Jesuitical

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CHRISTIANITY
UPDATED WEEKLY

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?

9 HR AGO

The Black Masking Indians of Mardi Gras

This week on a pre-Mardi Gras episode “Jesuitical,” Ashley and guest host Sebastian speak with Dr. Ansel Augustine. Ansel is the assistant director for African American affairs for the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the author of Praying with Our Feet: Encountering God in the Margins. They discuss the harrowing and sacred culture of the Black Masking Indians of Mardi Gras. 0:00 Mardi Gras! 4:00 New York City has a new bishop 10:17 Archbishop Fulton Sheen to be beatified 11:44 Catholic leaders respond to racist post 13:50 Villanova and Notre Dame bball in Rome! 15:14 History of Black masking culture 21:24 African Americans made Catholicism their own 24:02 Mardi Gras as sacred ritual 27:00 Tribal competition 29:10 Black and Indian cultural encounter 31:30 Hurricane Katrina is an open wound 34:04 The art of feasting 37:32 Diversity ministry is a challenge 45:24 Lenten resources and practices for 2026! Links for further reading: CRS Rice Bowl Website Development and Peace – Caritas Canada Solidarity Calendar 2026 101 Things To Give Up For Lent On Mardi Gras, Catholics should celebrate the faith and resilience of the New Orleans Black Masking Indians 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

50 min
4 DAYS AGO · BONUS

Minneapolis Catholic Bishop on ICE, immigration and human dignity

Bishop Kevin Kenney was born in Minneapolis and has ministered to Latino communities there for years. Now an auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, he speaks to America about the realities facing Latino Catholics on the ground and what the Catholic Church is doing to support them. 0:00 ICE outside churches and schools 4:45 How the Catholic Church is responding 10:00 Targeting criminals only? 11:45 Preaching during the crisis 15:12 Ministering to ICE 16:45 Latinos have enriched Minneapolis 18:53 Longterm effects 23:45 Pope Leo and prioritizing immigration 34:00 What Bishop Kenney is praying for Links for further reading: ⁠Twin Cities pastors preach on the killing of Alex Pretti: ‘We are walking in darkness and living in fear’ ⁠ ⁠I’m a Minnesota Catholic mom. Here’s what my neighbors are saying about ICE⁠ ⁠No more funding for ICE without reform. Congress must act⁠ ⁠Bishop Tyson: Not all are called to be martyrs like Alex Pretti. But we can be witnesses⁠ Minnesota Catholic Relief Fund Support Jesuitical by ⁠becoming ⁠a subscriber to America Magazine⁠⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

37 min
6 FEB

Prayer in sports: healthy spirituality or superstition?

This week on “Jesuitical,” Ashley and guest host Sebastian sit down with Patrick Kelly, S.J. Father Pat holds the Heider Chair at Creighton University and is an expert in the theology of Sports. Then, in a special faith sharing segment, the hosts speak with Patrick Hyde, O.P., a Dominican priest and the pastor of St. Paul Catholic Center at Indiana University, about recent Heisman Trophy winner, Fernando Mendoza. Fernando, the quarterback of the IU football team, has been outspoken about his Catholic faith and is a frequent attendee of masses at St. Paul Center. 0:00 Olympics or Super Bowl? 5:40 Sports and the Vatican 9:02 Playing sports vs. the spiritual life 14:50 Why athletes praise God 20:20 Sports and superstition 32:30 Sports, society and polarization 39:31 Being Catholic at Indiana U 45:00 Ministering to Fernando Mendoza 52:12 Healthy (and unhealthy) fandom Links for further reading: Father Pat’s book, “Play, Sport and Spirit” These Olympic athletes are leaning on Christian faith going into the Winter Games Pope Leo adds feast day of St. John Henry Newman to universal calendar Pope Leo, Archbishop Coakley urge renewal of last US-Russia nuclear treaty 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

57 min
30 JAN

David French on Christianity and the MAGA movement

This week on a special episode of “Jesuitical,” Ashley and Sam Sawyer, S.J., president and editor in chief of America, have a conversation with David French, political commentator and opinion columnist at The New York Times, about the complex relationship between Christianity and politics during the Trump administration. Ashley, Father Sawyer and David discuss: - David’s journey as a never-Trump evangelical Christian - The future identity of Christianity in the United States - How Christians should respond to events like the killings in Minneapolis Links for further reading: A Christian Answer to Trump and Trumpism Is Finally Here Trump Is No Longer the Most Important American David’s Podcast: “Advisory Opinions” Twin Cities pastors preach on the killing of Alex Pretti: ‘We are walking in darkness and living in fear’ 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

57 min
23 JAN

Euthanasia isn't (and shouldn’t be) a partisan issue

This week on “Jesuitical,” Ashley and guest host Sebastian speak to Charles Camosy. Charlie teaches moral theology and bioethics at the Catholic University of America and is the author of 10 books, including Living and Dying Well: A Catholic Plan for Resisting Physician-Assisted Killing. Ashley, Sebastian and Charlie discuss: - How opposition to euthanasia transcends typical partisan camps - The disability advocates on the frontlines in the fight against euthanasia - The importance of learning to live well in order to die well In Signs of the Times, Charlie speaks to the pro-life movement’s response to the second Trump administration and the March for Life in Washington, D.C. If you are having thoughts of suicide, dial 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You can find more resources from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention here. Links for further reading: Order Charlie’s book: Living and Dying Well: A Catholic Plan for Resisting Physician-Assisted Killing Ahead of March for Life, pro-life movement faces key political challenges Pro-life groups push back after Trump tells House GOP to be ‘flexible’ on taxpayer-funded abortions Canada’s euthanasia regime: How many more will die in the name of ‘compassion’? Vatican reaffirms, clarifies church teachings on end-of-life care 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

1h 12m
16 JAN

Pope Leo and Pope Francis: the similarities—and differences

This week on “Jesuitical,” Ashley and guest host Sebastian speak with Vatican expert Thomas Reese, S.J., a Jesuit priest who is a senior analyst at Religion News Service and former editor in chief of America magazine. Ashley, Sebastian and Father Reese discuss: - The big takeaways from Pope Leo’s first consistory - 101 on the recent history of the College of Cardinals - Whether Leo is continuing on the synodal path set by Pope Francis In Signs of the Times, Ashley and Sebastian discuss Catholic reactions from Minnesota a week after the shooting death of Renee Good by an ICE officer. They also unpack the Vatican’s diplomatic involvement in Venezuela and the meeting between the new U.S.C.C.B. president, Archbishop Paul Coakley, and President Trump at the White House. Finally, the hosts explain the history and significance of Pope Leo’s new papal staff. Links for further reading: - Read more from Father Reese at RNS - Pope Leo says he will hold consistories with the College of Cardinals every year - Pope Leo XIV’s papacy began today - Pope Leo meets with Venezuelan opposition leader Machado - Trump meets with US bishops’ president at White House - Baptizing the lie about ICE and the killing of Renee Nicole Good - Leo’s new papal staff highlights Christ’s victory over death 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

56 min
9 JAN

Spiritual advice you don't want to miss for 2026!

This week on “Jesuitical,” Ashley and guest host Sebastian sit down with Eric Sundrup, S.J., a Jesuit priest who is the vice president for mission and ministry and university chaplain at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. Father Eric has also worked on “Jesuitical” since its inception (in 2017!) in a variety of roles; today, he continues to provide faith formation for the team. Ashley, Sebastian and Father Eric discuss: - What spiritual practices “worked” for them in 2025—and what they want to leave behind - How to approach Mass with fresh eyes and ears in the new year - Why you shouldn’t beat yourself up about not meeting your prayer goals In Signs of the Times, Ashley and Sebastian discuss the conclusion of the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope and the next phase of Pope Leo’s pontificate. They unpack Catholic reactions to the capture of Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro and his wife by U.S. forces and the recent news of Israel banning 37 humanitarian groups, including a Catholic aid group, from operating in Gaza. Finally, Sebastian and Ashley talk about supposed divine intervention on the football field during last weekend’s Pittsburgh Steelers-Baltimore Ravens game. Links for further reading: - Pope Leo says he will hold consistories with the College of Cardinals every year - Pope Leo XIV closes 2025 Holy Year with critique of consumerism and xenophobia - Pope Leo XIV’s papacy began today - Pope Leo’s first Extraordinary Consistory: What should we expect? - Venezuela, Trump and the end of ‘Pax Americana’ - Inside Venezuela’s capital after Trump administration captures Maduro - Pope Leo: ‘The good of the beloved Venezuelan people must prevail over every other consideration.’ 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

58 min
19/12/2025

Baby Saint names and the best pilgrimage sites: Your questions for Jesuitical, answered.

Who’s the best TV priest? Should you name your kid after a saint? And what pilgrimage sites are on our bucket list? These are just a few of the questions Zac, Ashley and “Jesuitical” producer Sebastian Gomes tackle in our end-of-year mailbag episode! Thanks to all the listeners who sent in questions for the hosts—we love hearing what’s on your minds. So don’t hesitate to reach out to jesuitical@americamedia.org or on our Facebook page to let us know what you’d like us to discuss on the show. Merry Christmas, and we’ll see you in 2026! What’s on tap? Syrah from the Northern Rhone Valley 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

55 min

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Ashley McKinless

Host
Zac Davis

Host

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?