In this week’s edition:

• Vatican mascot splits Catholic opinion

• Canada expands euthanasia access

• Forth Worth Carmelites laicized after continued disobedience

• and more!

The Vatican announces Luce, the mascot for the Jubilee Year, to polarized responses

Summary: Luce (Italian for “light”) is the 2025 Jubilee Year mascot representing pilgrim Catholics, and is thus bedecked with symbolism representing our pilgrimage towards heaven.

Details:

• Luce was created by Simone Legno, an Italian artist and founder of Japanese lifestyle brand tokidoki.

• Some critics have pointed to Legnos’ and tokidoki’s association with gay pride and other “moral[ly] degenerate” groups as cause for concern.

• While some traditionalists have condemned the character, others have come out in support.

• Fans of Luce say she’s “a good Christian adaptation of modern culture”, creating popular memes and fan art of the character.

• Some who were initially skeptical of Luce say Legno “nailed” the look without the usual vacation bible school “lunkheadedness.”

Why we care: We tend to fall into the camp that asks “is this the best we can do?” Just because the rubrics don’t say you can’t pogo-stick up to the sanctuary doesn’t mean you should. Our initial reaction was one of distaste for that very reason, and truth be told we still don’t find that the pop-art style of Luce floats our boat. Still, it’s impossible to deny the cultural impact that Luce has had in her short existence - she’s very likely brought the faith before the eyes of those who didn’t know much about it. We doubt this signals the Church’s turning down the path of “how do you do, fellow kids?”, and if she can save even one soul then we think she’s worth it, warts and all.

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Quebec to allow MAiD requests to be made in advance

Summary: The government will allow those who have a serious diagnoses to request assisted suicide despite the fact the individual may not be able to consent when the procedure takes place.

Details:

• Quebec’s government website states that those who have “been diagnosed with a serious and incurable illness leading to incapacity” may submit “advance requests” for MAiD (Medical Aid in Dying).

• While the request must be made while the individual is able to consent, the government recognizes that capacity will be gone when the procedure is carried out.

• Advocates of the change say this is a welcome change to people with dementia or Alzheimer’s.

• Critics, however, say that the move does not properly value the individual, regardless of ability to consent.

Why we care: The article notes that MAiD is “the sixth-leading cause for death in Canada”, which we find absolutely abhorrent. The Catholic Church teaches that “crime against human life because, in this act, one chooses directly to cause the death of another innocent human being.” It’s so bizarre that we live in a world in which this is allowed, but it’s also heartbreaking to know that some people live in circumstances in which they believe death to be preferable to life. It seems there is significant room for improvement in palliative care, as Canadian bishops have requested. Pray that Canada (and all nations) might follow the lead of Wales, which just turned down a proposed law to allow assisted suicide.

Texas Carmelites returned to lay state after over a year of disobedience

Summary: The announcement came in a letter written by the Vatican-appointed superior of the monastery and posted by Bishop Olson of Fort Worth.

Details:

• The dispute started in 2023 when +Olson began investigate claims that the convent’s superior had engaged in an affair with a priest.

• This was followed by a lawsuit against +Olson, dismissal of Mother Gerlach, and the appointment of the Association of Christ the King as the overseer of the convent.

• The sisters have associated with the irregular SSPX and have received the support of the excommunicated +Vigano and two other priests removed from ministry.

• +Olson requested that Catholics neither attend Mass at the convent nor support the sisters financially.

Why we care: What a devastating conclusion (thus far, at least) to this story. For religious sisters - whose life revolves in no small way around vows of obedience - to fall down such a pit of disobedience is unfortunate to say the least. It’s a stark reminder that even the most ostensibly faithful of us are susceptible to the wiles of the evil one and that the Church is a heavenly institution run by flawed, sinful humans. We see this not only as a call to pray for these sisters in particular but for the clergy and religious in general, and to keep in mind our human frailty when tempted to harshly judge or turn away from the church Christ established.

Other Stories

• Vatican delegate to the UN Cardinal Renato Martino died at the age of 91.

• Want a plenary indulgence? Here’s how to get one this week.

• Global violence, oppression of Christians worsening.

• Cardinal accused of financial crimes has some thoughts on the governance of Vatican City.

• Odd circumstances surrounding the Immaculate Conception sees Chicago dispense obligation.

• Opus Dei creates ‘listening commission’, seeks to heal those hurt by the group on the heels of human trafficking allegations.

• +Gomez and Cardinal Dolan make World Series bet to benefit Catholic education.

• Missouri bishop bans “doctrinally problematic” songs.

Quote of the Week

What’s going on:

• November 5th is the Commemoration of All the Deceased of the Seraphic Order (Franciscan All Souls Day)

• November 9th is The Feast of The Dedication of the Lateran Basilica 

• This week is National Vocations Awareness Week

• The Holy Father’s intention for November is for those who have lost a child.

• Notable feast days

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