On September 7, the canonization of Carlo Acutis, the first Catholic saint of the millennial generation, will take place, as announced by Pope Leo. This event holds significance not only for the Church but for young people around the world.
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Carlo, an Italian of British descent, passed away from leukaemia in 2006 at the tender age of 15. Originally scheduled for sainthood on April 27, the ceremony was postponed following the passing of Pope Francis.
Pope Leo revealed the new date during a recent meeting with cardinals dedicated to discussing various sainthood causes. While the exact location of the ceremony has not been specified, canonizations typically occur in St. Peter’s Square, a site steeped in tradition and significance.
Acutis, sometimes lovingly referred to as “God’s influencer,” was an early tech enthusiast who taught himself multiple coding languages. Before his untimely passing, he created websites aimed at spreading his faith, demonstrating how modern tools can amplify spiritual messages. His mother, Antonia Salzano, reflected on Carlos’s relatable nature, stating, “He lived a life just like any other teenager in the 2000s.” She further emphasized, “Carlo was an ordinary child, but his extraordinary quality was that he opened the door of his heart to Jesus and prioritized Him in his life.”
Being declared a saint signifies the Church’s belief that the individual is now in Heaven with God. The process involves a thorough investigation conducted by a Vatican department, which must verify that the individual led a holy life. Typically, this procedure includes the verification of two miracles attributed to the saint’s intercession with God.
Carlo Acutis is credited with facilitating the miraculous recovery of a four-year-old boy in Brazil, suffering from a severe pancreatic condition, as well as a 21-year-old woman in Costa Rica who was near death due to a bicycle accident. In both cases, the parents earnestly prayed to Carlo for assistance, leading Church authorities to affirm his miraculous intercession.
In addition to Acutis, the September 7 ceremony will also witness Pope Leo canonizing Pier Giorgio Frassati, a young Italian known for his selfless service to those in need, who tragically succumbed to polio in the 1920s.
“In every generation, saints inspire us to live for others, reminding us of the beauty in serving,” Pope Leo remarked, encapsulating the essence of these remarkable individuals.
Let us celebrate the legacies of these young saints who remind us all to carry our faith into the modern age.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
