The story of the first quadriplegic Catholic priest on the road to sainthood

Jesuitical

America Media

Spirituality, Christianity, News, News Commentary, Religion & Spirituality

4.8 • 949 Ratings

🗓️ 6 June 2025

⏱️ 64 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley share a live interview recorded at 6ABC studios in Philadelphia, Pa., featuring prior provincial of the Province of St. Thomas of Villanova, Robert Hagan, O.S.A. Father Rob discusses the case for the canonization of Bill Atkinson, O.S.A., an Augustinan friar who was the first quadriplegic ordained in the Catholic Church and whose life—according to Father Rob—was a miracle. Zac, Ashley and Father Rob discuss: Father Rob’s vocation story and why Father Bill inspired him to become an Augustinian priest How Father Bill’s radical dependence on others and unwavering faith in the midst of great suffering inspired those around him The case for Father Bill’s canonization In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley unpack recent backlash against the Charlotte diocese for a leaked draft on liturgical norms amid traditional Latin Mass restrictions; The Catholic University of America in Washington’s two new degrees in artificial intelligence; and Pope Leo and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin’s first phone call. BE PART OF THE FIRST-EVER JESUITICAL RETREAT! Join us at the studio and headquarters of America Media in New York City for two days of community, prayer and sharing stories of faith. Get a behind-the-scenes look at how we make the podcast, meet fellow young Catholics, pray with America staff and editor in chief Sam Sawyer, S.J., share meals and craft your own faith story with accompaniment from our team. Sign up here! We can’t wait to meet you. Jesuitical Young Adult Retreat: What’s Your Story? Open to ages 21-39 Friday, June 27th (evening) + Saturday, June 28th (all day) New York, NY Friday: America Media Office – 1212 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036 Saturday: Jesuits USA East Province – 39 E 83rd St, New York, NY 10028 Cost: $100 Housing: Participants are responsible for their own lodging in NYC Capacity: The retreat will be capped at 30 participants. First come, first served. Links for further reading: Jesuitical Storytelling Retreat Who is Fr. Bill Atkinson? Meet Fr. Bill Atkinson, OSA–the first quadriplegic Catholic priest Green Bananas: The Wisdom of Father Bill Atkinson Charlotte diocese faces backlash for leaked draft on liturgical norms amid traditional Latin Mass restrictions Catholic University of America to launch new degrees in A.I. Pope Leo XIV and Russia’s Vladimir Putin have first phone call Fr. Bill Atkinson, O.S.A,, found God beyond the labels that divide us 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

Transcript

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0:00.0	Where can a Master of Theological Studies take you?
0:03.2	At Loyola University, Maryland, our interdisciplinary program prepares you for careers with faith-based non-profits, religious education,
0:10.7	campus ministry, law, social work, and higher education.
0:14.5	Choose from three specialized tracks, or our post-becclureate certificate in theology and ministry.
0:20.1	Experience small classes, faculty mentorship,
0:23.2	networking opportunities at conferences, and so much more.
0:26.8	Apply by August 1st for fall 2025.
0:29.8	Learn more at loyola.edu forward slash theology.
0:33.4	Music Hello and welcome to Jesuitical, a podcast from America Media for Saints and Sinners.
0:49.4	You can join us each week for honest conversations about the Catholic Church in our world today, sometimes over drinks.
0:55.3	I'm Ashley McKinless, and I'm joined by Zach Davis. Great to be with you. Good to see you, Ashley.
0:59.1	Yeah, I know. We've both been on the other side of the Atlantic, but not in the same country this time.
1:04.0	That's right. Yeah, I had a vacation scheduled with my wife that had to get moved because of the
1:09.3	papal transition, which is great when that happens.
1:12.1	You know, great career opportunity, but my wife was like, you still have to take me to Paris.
1:16.9	We're not canceling that entirely. So I just got back from a lovely trip there. You were at a wedding,
1:20.7	yes? Yeah, and I was in Brussels for my very good friend's wedding. We were college roommates and
1:26.7	have stayed friends since then, so it was
1:28.3	lovely to be there and celebrate. I got to do the prayers of the faithful at the wedding, which was a
1:34.4	little nerve wracking because she has some names in her family. French or Dutch? Hungarian.
1:39.2	Oh. You famously are great at pronouncing things. I made her, like, record a voice memo of her saying the names and I just like listened to it, fell asleep with it playing.
1:49.0	No pressure. It's only like grandma who passed away whose name you were going to get wrong, I'm sure.
	...

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