Jesuitical

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

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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’

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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

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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

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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.’

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