Fiducia supplicans presents itself as “an innovative contribution to the pastoral meaning of blessings, permitting a broadening & enrichment of the classical understanding of blessings” (emphasis original). I have already said something about how this “innovation” might fit into a Catholic theological project, particularly where doctrinal development is concerned. I’d like now to comment more broadly on the document itself & what it has to say about blessings of couples. My main takeaway from Fiducia supplicans is that all persons & couples, including but not only those couples whose relationships do not conform to the church’s expectations, stand in need of God’s love & mercy, & so spontaneous, frequent, & abundant blessing of all persons & couples ought to be a regular feature of the church’s life as “sacrament of God’s infinite love” (§43).

In the very year of our engagement, Lady Bird was released. Toward the end of this magnanimous film the titular character meets with her English teacher, Sister Sarah Joan, to discuss a short story she wrote for class. That wise nun comments how clearly Lady Bird’s love for Sacramento comes through, much to Lady Bird’s—and the viewer’s—surprise. Up till now we have seen Lady Bird straining at the borders of her hometown