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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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