September 7, 2025
Dear Parish Family:
Today in Saint Peter’s Square at the Vatican, two new saints will be canonized. They are two young Catholics from Italy known for their vibrant faith and witness to holiness.
Carlo Acutis (15 Years Old): The First Millennial Saint
Acutis, a teenager who died of cancer in 2006, is known for his great devotion to the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. He used his computer skills to draw attention to Eucharistic miracles around the world. His miracles exhibit, featuring more than 100 documented miracles involving the Eucharist throughout history, has since traveled to thousands of parishes across five continents (including Good Shepherd in 2023). Born in London in 1991 and raised in Milan, Acutis attended daily Mass from a young age and was passionate about the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Shortly after his first Communion at the age of 7, Carlo told his mother: “To always be united to Jesus: This is my life plan.” Carlo called the Eucharist “my highway to heaven,” and he did all in his power to make the Real Presence known. His witness inspired his parents to return to practicing the Catholic faith and his Hindu au pair to convert and be baptized. He is remembered for saying: “People who place themselves before the sun get a tan; people who place themselves before the Eucharist become saints.” Shortly before his death, Acutis offered his suffering from cancer “for the pope and for the Church” and expressed a desire to go “straight to heaven.”
Pier Giorgio Frassati (24 Years Old): ‘To the Heights’ of Holiness
This young man from the city of Turin was an avid mountaineer known for his charitable outreach. Born on Holy Saturday, April 6, 1901, Frassati was the son of the founder of the Italian newspaper La Stampa. At the age of 17, he joined the St. Vincent de Paul Society and dedicated much of his spare time to taking care of the poor, the homeless, and the sick as well as demobilized servicemen returning from World War I. On a photograph of what would be his last climb, Frassati wrote the phrase “Verso L’Alto,” which means “to the heights.” This phrase summed up Frassati’s desire to always strive for the summit of eternal life with Christ. Frassati died of polio on July 4, 1925. His doctors later speculated that he caught polio while serving the sick.
The Young Church: Alive and Active. Witnesses to Hope
The canonizations of Carlo and Pier Giorgio remind us that the young people of Faith have a great impact on the Church and the world. We see it here in our own parish. This weekend, we welcome Deacon John Sullivan (no relation). Deacon John is a seminarian from the Diocese of Worcester in formation for the priesthood at Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary. He was with us last year for his Pastoral Field Education. We are blessed that he has been sent back to us to minister as a deacon on weekends during this academic year. Welcome (back), Deacon John!
Love and prayers,
Father Neil Sullivan