Jesuitical

5.0 (2)
CHRISTIANITY
EVERY TWO WEEKS

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?

11 HR AGO

Pope Leo’s first Holy Week and Easter in a world at war

This week on a special crossover episode of “Jesuitical,” Ashley and Colleen Dulle, host of the “Inside the Vatican” podcast, speak with Gerard O’Connell, America’s senior Vatican correspondent, and his wife Elisabetta Piqué about co-writing The Election of Pope Leo XIV: The Last Surprise of Pope Francis. In “Signs of the Times,” Ashley and guest host Sebastian break down Pope Leo’s first Holy Week and how it was shaped by the conflict between the United States and Iran. They also discuss astronaut Victor Glover, the pilot of the Artemis II mission, and his Easter message from space. Finally, in “As One Friend Speaks to Another,” Ashley and Sebastian talk about how the death and resurrection of Christ can help us understand and live through the extremes of this past week’s news—the threat of Iran’s total destruction and the new heights reached by humanity in space. Links: The Election of Pope Leo XIV: The Last Surprise of Pope Francis, by Gerard O’Connell and Elisabetta Pique Excerpt: Behind the scenes of Pope Leo XIV’s election Pope Leo praises U.S.-Iran ceasefire as ‘sign of genuine hope,’ presses for peace Pope Leo: Trump’s threat to destroy Iran ‘truly unacceptable’ What photos from the Artemis II astronauts say to us in a time of war Artemis astronaut: Moon mission inspires wonder, prayer and unity You can follow us on X and on Instagram @jesuiticalshow. You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/jesuitical. Please consider supporting “Jesuitical” by becoming a digital subscriber to America magazine at americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1hr 6min
2 APR

Catholic women react to the Vatican’s report on women’s leadership

In March 2026, the Vatican’s doctrine office released its final report on women’s participation in the life and leadership of the Catholic Church. The report brings to a close the two-year work of Study Group 5, which, as part of the Synod on Synodality, was tasked with studying women’s ministries and leadership. In this special roundtable conversation, editors at America magazine discuss the report’s content and proposals, and ask if the document changes the status quo for women in the Catholic Church. Featuring: Ashley McKinless, executive editor and co-host of the “Jesuitical” podcast Kerry Weber, executive editor Colleen Dulle, Vatican correspondent and co-host of the “Inside the Vatican” podcast Molly Cahill, associate editor 0:00 The Vatican’s final report on women and ministry 4:23 Women’s reactions to the report 11:28 New ministries for women? 20:05 The horizons and limits of women’s authority 30:30 Will women be involved in decision-making? Links: ⁠The final synod report on women: what it says, what it means and what’s next⁠ ⁠Where the women deacons question stands at the Vatican⁠ ⁠Full Report of Study Group 5 on “The Participation of Women in the Life and Leadership of the Church⁠” Please consider supporting Jesuitical by becoming a digital subscriber to America magazine at ⁠americamagazine.org/subscribe⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

41 min
26 MAR

Bishop Michael Martin on making disciples, Charlotte’s growth and liturgy debates

This week on “Jesuitical,” Ashley and Zac speak with Bishop Michael Martin, O.F.M. Conv., of the Diocese of Charlotte. Bishop Martin sparked headlines in 2025 when a document leaked with plans to restrict the Latin Mass and other liturgical practices in his diocese. Ashley, Zac and Bishop Martin discuss: - His pastoral priorities as bishop of Charlotte - Changes to the celebration of the Latin Mass in his diocese - How he approaches his outspoken critics within his community—and online In “Signs of the Times,” Ashley and Zac discuss the recent sexual abuse allegations against Cesar Chavez; Pope Leo’s call for bishops to come to Rome for a meeting on the family in October 2026; and a Belgian bishop who said he will “make every effort” to ordain married men as priests by the year 2028. Finally, in light of Easter coming up, Zac and Ashley talk about the pope’s favorite candy, Peeps! Finally, in “As One Friend Speaks to Another,” Ashley talks about her experience inadvertently unplugging on a recent trip and the spiritual freedom found from it. Links for further reading: How the cover-up of Cesar Chavez’s abuse mirrored the clergy sex abuse crisis What you need to know about Pope Leo’s October meeting on marriage and family Belgian bishop says he will ‘make every effort’ to ordain married men by 2028 You can follow us on X and on Instagram @jesuiticalshow. You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/jesuitical. Please consider supporting Jesuitical by becoming a digital subscriber to America magazine at americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1hr 12min
19 MAR

How to walk the mystical path (Hint: you’re already on it)

This week on a special episode of “Jesuitical,” Ashley, Zac and Jesuitical producer Sebastian have a conversation with Dr. James Finley about first-half-of-life mysticism. Jim is a clinical psychologist and faculty member at the Center for Action and Contemplation where he teaches and writes on the Christian mystical tradition. He’s also the host of the podcast, ‘Turning to the Mystics.’ 0:00 A special episode on mysticism 3:00 How Jim Finley discovered monasteries 12:00 An introduction to interior prayer 22:48 Where to start 24:30 How to stay patient 28:40 When life gets busy 34:48 Cultivating silence in your life 39:50 Finding God in trauma 41:45 Trusting your own experiences of God 48:00 Is God really inside of us? 51:00 Where mysticism and formal religion intersect 56:15 Does mystical experience relativize religion? Links for further reading: Jim’s podcast, “Turning to the Mystics with James Finley” The Center for Action and Contemplation Merton's Palace of Nowhere The Healing Path: A Memoir and an Invitation You can follow us on X and on Instagram @jesuiticalshow. You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/jesuitical. Please consider supporting Jesuitical by becoming a digital subscriber to America magazine at americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1hr 8min
12 MAR

U.S. culture has a contempt problem

This week on “Jesuitical,” Ashley and Zac speak with Timothy Shriver, chairman of Special Olympics and founder of the nonprofit UNITE, which incubated the Dignity Index, a language evaluation tool that aims to bring greater dignity to our public discourse. 0:00 Welcome back Zac Davis! 2:35 A new papal nuncio to the U.S.A. 6:27 Cardinals respond to Iran war 9:04 Synod report on women released 10:27 Tim Shriver's holy family 13:04 What is the dignity index? 18:57 Contempt is the problem 24:00 What's your dignity score? 30:52 What dignity really means 38:20 Responding to contempt with dignity 46:00 How to do it 51:48 Is the Catholic Church a model? 54:32 Influence of Pope Leo XIV 58:50 Updates and faith sharing Links for further reading: Pope Leo appoints Archbishop Caccia as nuncio to the United States Iran’s Cardinal Mathieu evacuated to Rome Pope Leo expresses ‘deep sorrow’ for Lebanese Maronite Catholic priest killed by Israeli tank fire Final synod report on women’s leadership does not address female diaconate The Dignity Index Need a Lift? With Tim Shriver You can follow us on X and on Instagram @jesuiticalshow. You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/jesuitical. Please consider supporting “Jesuitical” by becoming a digital subscriber to America magazine at americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1hr 7min
6 MAR

Just or unjust? Catholics respond to the Iran war

This week on “Jesuitical,” Ashley sits down with America’s chief correspondent, Kevin Clarke, to discuss the widening conflict with Iran and whether the U.S. intervention in the conflict can be justified under just war theory. Then, we re-share one of our favorite interviews from last year: a conversation with Jamie Baxter, the founder & C.E.O. of Exodus 90. The program, which helps men to strengthen their faith through prayer, asceticism and fraternity, faced some early skepticism from some in the church—and the “Jesuitical” team—that gave way to greater understanding and valuable innovation. Links for further reading: Against Unjust and Unjustified War with Iran I regret supporting the Iraq War. We shouldn’t repeat our mistakes in Iran now. Cardinal Parolin on Iran war: ‘The force of law has been replaced by the law of force’ Lebanese archbishop: Innocents are ‘paying the price’ of Middle East war Pope Leo urges a halt to ‘spiral of violence’ across Iran and Middle East Sorrow, shock for Catholics in Middle East as US and Israel strike Iran amid negotiations You can follow us on X and on Instagram @jesuiticalshow. You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/jesuitical. Please consider supporting “Jesuitical” by becoming a digital subscriber to America magazine at americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1hr 15min
27 FEB

Father James Martin on the summer jobs that shaped him

This week on a special, interview-only episode of “Jesuitical,” Ashley and guest host Sebastian talk with James Martin, S.J., editor at large for America, about his new memoir Work in Progress: Confessions of a busboy, dishwasher, caddy, usher, factory worker, bank teller, corporate tool, and priest. Ashley, Sebastian and Father Jim discuss: The differences in writing an autobiography vs. a book on prayer Balancing ambition and meaning Jim’s eventual decision to choose a life and career in the Jesuits Links for further reading: Buy Father Jim’s book here Father James Martin: Lessons from mowing lawns, riding bikes and a fateful walk to school Check out the book’s Spotify playlist here You can follow us on X and on Instagram @jesuiticalshow. You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/jesuitical. Please consider supporting Jesuitical by becoming a digital subscriber to America magazine at americamagazine.org/subscribe Timecodes 0:00 Jim Martin has a new book: “Work in Progress” 2:13 Why Jim decided to write an autobiography on his jobs 8:19 The importance of menial labor and service 11:45 Getting free of our desire to be liked and popular 16:36 How Jim learned to distinguish ambition v. meaning 21:14 The impact of Thomas Merton on Jim’s spiritual life 25:30 Jim’s first mystical experience in the beauty of nature 35:36 Called to the Jesuits 42:15 Jim would canonize Fr. Greg Boyle, S.J. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

46 min
20 FEB

When your son becomes a priest—and you’re not so sure about the Catholic Church

This week on “Jesuitical,” Ashley and guest host Sebastian sit down with Kristen Gilger, author of My Son, The Priest: A Mother’s Crisis of Faith and her son, Patrick Gilger, S.J., to discuss their interwoven journeys of faith. 0:00 Critiquing our ashes 3:00 Pope Leo's first Ash Wednesday 4:35 Vatican won't join "Board of Peace" 5:50 St. Peter's has a new snack bar! 8:10 Kristin's shock when Paddy joined the Jesuits 16:58 The challenges of poverty, chastity and obedience 22:00 Giving up marriage and a family 34:45 Cafeteria Catholicism 38:35 Reconciliation without agreement 45:10 Being open to change 50:22 Catholicism's lingering appeal 1:04:25 Faith sharing: love your enemies Links for further reading: My son became a priest. I still felt conflicted about God and religion. Buy Kristen’s Book: My Son, The Priest: A Mother’s Crisis of Faith Pope Leo on Ash Wednesday: It’s ‘rare to find adults who repent’ Vatican will not join Trump’s ‘Board of Peace’ for Gaza, Cardinal Parolin says Vatican expands visitor experience at St. Peter’s Basilica to mark 400th anniversary You can follow us on X and on Instagram @jesuiticalshow. You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/jesuitical. Please consider supporting Jesuitical by becoming a digital subscriber to America magazine at americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1hr 10min

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Ashley McKinless

Host
Zac Davis

Host

5

out of 5

2 Ratings

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?