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:
Father Pat’s book, “Play, Sport and Spirit”: https://www.paulistpress.com/Products/5644-3/play-sport-and-spirit.aspx
These Olympic athletes are leaning on Christian faith going into the Winter Games: https://www.americamagazine.org/news/2026/02/05/olympic-athletes-faith-winter-games-2026
Pope Leo adds feast day of St. John Henry Newman to universal calendar: https://www.americamagazine.org/news/2026/02/03/john-henry-newman-feast-day
Pope Leo, Archbishop Coakley urge renewal of last US-Russia nuclear treaty: https://www.americamagazine.org/news/2026/02/04/pope-leo-bishops-us-russia-nuclear-treaty

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