Beloved Family:
“Saints under construction!” Some among us will recall that several years ago, for a period of time, we had an actual road sign with this message printed on it, set up on the parish campus. It may have struck a few people as contrived, but I believe that for the majority of us, it hit a real chord of resonance.
This weekend, Pope Leo is presiding over the canonization Mass of two new saints who represent extraordinary holiness in young people: Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlo Acutis.
Blessed Frassati, born in 1901 into a prominent family in Turin, Italy, was admired for his deep spirituality, love for the poor and enthusiasm for life. A member of the Dominican Third Order, he served the sick through the St. Vincent de Paul Society. He died at age 24 after contracting polio, possibly from one of the people he assisted.
Born in 1991 and raised in Milan, Blessed Acutis used his tech skills to evangelize and was noted for his joyful faith and compassion for others before dying of leukemia in 2006 at age 15 (source: USCCB).
In this case, two youth from two different time periods within the same country illustrate how, even while diverse backgrounds and life circumstances distinguish each individual, the shared call to holiness is such that there are plenteous opportunities for all of us to excel in “kingdom greatness,” which quite often looks significantly— or even drastically— different from the world’s view of greatness.
Here is a prayer for young people from Pope Francis. It was written for a particular occasion (the 2018 Synod of Bishops— hence, the reference to “synod”), but I believe it has some lasting value for application.
Lord Jesus, in journeying towards the Synod, your Church turns her attention to all the young people of the world. We pray that they might boldly take charge of their lives, aim for the most beautiful and profound things of life and always keep their hearts unencumbered. Accompanied by wise and generous guides, help them respond to the call you make to each of them, to realize a proper plan of life and achieve happiness.
Keep their hearts open to dreaming great dreams and make them concerned for the good of others. Like the Beloved Disciple, may they stand at the foot of the Cross, to receive your Mother as a gift from you. May they be witnesses to your Resurrection and be aware that you are at their side as they joyously proclaim you as Lord. Amen.
Let His Peace be with you,
Fr. Stephen
