The Vatican’s Jubilee of Young People in Rome recently ended. It was a week-long celebration geared explicitly for people aged 18-35. The theme for the week was billed as “Pilgrims of Hope.” The official logo depicted a rainbow of various-sized triangular people floating over what appears to be water, embracing each other from behind. The last person in red is holding on to a leaning cross. The logo is devoid of any divine images and is truly childish. The rainbow colors are a direct nod to the homosexual agenda, and the leaning cross most likely represents the Church bending to the will and whims of the people.
The jubilee week for young adults was equally as disappointing as its logo. While some planned events did include masses, a chance to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and a vigil, the entertainment, cultural, and artistic presentations were rather upsetting.
One such entertainment segment featured a group of dancers barefoot and clad in white flowing outfits doing an interpretive dance set to scripture readings before an outdoor altar in front of St. Peter’s Basilica. The women’s costumes had one shoulder exposed, and they participated in many provocative poses and hand gestures. One of the women was often hoisted up by the others like some kind of goddess. It looked more like a group Olympic figure skating program than anything serious or religious.
Then there was the debut of a rap song about Blessed Carlo Acutis. Acutis was a teenager from Italy who created a website to educate others about various Eucharistic miracles documented over the ages. Acutis was only 15 years old when he succumbed to leukemia. A Franciscan priest from India, Fr. Sanesh Manuel, an influencer on Instagram, performed his new rap single, Carlo Acutis, Pray for Us, at the Jubilee. The song is terrible, and quite honestly, it is a grotesque way to spread his story.
There was also the first-ever Catholic Music Awards at St. Peter’s during the youth jubilee week. Organizers said this event was a way to “promote, encourage and recognize the talent of Catholic singers and songwriters.” The winners received some kind of trophy. They were chosen among 19 categories, including: Best Album, Best female singer, Best male singer, Best pop song, Best tropical song, Best urban song, and Best music video, to name a few. It was billed as the “Catholic Grammy’s” and the emphasis was certainly not on giving glory and honor to God, but building up the ego and reputations of the performers.
There was also a meeting of social media influencers. This is the description of the event from Vatican News: “Hundreds of digital missionaries and Catholic influencers from around the world have gathered in Rome for the first-ever Jubilee for Digital Missionaries and Influencers, a two-day celebration aimed at fostering communion, deepening mission, and sharing hope through digital platforms.” So hundreds of somewhat narcissistic influencers were all brought together in one room to talk about getting more likes and reposts, and how to monetize their online presence? How was an event like this even considered in the first place?
Young people are looking for something real, something authentic—but not this watered-down, culturally relevant version of Catholicism. The Catholic faith is not how many likes you get on social media, an off-Broadway play, or even the Grammys. It is the unchangeable truth rooted in divine revelation and passed down by tradition. It is the Deposit of Faith that was revealed to the Apostles. It is not a fad that comes and goes with the spirit of the age. It is eternal.
By trying so desperately to fit in with current pop culture to attract young people, the Church is totally missing the boat. The gimmicks employed during the Jubilee of Young People are embarrassing and pathetic compared to the beauty and majesty of the true faith.
Chris Jackson’s Substack, Hiraeth in Exile, has an excellent take on this nonsense. He writes:
“This is not the religion of the martyrs. It is not the faith that conquered pagan Rome. It is not the Church that crushed heresy, anointed emperors, and baptized civilizations.
This is liturgical Broadway. Sentimental modernism. A beautifully lit Instagram carousel of Catholic-lite catchphrases.
But let no one be fooled: the young are not flocking to this because it is true. They are attending because it is a spectacle. A social event. A free trip to Rome. And, yes, because they long for the real thing, but they don’t know where to find it.
The real Church doesn’t need animators or algorithms. It needs apostles. Saints. Priests who preach death, judgment, heaven, and hell. Popes who tremble before the Gospel they proclaim.
Until then, we have choreographed theology and curated hope.
And it is not enough.”
We couldn’t agree more.