The BEST for God. Not... this.
Luce - the Anime mascot of the Church?
The 2025 Jubilee in the Church is devoted to the Holy Year of Hope. I am excited about what God has in store for us. But yesterday, the “mascot” of the Jubilee Year was dropped by the Vatican. I have some thoughts.
It is an anime girl (pictured above) named Luce.
The Vatican Dicastery for Evangelization is unveiling it at Lucca Comics and Games, which is similar to the American Comic-Con. The pro-prefect of the Dicastery, Archbishop Rino Fisichella said that he hopes the Vatican’s taking part in the convention “will allow us to speak to younger generations about the theme of hope, which is more central than ever in the evangelical message.”
Luce also has friends - see below.
The artist, Simone Legno, is an Italian and the founder of the anime brand tokidoki. His company promotes Pride Month. He also has some rather suggestive designs of a naked Japanese woman. I cannot think of a good reason that this person should design anything for the Catholic Church.
At the Vatican’s exhibit at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, Luce and friends will be presented alongside the stunning “The Entombment of Christ” by Caravaggio.
I understand the importance of going where the people are and engaging the culture. But the Jubilee Year of Hope is for the whole world. Beyond this, we do not need a mascot for it. If the Dicastery wanted to use Luce at Lucca Comics and Games… okay, I suppose (despite the manifold links of anime to pornography). But for the worldwide Jubilee Year, the Church deserves better. Our Lord Jesus Christ, who is our Hope, deserves better.
For crying out loud, this nonsense is the logo:
It is absolutely awful. Most of the art that has come from the Church over the last decades has been awful. The fact that the work of Marko Rupnik was so popular and is still being displayed in various places even after the substantiated allegations of his serial abuse of women.
Those in the Church, especially the youth, desire true beauty. They desire Jesus. They desire the robust tradition of the Church in all of its ever ancient and ever new vigor. I am not saying that everything has to be Baroque or any other particular style. But the disgustingly stupid “art” that we have been consistently given needs to stop. It shows how remarkably out of touch the Vatican officials are - regardless of all our synodal gymnastics - with actual young people.
Blessed Carlo Acutis loved our Eucharistic Lord and created a website showcasing Eucharistic miracles. St. Jose Sanchez del Rio died crying “Viva Cristo Rey” rather than deny Jesus. St. Gemma Galgani was martyred for her chastity. There are plenty of unrecognized young people who live the Faith with full vim and vigor. I highly doubt they want Luce.
To give an example of fantastic modern Catholic art, I submit the icon for St. Jose Sanchez del Rio and this fantastic image of the Holy Family.
CNA news story about Luce HERE.
I don't have direct problem with Luce. I think that we need to think outside the box a bit when it comes to evangelize. This coming from the guy who builds churches with LEGO. We are so quick to dismiss these kinds of things and yet you never know how it might reach out to someone. The question I have to everyone is this: How Do you Share the faith with others? How do you use YOUR talents in service to Christ?
Who I’d the artist who did the holy family? I love it!