The third cohort of the Lumen Gentium Forum began its journey in September 2026, gathering for its first session at the Newman Centre of the University of Toronto. The evening began, as is customary, with 30 minutes of Eucharistic Adoration, followed by dinner and introductions from Forum Coordinators Brendan Steven and Robin D'Souza. CAPP-Canada Co-Coordinators Professor Danielle Morin and Dr. Cecil Chabot, together with Catholic Christian Outreach (CCO) President Jeff Locke

What inspired you to join CAPP‑Canada? I met CAPP Canada coordinator Dr. Cecil Chabot at a conference in the Archdiocese of Toronto several years ago, and was immediately inspired by the mission of the CAPP Foundation. At that point, I had already spent a few years actively engaged in different apostolates that educated and formed lay Catholics in the principles of Catholic social doctrine and its practical application to the social challenges of our times. I saw clearly that

What inspired the creation of the inaugural 'Il sait porter la croix' forum, and why do you believe this conversation is particularly important for Canada today? We knew that we need to engage business and civic leaders across Canada to use their talents and capabilities to bring the blessings of the Faith to bear on the country. CAPP members have for decades gathered every year in Rome for a strategic briefing with the Pope, and we felt the time was right to start assembling

What inspired you to join CAPP‑Canada? My inspiration flows directly from the vision of Saint John Paul II, who has always been a hero of mine. When he established the Centesimus Annus Pro Pontifice (CAPP) Foundation, he created something unique: the only lay-led pontifical foundation. He deeply believed that laypeople are called to be saints in the modern world, capable of transforming society from within. For me, joining CAPP-Canada is a way to live out that vision—focusing

From May 28-30 a delegation of seventeen CAPP-Canada members and friends attended the annual CAPP Fondation conference. Among the delegates were three members of the 2025-26 cohort of CAPP-Canada's Lumen Gentium Forum program. One of them, Mary Webb, participated in a panel on bringing CAPP's mission to younger generations. Mary Webb, an alumna of CAPP-Canada's Lumen Gentium Forum (2025-26 cohort), participates in a panel on engaging youth in the mission of CAPP, May 28, 2026

The second edition of CAPP-Canada's Lumen Gentium Forum wrapped up with a full-day retreat on Saturday, May 23. Several fellows left a little early, to catch flights to Rome for the annual CAPP conference. One of them, Mary Webb, contributed to a panel on bringing CAPP's mission to younger Catholics. The Lumen Gentium Forum brings together young Catholic lay leaders and professionals from across industries for nine months of intensive formation in Catholic social teaching and

The release of a Pope's first Encyclical is always noteworthy, and when a Pope named Leo releases an Encyclical on the 135th anniversary of Rerum Novarum, it is clearly a signal for all interested in Catholic Social Teaching (CST) to pay attention, and consider carefully. Early reactions, from Catholics, and from a wide readership outside the Faith, have been broadly appreciative, earnest and serious-minded, with comparisons to earlier documents in the CST lineage, discussion

INTRODUCTION For most people, life is understood, at least in part, in terms of necessity—that is, satisfying needs and filling gaps: lack of food, lack of money, lack of health, and other such deficiencies. This shared state of necessity among people can lead to the development of a social life that fosters solidarity and concern for the vulnerable, but it can also give rise to violence in all its forms, often fueled by innovation, in the name of a Darwinian “struggle for li

CAPP-Canada's Lumen Gentium Forum has had an exciting start in 2026, as we hosted our inaugural Leo XIII Dinner and launched recruitment for our next cohort of Lumen Gentium Fellows. The Lumen Gentium Forum brings together young Catholic lay leaders and professionals from across industries for nine months of intensive formation in Catholic social teaching and virtuous leadership principles. Fellows read papal encyclicals and other magisterial documents on key themes of Catho

What inspired you to join CAPP‑Canada at this early stage of its development? I was—and remain—deeply excited about any initiative that brings together bright, committed people who want to share the Church’s vision for the human person and for society. CAPP‑Canada offered exactly that: a way to unite thoughtful, active individuals from across the country and to support those who are seeking meaningful ways to promote human dignity and the proper use of the gift of life. I was