Stephanie Saldaña on love, loss and memory in the Middle East

He was a French novice living in a desert monastery in Syria. She
was a journalist from Texas who wanted to become a nun. Then, they
fell in love. I know, it sounds like a rom-com. But that is, in
fact, how this week’s guest, Stephanie Saldaña, met her husband—and
it’s not even the most fascinating part of her story. Today,
Stephanie lives with her family in Jerusalem where she writes and
teaches. In 2016, she started Mosaic Stories, a project that seeks
to preserve the cultural heritage of the war-torn Middle East. We
ask Stephanie what lessons the monastery has for family life, what
she has learned raising children in a conflict zone and what her
unique path to marriage taught her about discerning between two
loves. In Signs of the Times, Pope Francis announces a summit of
sex abuse and sources say the Vatican and China are close to a deal
over the status of bishops; Catholics and Buddhists team up to
provide green housing for seniors; a bishop skydives for donations;
a new institute prepares Catholic women for leadership; and
thousands of Latino Catholics gather in Texas for V Encuentro. Have
you checked out our Facebook group yet? It’s a great place to keep
up with Catholic news between shows and share your own consolations
and desolations. You can also find us on Twitter @jesuiticalshow,
support us on Patreon and send us an email at
jesuitical@americamedia.org. Also, Jesuit swag. Get some. Links
from the show: An Impossible Hope: Three men in Syria showed me
what Jesus looks like. Resignations, Rome meetings and
investigations: A week of major developments in the sexual abuse
crisis Developing Story | Pope Francis meets with bishops about the
sexual abuse crisis China and Vatican to Sign Landmark Deal Over
Bishops DiMarzio says ‘Laudato si’ to flower in Brooklyn with green
housing Bishop takes a (sky) dive to get pilgrims to Lourdes
Women’s Catholic leadership program, GIVEN Institute, officially
launches More than 3,000 Latino Catholics expected at Encuentro
gathering What’s on tap? Everything but the kitchen sink. Cleaning
out the fridge/liquor cabinet to make room for PSL cocktails.
Miller Lite for Zac, a lager for Olga and tequila for me. Cheers!
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