Jesuitical

By: America Media
  • Summary

  • Welcome to Jesuitical, a podcast for young Catholics hosted by two young, lay editors at America—Zac Davis and Ashley McKinless. Each episode features a guest who offers a unique perspective on faith, culture or current events. We also bring you some of the top (and maybe more obscure) Catholic news of the week. And we'll ask: Where do we find God in all this?
    Copyright © 2025 America Media. All rights reserved.
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Episodes
  • Could the plot twist in “Conclave” actually happen?
    Dec 20 2024
    On “Jesuitical” this week, Zac and Ashley chat with Colleen Dulle, an associate editor at America and co-host of the “Inside the Vatican” podcast, about how realistically the new film “Conclave” portrays the process of selecting a new pope. They praise the film’s historical accuracy but raise eyebrows over the complex theological implications around the film’s twist ending. Warning: This episode contains major spoilers. Zac, Ashley and Colleen discuss: - The challenges of translating the complexities of the Catholic Church to a mainstream audience through a cinematic lens - Varying reactions to “Conclave” from Catholics, including Bishop Robert Barron’s critique of the film - The role and representation of women, including nuns, in the Catholic Church as depicted in the film In Signs of the Times, Zac, Ashley and Colleen discuss Pope Francis’ new autobiography Hope, which reveals two assassination attempts on his life during his trip to Iraq in 2021; and a recent liturgical debate sparked by Cardinal Blase Cupich’s guidance to parishioners in the Archdiocese of Chicago that discouraged kneeling to receive Communion. Links for further reading: ‘Conclave’ explainer: Could that twist ending really happen? Your Take: Is ‘Conclave’ worth seeing for Catholics? ‘Conclave’ hits theaters. What really happens when a new pope is elected? Pope Francis reveals he survived two assassination attempts during visit to Iraq Hope: The Autobiography by Pope Francis Should you stand or kneel to receive communion? Cardinal Cupich stirs debate after weighing in What’s on tap? French 75s You can follow us on X and on Instagram @jesuiticalshow. You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/jesuitical. Please consider supporting Jesuitical by becoming a digital subscriber to America Media at americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    46 mins
  • How a modern-day shepherd found God on his Irish family farm
    Dec 13 2024
    On this week’s episode of “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley interview bestselling Irish author John Connell on how embracing the farm life preserved by his family for generations brought him closer to God and greater inner peace. John’s new book, The Lambing Season, explores the rhythms and realities of raising livestock, as well as the profound spiritual guidance John gleaned from a simple flock of sheep. Zac, Ashley and John discuss: - How John’s spiritual awakening on a Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in Spain led to his transformation from journalist and world traveler to shepherd on his family’s farm - John’s discovery of the spiritual and therapeutic power of lambing season in Ireland - The contrast and balance between rural and urban life, and the need for citydwellers to “make appointments with nature” In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris after a fire in 2019, Pope Francis’ latest consistory that created 21 new cardinals on Saturday, Dec. 7, and how the Loyola Chicago Ramblers recovered after (seemingly) snubbing their very own Sister Jean from a celebratory fist bump after their win against Eastern Michigan. Links for further reading: The Lambing Season: Stories of Life on an Irish Family Farm The Cow Book: A Story of Life on an Irish Family Farm Pomp and presidents at the reopening of Notre Dame in Paris Podcast: Pope Francis creates 21 cardinals, calls for an end to U.S. death penalty Read: Pope Francis’ homily and message to new cardinals A busy weekend for Pope Francis: The Immaculate Conception, a consistory and prayers for death row inmates in the United States You can follow us on X and on Instagram @jesuiticalshow. You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/jesuitical. Please consider supporting Jesuitical by becoming a digital subscriber to America Media at americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    52 mins
  • The Catholic women bringing veiling back to Mass
    Dec 6 2024
    On this week’s episode of “Jesuitical,” Ashley and Zac are joined by Madeleine Kearns, an associate editor at The Free Press, and the author of a recently reported article, “The Young Catholic Women Bringing Back Veils.” Maddy shares how the veil boom evokes a “lost type of Catholicism” that satisfies the desire for reverence challenged by the reforms of Vatican II. They discuss: - The motivations of young women who veil—from personal expressions of piety and nostalgia to political posturing - Whether individual practices of worship impact communal worship in the church - How young people engage with the “sacred space” of Mass today In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss a Brooklyn priest wrapped up in scandals involving a federal corruption investigation, New York City’s Mayor Eric Adams and pop star Sabrina Carpenter. Plus: Environmentalists in Italy try (and fail) to stop Pope Francis from cutting down a Christmas tree to decorate St. Peter’s Square. Links for further reading: The Young Catholic Women Bringing Back Veils NYC priest who allowed Sabrina Carpenter to shoot a music video in church further stripped of duties The Priest, the Power Broker and the Pop Star Local group protests cutting down 200-year-old tree for Vatican’s Christmas You can follow us on X and on Instagram @jesuiticalshow. You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/jesuitical. Please consider supporting Jesuitical by becoming a digital subscriber to America Media at americamagazine.org/subscribe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    54 mins

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