Catholic leaders are publicly endorsing the candidates. We discuss what U.S. law and church teaching say about political advocacy from the pulpit. We are so excited to be back in your feeds and are ready to dive into the big stories in the church and the world that are coming this fall. We cannot do this work without your support, whether that’s becoming a member of our Patreon community, leaving a review on Apple podcasts or telling your friends and family about the show. Links from the show Pope Francis’ critics are dividing the church and families—including mine Where Peter Is Pope Francis will sign new encyclical on human fraternity at the tomb of St. Francis of Assisi Explainer: Can a priest or a member of a religious order publicly endorse a political candidate? What’s on tap? Stiegl Radler Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Please tell us what you think about Jesuitical by filling out our listener survey! It takes about 10 minutes to fill out and can be found here. If you’ve spent any time looking for Catholic resources online, you have certainly come across the work of Bishop Robert Barron. The auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles is the founder of Word on Fire Ministries and has been called a “Fulton Sheen for the 21st century.” He reaches millions of people over social media and has spoken about God in the expected (seminaries, Cathedrals) and unexpected (Google headquarters, Reddit AMAs) places alike. We caught up with him to talk about his ministry during coronavirus, attracting controversy (yes, we talk about that Jordan Peterson interview), West Coast Catholicism and the recent Black Lives Matter protests. This is our final show before our summer break. We’ll be popping in the feed periodically to share some thoughts and conversations with you, but otherwise we will be hard at work improving Jesuitical so we can come back better than ever in the fall. But to do that, we need your help. Please tell us what you think about Jesuitical by filling out our listener survey. It will help us make the show better and tell our sponsors more about who you are. It takes about 10 minutes to fill out and can be found here. Until then, please keep us in your prayers. We’ll be praying for you. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the production of Jesuitical has been made possible, in part, by the generous support from American Bible Society. To learn more about American Bible Society and their amazing work visit www.americanbible.org. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you are paying attention to the news these days, you have probably heard the term “systemic racism” used to describe the conditions in this country that made something as horrific as the killing of George Floyd by a police officer in broad daylight possible. The disproportionate impact of the coronavirus on people of color has also been talked about as an issue of “systemic racism.” But what exactly does that mean? How does it play out in different parts of American society and in individual lives? How do history, individual prejudices, government policy and social arrangement conspire to devalue the lives of some Americans? This week, we explore those questions through a specific lens: health care. Sarah Kureshi is a doctor of family medicine who teaches a course at Georgetown University on racial bias in the health care system. We ask Dr. Kureshi about the root causes of health inequalities, what the medical community is doing to root out racism and what the coronavirus pandemic has revealed about what and who this country considers essential. In Signs of the Times, we discuss the Supreme Court’s decision to extend discrimination protections to L.G.B.T. workers and how the Catholic media should cover Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò’s conspiratorial letter to Donald J. Trump. Tell us what you thought about today’s show on Jesuitical’s Facebook page. And if Jesuitical has been an important source of information or nourishment for you during these trying times, please consider becoming a member of our Patreon community. We can’t make the show without your support. Thank you. Links from the show Supreme Court says federal law protects L.G.B.T. workers from discrimination President Trump tweeted about Archbishop Viganò. So, who is he? Archbishop Viganò is aligning with Trump to stay in the spotlight. Pay him no attention. Inside the Vatican Podcast: Why is the Vatican silent on Archbishop Viganò? What’s on tap? Aperol Spritz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In cities across the country, Americans are taking to the streets and plazas to express their outrage over the killing of yet another black man at the hands of a white police officer and to demand radical changes in how law enforcement is carried out in the United States. And at dinner tables and on social media platforms, many families and friends are haltingly, belatedly, beginning to have conversations about what the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and the countless victims of police brutality who preceded them say about the soul of this country—and our own role in the longstanding injustices now captured so vividly on cell phone cameras and streamed on screens around the world. These conversations are not easy to have, and we shouldn’t expect them to be. But it helps when you have someone as knowledgeable, passionate and patient as our friend and former co-host Olga Segura to help you work through the issues. This week, we ask Olga how she approaches conversations about racism with her only family, the role of the Catholic Church in the fight for racial justice and what white Catholics can do to become allies in that fight. We had a lot of ground to cover with Olga, so no Signs of the Times or Consolations and Desolations this week. If you found this conversation helpful, please share it with a friend or family member, and keep the conversation going on our Facebook page. If you’d like to support Jesuitical, consider becoming a member of our Patreon community. Links from the show How can Catholics help lead the fight against racism? Remembering the NYPD Shooting of Dominican Immigrant Kiko García and What It Means During Today’s #BlackLivesMatter Movement Fordham’s Bryan Massingale: White Catholics need to sit with the discomfort of systemic racism Follow Olga on Twitter! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pete Holmes played the game. He followed the rules. He went to church, attended a Christian college and saved himself for marriage. He was ready for God to hold up his end of the deal and deliver happiness and success. Then his wife (the one he saved himself for) had an affair. Pete’s life started to spiral, sending him on a spiritual journey through atheism, agnosticism, drugs, to what he now calls “Christ-leaning spiritual seeker.” Pete is also the host of the podcast, “You Made It Weird,” where he talks to celebrities and spiritual masters about life’s big questions, and recently wrote a two-part episode of “The Simpsons,” “Warrin’ Priests.” We talk to Pete about his journey, detailed in his memoir Comedy Sex God, his interest in Father Richard Rohr and make a not-so-subtle case for the Jesuits to him. (The conversation went long, so no Signs of the Times or Consolations or Desolations this week.) Links from the show: Comedy Sex God Warrin’ Priests You Made It Weird with Pete Holmes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“This is a group of people who are figuring out how to pay their bills every month. And now they’re going to be faced with a more difficult challenge, and the government isn’t coming in to help them.” J.D. Long-Garcia is a senior editor at America working out of Phoenix, Az. He covers the south west, where the Catholic Church is growing. During the Covid-19 pandemic, his writing has focused on immigrant workers, an especially vulnerable group to the current economic disruption. “In some sense today, social distancing is a privilege. It’s for the privileged class. And that’s not this group of people. If they social distance, they aren’t going to have any money.” J.D. also discusses his journalistic approach to covering communities that are a part of his own life and heritage, and explains how undocumented immigrants bring much more to America than they take away. Don’t forget to join Jesuitical’s Facebook group! We cannot make this show or grow this community without your support. Please consider giving through Patreon. And, thank you. Links from the show: Follow J.D. on TwitterArticles by J.D.:Immigrant workers face economic uncertainty during Covid-19 shutdown Stimulus does little to stifle Covid-19 fears in the undocumented community U.S.-Mexico border humanitarians scramble to curb coronavirus Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do you do if God has commanded you to do something that could put your health and even life at risk? This is the wrenching question faced by thousands of Jewish women who visit mikvah’s, small, public pools, which women immerse themselves in as part of the purity ritual after having their period. Unlike the obligation to attend Mass on Sunday, this religious requirement cannot be dispensed or suspended. Emma Green, a staff writer at The Atlantic, spoke with some of these women about their struggle to reconcile their fidelity to God-given laws for sexual purity and their desire to keep their families and communities safe during the coronavirus pandemic. We ask Emma about this story as well as her insights into the reopening of houses of worship, how the pandemic will permanently change religious practice in the United States and the role of churches, synagogues and mosques in helping the nation to mourn. In Signs of the Times, on the fifth anniversary of the promulgation of “Laudato Si’,” Pope Francis called on Catholics and all people of goodwill to join him in a yearlong period of prayer and action for the protection of the environment. Next, in an interview with America’s national correspondent, Michael O’Loughlin, Dr. Anthony Fauci says even as churches reopen, Catholics should not receive Communion in either form for the time being. Finally, we talk with Angelo Jesus Canta (former Jesuitical engineer and graphic designer) about what he has learned from participating in lay-led, at-home liturgies during the coronavirus pandemic. Have you taken up new spiritual practices during this time of quarantine? Tell us about it on Jesuitical’s Facebook page. And if Jesuitical has been an important source of information or nourishment for you during these trying times, please consider becoming a member of our Patreon community. We can’t make the show without your support. Thank you. Links from the show Orthodox Jewish Women Are Facing an Impossible Choice Right Now Nuns vs. the Coronavirus Pope Francis announces year of reflection on “Laudato Si’” and prays for Catholics in China Dr. Anthony Fauci: To keep churches safe, use masks, limit singing and wait to resume Communion Learning to love lay-led liturgies in quarantine (while missing the Mass) What’s on tap? Pineapple Gin & Tonics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You’ve heard of the “nones.” It seems like every week there is a new book, article or survey trying to explain the increasingly large segment of millennials and Gen-Zers who check “none” when asked about their religious affiliation. Tara Isabella Burton, a theologian, author and journalist, is less interested in what these young people are leaving behind (institutional religion) than in how they are finding or making their own meaning. From Harry Potter fan forums to SoulCycle, Crossfit and witchcraft, Americans are forming niche communities that play the role traditionally filled by churches. We ask Tara about the origins of the trend, the dangers of picking and choosing our own beliefs and rituals and whether institutional religion has a chance of reaching what she calls religion “Remixers.” In Signs of the Times, Pope Francis celebrates a Mass with 100 worshippers for the centenary of St. John Paul II’s birth—the first large gathering at St. Peter’s Basilica since the coronavirus shut down churches in Italy. Next, we bring on America’s national correspondent, Michael O’Loughlin, to talk about the reopening of churches in the United States. Finally, we ask: Should Michael Jordan be a (secular) saint? Zac makes the case for hagiography in the church and the world of sports. Tell us what you think about the episode on our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and help other listeners find Jesuitical by leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts. Please consider supporting the show by becoming a member of our Patreon community. Patrons get access to an exclusive newsletter written by one of your hosts each week! Links from the show: Pope Francis celebrates St. John Paul II centenary: ‘God sent his people a prophet.’ U.S. Catholic dioceses release plans for reopening churches Michael Jordan and the problem (and necessity) of hagiography Strange Rites: New Religions for a Godless World Why you (yes you) should care about theology What’s on tap?Old Fashioned’s Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Countries around the world are fighting the Covid-19 pandemic and Vatican City State is no exception. But since the coronavirus shut down Italy in early March, Pope Francis has pointed toward the world to come...on earth. The host of America’s “Inside the Vatican” podcast, Colleen Dulle, joins Ashley, Zac and Vivian to explain what Pope Francis has done to respond to the pandemic at the Vatican while calling on humanity to collaborate in building a new world that is more equitable and sustainable. Colleen also discusses the visionary life of Madeleine Delbrêl, “the French Dorothy Day,” as she is sometimes described. Colleen is currently working on a biography of the 20th century French activist, poet, mystic and visionary of lay leadership in the Catholic Church whom she describes as “the saint for Jesuitical listeners.” We treasure the community you all have helped to build on Jesuitical’s Facebook page. Don’t hesitate to share your experience during this difficult moment in the life of our church and the world. We cannot make this show or grow this community without your support. Please consider giving through Patreon. And thank you. Links from the show: Subscribe to “Inside the Vatican” on Spotify, Apple, Google Articles by Colleen Dulle:Who is Madeleine Delbrêl—the “French Dorothy Day” Pope Francis made venerable this weekend? Subway mysticism: How Madeleine Delbrêl transformed my commute Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For teens struggling with substance abuse and addiction, the typical pressures of high school can spill over into the realm of disastrous. Recovery high schools—with smaller class sizes, counseling and sober social activities—are designed to support students in recovery. The first recovery high school opened in 1979; today there are over 40 nationwide. But before Kolbe Academy, which opened last year in Bethlehem, Pa., none of the recovery schools were Catholic. This week we chat with the school’s (Jesuit-educated) founding principal, John Petruzzelli, about what makes Kolbe Academy unique and why he thinks it’s important for the church to be involved in supporting students in recovery. In Signs of the Times, we talk about Ashley’s feature article on Wyoming Catholic College and look at how Covid-19 has affected men and women religious and other vulnerable elderly populations. As always, thanks for listening and supporting our show. We’ll see you soon. Links from the show: Kolbe Academy A visit to the rural Catholic college that has 171 students, 12 horses and zero textbooks Supreme Court tackles clash of Catholic schools, ex-teachers SOAR! What’s on tap? Water, carbonated (Ashley) and not (Zac). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In every age there are a small number of Catholics who intentionally isolate themselves from society to serve God and the church through lives of “prayer and labor.”. They’re called monks. Gregory Hillis, an associate professor of theology at Bellarmine University in Louisville, Ky., knows one community of monks particularly well: the Cistercian monks at the Abbey of Gethsemani. In a recent essay for America, he shares some wisdom from the monks for living in solitude during a time of pandemic. Greg joins Ashley, Zac and Vivian in this bonus episode to explore the rigorous yet transforming practices of monastic life, the power of silence and letting go of a false sense of control over our lives. They also discuss the most famous monk of Gethsemani Abbey, the writer and mystic Thomas Merton. We treasure the community you all have helped to build on Jesuitical’s Facebook page. Don’t hesitate to share your experience during this difficult moment in the life of our church and the world. We cannot make this show or grow this community without your support. Please consider giving through Patreon. And thank you. Links from the show: “We’re all monks now,” by Gregory Hillis Books by Thomas Merton referenced by Greg Hillis: "The Intimate Merton: His Life from His Journals" "New Seeds of Contemplation" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A 25-minute conversation between President Trump and hundreds of bishops and other Catholic leaders sparked an intense debate about the right way for Catholic leaders to engage in politics. While the conference call got a lot of attention, it is just one story among many affecting the church in the United States, and as the national correspondent for Crux, Chris White has to try to cover them all. We talk to Chris about how he broke the story of the conference call, what the church might look like after the coronavirus pandemic and how he understands the relationship between his identities as a “Catholic” and a “journalist.” In our weekly survey of Catholic news, we highlight the Franciscan spiritual master Richard Rohr’s cameo on “The Simpsons” and a study examining the efficacy of prayer on patients recovering from Covid-19. We also discuss the disproportionate effect that the coronavirus pandemic is having on black Americans. Links from the show:Richard Rohr on The Simpsons Clinical Study Considers The Power Of Prayer To Combat COVID-19 U.S. Bishop Chairmen Issue Statement Urging State and National Leaders to Examine African American Communities by COVID-19 Trump says he’s ‘best president in history of the Church’ in call with Catholic leaders Chris White on Twitter What’s on tap? Margaritas (kind of) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When the Covid-19 pandemic quarantined America’s editor at large, James Martin, S.J., he felt he had to offer some spiritual solace to people struggling with fear, isolation and uncertainty. So, he logged onto Facebook from his room in the America House Jesuit community and went live. Father Martin’s daily “faith sharings,” as he calls them, reach tens of thousands of people around the world who are cooped up at home because of the pandemic. They include Scripture readings and his personal reflections, scholarly commentary and live Q&A, including prayer requests. “Most of it is fun and upbeat. But in the comments from time to time you’ll see, ‘My father just died of coronavirus,’” Father Martin says. “It’s a sad time for so many people, but they’re desiring a sense of community, and that’s why so many people have tuned in.” Ashley, Zac and Vivian discuss with Father Martin how to pray in quarantine and what life is like in a small Jesuit community in Midtown Manhattan. We treasure the community you all have helped to build on Jesuitical’s Facebook page. Don’t hesitate to share your experience during this difficult moment in the life of our church and the world. We cannot make this show or grow this community without your support. Please consider giving through Patreon. And thank you. Links from the show: Daily faith sharing with James Martin, S.J. James Martin's weekly newsletter “The Examen”, a podcast for daily prayer hosted by James Martin, S.J. “Jesus, A Pilgrimage” by James Martin, S.J. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Father Michael Trail had administered the anointing of the sick many times in his first three years as a priest in the Archdiocese of Chicago. Usually, he would sit at the bedside and hold the hand of a person nearing death while family and other loved ones gathered around to pray and say goodbye. In the time of the coronavirus pandemic, the essentials of the sacrament are the same but it looks very different. As part of the archdiocese’s task force of “priest-anointers” ministering to Covid-19 patients, Father Michael must now wear a gown, mask and gloves while administering the sacrament. There is no hand-holding, and no family members are allowed in the room. We ask Father Michael about the spiritual and emotional toll of ministering to patients and families in these difficult circumstances and how he thinks about the growing calls to reopen society given the suffering he has seen up close. In Signs of the Times, we discuss the meeting between President Trump and Catholic bishops and education leaders. Plus, a look at the annual survey of the priestly class of 2020 and how the coronavirus is affecting those without stable housing. We treasure the community you all have helped to build on Jesuitical’s Facebook page. Don’t hesitate to share your experience during this difficult moment in the life of our church and the world. We cannot make this show or grow this community without your support. Please consider giving through Patreon. And thank you. Links from the show StoriesTrump says he’s ‘best president in history of the Church’ in call with Catholic leadersCARA study on new ordinands spots trends worth watchingSeminaries must hire, involve more women, Cardinal Ouellet saysWhat will happen to people who are homeless as Covid-19 crisis continues? How you can helpCatholic Charities USA National Alliance to End Homelessness What’s on tap?Miscellaneous brews from our understocked bars Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When the staff at America realized that Covid-19 could overrun the United States, the idea of drafting an original prayer was put on the table. The responsibility fell to executive editor Kerry Weber, who was experiencing more anxiety than most about the virus, especially on the train commuting into Manhattan from New Jersey. She is pregnant with her third child. “I got to take something that was, frankly, genuine fear and channel that into...a conversation that was between me and God.” That prayer has since been translated into multiple languages and made its way into the homes and hearts of hundreds of thousands of people. Today on the show, Kerry reveals the inspiration for the prayer and discusses the joys and anxieties of journeying through pregnancy during a global pandemic (something else she’s written about). We treasure the community you all have helped to build on Jesuitical’s Facebook page. Don’t hesitate to share your experience during this difficult moment in the life of our church and the world. We cannot make this show or grow this community without your support. Please consider giving through Patreon. And thank you. Links from the show: https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2020/03/02/coronavirus-prayer https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2020/04/09/hope-and-uncertainty-being-pregnant-during-coronavirus-pandemic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In late February, when the coronavirus still seemed like a far-off threat to many Americans, officials in West African nations began to prepare their public health response: They brought out thermometers, protective equipment and handwashing stations. When the first cases arrived in large cities, schools and airports were quickly closed. These nations did not have a large number of cases (and still don’t). What they do have is the fresh memory of the Ebola crisis that hit the region in 2014-16, taking over 11,000 lives and crippling already impoverished countries. This week, we talk with Jennifer Overton, the regional director for West Africa for Catholic Relief Services, which has decades of experience providing emergency health services in the region. We ask Jennifer what the United States can learn from the West African response, how the experience of Ebola changed the people of the most affected nations and what the role of the church is during the current pandemic. And in Signs of the Times: Ever wonder what a day in the life of the pope would be like? We discuss “Pope Simulator,” a computer game in development that lets you influence the course of world events soft papal power and “Bless units.” Next, a Catholic school uniform company is donating face masks made with that iconic Catholic plaid to health care workers. Finally, we introduce a new recurring segment, in which we take a deep dive into the different ways vulnerable populations are experiencing the coronavirus pandemic—and what we can do to help. This week, we cover the unique hardships faced by migrants in detention centers and abroad. Let us know what you thought about the show and where you found God this week on our Facebook page. We are committed to accompanying you all during these challenging times both through this podcast and the larger Jesuitical community. If you can support our work by becoming a member of our Patreon community, we would be most grateful. Links from the show Stories Pope Simulator promises a 'realistic' depiction of life as the Supreme Pontiff Catholic school uniform company now making, donating face masks As coronavirus spreads amid deportations, bishops call for protection of migrants Trump to Temporarily Halt Immigration Into the U.S. Amid Coronavirus Crisis Congolese archbishop highlights double challenge of Ebola and coronavirus Learn more and give Catholic Relief Services Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. Kino Border Initiative Hope Border Institute Catholic Charities USA Covid-19 Resource Center What’s on tap? “The real holy water” (a.k.a., Scotch) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In early March, Patrick Gilger, S.J., boarded a plane in New York en route to Milan. He was on a research trip and going to study Italian in the historic cosmopolitan city located in Italy’s northern Lombardy region. The cross-Atlantic flight had only 12 passengers on it. When he arrived, the city had just been shuttered. Italy was on the verge of a brutal month of suffering and death at the hands of Covid-19. Outside of his window, in the otherwise empty piazza below, a group of teenagers sat casually, drinking and singing. “It feels different here,” he wrote in America, “It is as if Milan, under quarantine, has asked me to renounce the particular version of our American response to fear that I have made my own: the unceasing effort to control, to master, to define and thereby dictate what is really real and truly true. And thereby be secure.” In this bonus episode, “Father Paddy” as he’s known on the popular YouTube series “Jesuit Autocomplete,” reflects on his experience living in an epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic, the humiliations (and humility!) that come with learning a new language and how his isolation has connected him to God and others. We treasure the community you all have helped to build on Jesuitical’s Facebook page. Don’t hesitate to share both the joys and challenges you experience during this difficult moment in the life of our church and the world. We cannot make this show or grow this community without your support. Please consider giving through Patreon. And thank you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amateur chefs and wanna-be bakers have a lot more time to spend in the kitchen thanks to stay-at-home measures meant to slow the spread to the coronavirus. And this week’s guest has some great tips for upping your recipe game. Brother Andrew Corriente is a Franciscan Capuchin friar and the winner of the latest season of “The Great American Baking Show: Holiday Edition.” Brother Andrew gives a behind-the-scenes look at the beloved reality show, tells us about the spiritual benefits of baking and shares what he’s been making for his Franciscan community under quarantine. In Signs of the Times, we discuss Pope Francis’ Easter call for a “universal basic wage” and his decision to form a new commission to study women deacons. Plus, stories about how priests are ministering in hospitals and prisons during the coronavirus pandemic. Today, April 17, is America magazine’s 111th anniversary! If “Jesuitical” has been a source of community or spiritual accompaniment for you, please consider supporting us on our giving day. You can become a part of our Patreon community to help with the cost of producing Jesuitical or make a donation to America Media here. We are committed to bringing you the Catholic news of the week, informative and meaningful interviews and even bonus episodes during these uncertain times. We cannot do the work we love without your support. Thank you. Links from the show In Easter message, Pope Francis proposes universal basic wage Pope Francis has set up a new commission to study women deacons Cadre of Chicago-area priests trained to minister to dying coronavirus patients Related: English bishops: To lower risks, chaplains shouldn't give last rites U.S. bishop says cellphones cannot be used to administer sacraments Canadian priest volunteers to be incarcerated rather than leave inmates What’s on tap?Prosecco. Christ is risen, and so are our glasses! What’s for dessert? Strawberry Chantilly! “I got the idea for a freeze-dried fruit Chantilly from Stella Parks of Serious Eats. I loved the idea and decided to play with the ratios and ended up with this recipe. Bright, sweet, and with a TON of strawberry flavor.” – Brother Andrew Corriente, O.F.M.Cap. 70 grams Freeze-dried Strawberries (Trader Joe’s brand) 100 grams Sugar 1/8 tsp Kosher Salt 675 grams Heavy Cream 1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract Combine strawberries, sugar, and salt in a food processor and blend for about one minute. Pour in heavy cream and extract and scrape the bottom of the processor with a rubber spatula to properly mix in everything. Process until it becomes very thick and creamy. Scrape and process again to get any stray pieces. Ensure everything is homogeneous. Serve. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s early in the morning. Mary Magdalene is going to visit the tomb of Jesus. What does she look like? How does she feel right now? You decide to go with her. Last week we spoke to Tucker Redding, S.J., a Jesuit in formation and a producer of “Jesuitical.” He just wrapped up a 10-episode podcast series called “Imagine: A Guide to Jesuit Prayer,” in which he guides the listener through a pivotal story in the life of Jesus as described in the four Gospels. Today, we bring you the final episode in the series, in which you, the listener, accompany Mary Magdalene as she makes her way to the tomb on Easter morning and unexpectedly encounters the risen Jesus. “Imagine” is an emotionally charged experience grounded in a tried method of prayer handed down by the Jesuits. Happy Easter from Ashley, Zac and Vivian! We treasure the community you all have helped to build on Jesuitical’s Facebook page. Don’t hesitate to share both the joys and challenges you experience during this difficult moment in the life of our church and the world. We cannot make this show or grow this community without your support. Please consider giving through Patreon. And thank you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Laura Fanucci was up in the middle of the night with her 5-week-old newborn when the words came to her: “When this is all over....” She wrote the poem on her phone and when she posted it on Instagram the next morning it caught fire. Politicians, celebrities, corporate brands and influencers shared her words with millions of people hungry to imagine what life will look like on the other side of the coronavirus pandemic. When she is not going viral, Laura is an author and mother of five who writes about parenting, grief and the sacramentality of everyday life. We ask her why she thinks her poem resonated with so many people, what her experience losing twin girls in a miscarriage taught her about processing and sharing our grief and how she is celebrating Holy Week in her very full house. In Signs of the Times, we discuss the acquittal of Cardinal George Pell on charges of sexual abuse. What are the implications of the high-profile case in Australia for the wider church? Next, we talk about Holy Week at home: what we are (and aren’t) doing to mark the death and resurrection of our Lord in a time of closed churches and social distancing. We want to see your modified Easter celebrations, too. Show and tell us what you’re doing this week over on our Facebook page. During these strange and difficult times, we are committed to accompanying you all through this podcast and the larger Jesuitical community. If you can support our work by becoming a member of our Patreon community, we would be most grateful. Thank you, and Happy Easter! Links from the show Australia’s high court overturns guilty verdict against Cardinal George Pell on final appeal Vatican responds with measure to Cardinal Pell’s acquittal and release from prison Easter Sunday Mass with America Media Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America Good Friday livestream “When This Is Over,” by Laura Fanucci Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is it like to walk with the disciples through a vivid scene from the Gospels? It is possible through a spiritual practice called Ignatian contemplation that the Jesuits have been doing for centuries. That’s why our guest for this week’s bonus episode is Tucker Redding, S.J. He is the creator and writer of a new podcast retreat from America Media called, “Imagine: A Guide to Jesuit Prayer.” There is no better time than Holy Week to try this enriching spiritual practice! You can find it in “The Word” podcast feed wherever you listen to podcasts. Plus, Assistant Editor Vivian Cabrera is back to co-host this bonus episode! It’s the “everything you wanted to know about Vivian” edition, including what she is reading and baking (sourdough bread) while living in self-quarantine. Now more than ever, we treasure the community you all have helped to build on Jesuitical’s Facebook page. Don’t hesitate to share both the joys and challenges you experience during this difficult moment in the life of our church. We cannot make this show or grow this community without your support. Please consider giving through Patreon. And thank you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s not really fair or responsible to draw comparisons between the Black Plague and our current coronavirus pandemic. Our situation pales in comparison to 50 million deaths, or roughly 50% of Europe’s population alone in the mid-14th century. But what was true then is true now: The Catholic Church needed to change the way that it normally operated. And, as usual, history can be an illuminating teacher. Winston Black is a professor and medieval historian who focuses on the intersection of medicine and religion in the Middle Ages. We ask him to describe just how severe the Black Plague was, the church’s pastoral response and lessons the church can learn today. As we mentioned on the show, Jesuitical is going to try to increase our production during this time. That means you can expect more than one episode a week in your podcast feeds. You can listen to our first bonus conversation, featuring Matt Malone, S.J., president and editor in chief of America (a.k.a. our boss), now. We talk about developing a new appreciation for the Eucharist and what real political leadership looks like in this crisis. You can also connect with the show in our Facebook group, where members of the community are planning a Zoom meetup for other Jesuitical listeners. Please pray for us, and know that we are praying for you. Links from the show: Signs of the Times: Read: Pope Francis’ Urbi et Orbi address on coronavirus and Jesus calming the storm Podcast: Inside Pope Francis’ unprecedented Urbi et Orbi blessing for the end of coronavirus Site crashes as half million-plus watch England’s rededication to MaryCoronavirus forces Jerusalem's Holy Sepulchre to close its doors for first time since 1349: 'Very sad'For Shut-In Pilgrims, the World’s Holiest Sites Are a Click AwayCatholic leaders praise Colorado's repeal of death penalty Books by Dr. Black: Medicine and Healing in the Premodern West: A History in Documents The Middle Ages: Facts and Fictions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Running a Catholic media organization during a pandemic.Developing a new appreciation for the Eucharist from quarantine.What real political leadership should look like in a time of crisis. Matt Malone, S.J., the editor in chief of America Media (a.k.a. our boss), is the guest for this first bonus episode of Jesuitical during the coronavirus pandemic. We talk with him about running a media ministry in these unsettling times and how his role as a priest has changed since the suspension of public Masses. We also ask Father Malone what it’s like to live in quarantine with 13 other Jesuits and discuss the Jesuit roots of Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Lucky for us, Father Malone brings a special dispensation from our Lenten fast from alcohol! Cheers from away! Plus, Assistant Editor Vivian Cabrera (who sits between Zac and Ashley in the office keeping the peace) helps cohost the conversation. Welcome Vivian! Now more than ever, we treasure the community you all have helped to build on Jesuitical’s Facebook page. Don’t hesitate to share both the joys and challenges you experience during this difficult moment in the life of our church. We cannot make this show or grow this community without your support. Please consider giving through Patreon. And thank you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

No priest becomes a bishop imagining he will one day tell his people not to come to Mass. But across the United States and much of the world, bishops have had to make the heartrending decision to shutter their churches and cancel the public celebration of the Mass and other sacraments. This week, we speak with Bishop John Stowe of Lexington, Ky., about how his ministry has changed amid the coronavirus pandemic. We ask how people in his diocese responded to his decision to suspend public Masses, the creative ways his priests are ministering to their parish communities and what he would want to say to Catholics who are struggling with their faith in this time of sorrow, fear and uncertainty. On Signs of the Times, Kathleen McChesney, advocate for victims of clergy sex abuse, receives one of the U.S. church’s most prestigious awards. Plus we discuss the closure of a historic Catholic newspaper and the devastating effect of the coronavirus pandemic on parishes’ finance as well as the people who work for and are served by the local church. Finally, the creative ways priests are bringing the sacraments to their flock—and how the rest of us are keeping the faith alive at home. Now more than ever, we treasure the community you all have helped to build on Jesuitical’s Facebook page. Don’t hesitate to share both the joys and challenges you experience during this difficult moment in the life of our church. We cannot make this show or grow this community without your support. Please consider giving through Patreon. And thank you. Links from the show Kathleen McChesney, advocate for abuse victims, to receive Laetare Medal Pittsburgh Catholic newspaper terminates all employees, comes as 'a shock' to staff With Masses suspended, parishes face collection shortfalls and perilous finances Indianapolis Archdiocese shuts down drive-thru confessions What’s on tap?Hand sanitizer. Lots of hand sanitizer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices