Christmas in Bethlehem During a War

This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley interview Stephanie
Saldaña, the author of What We Remember Will Be Saved: A Story of
Refugees and The Things They Carry. Stephanie lives with her family
in Bethlehem, where the economy has long relied on tourism around
Christmas time as Christian pilgrims flock to the site of Jesus’
birth. But as one might imagine with the war raging in Gaza, Advent
in Bethlehem looks different this year. Stephanie helps the
“Jesuitical” team to enter into that reality. They discuss:
Stephanie’s experience on and after Oct. 7 as a Christian living in
the West Bank The challenges Bethlehem residents are facing during
the war and how that’s impacted Advent celebrations Stephanie’s
spirituality and the importance of closeness amid these difficult
times In a funeral-focused Signs of the Times segment, Ashley and
Zac get into Pope Francis’ recent announcement that he won’t be
buried at the Vatican as well as recent Vatican guidelines about
scattering ashes. They also talk about the recent lawsuit brought
by a group of nuns against gun manufacturer Smith & Wesson.
Plus, Zac shares his quibbles with this year’s liturgical calendar.
Links In war zones, hospitals are holy ground. The explosion of one
in Gaza is a tragic turning point. When dancing turns to mourning:
A wedding hall fire brings tragedy to Qaraqosh Pope Francis says he
will not be buried at the Vatican, simplifies papal funeral rite
Vatican says no to scattering ashes, but approves families keeping
‘minimal’ part of cremated remains in a ‘significant’ place Group
of nuns sue gunmaker Smith & Wesson over assault weapons What’s
on tap?  Arak Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
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