Pope Leo XIV has set September 7th for the canonization of Blesseds Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati. The announcement was made during an ordinary consistory at the Vatican, marking a highly anticipated event for the faithful. Acutis, known as the “God Geek,” and Frassati, a mountain climber and activist, will be jointly canonized. The canonization of these two young saints has been widely celebrated. A second group of seven saints will be canonized on October 19.
9 days ago
Pope Leo XIV has announced that Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati will be canonized together on September 7 3 4 5. The announcement was made during an ordinary public consistory held on June 13 3 4 5. This marks the first canonizations under the new Pope's leadership 1 3.
Carlo Acutis, who died of leukemia at age 15 in 2006, was known for his passion for computers and the internet, using his skills to evangelize and create a website cataloging Eucharistic miracles 3 4. Pier Giorgio Frassati, who died at age 24 in 1925, was known for his love for the poor, his dedication to serving the sick, and his enthusiasm for mountain climbing and outdoor activities 1 3 4. Both Acutis and Frassati are considered role models for young people 1 4 5.
Born in 1991, Carlo Acutis has been called "God's geek" and a "cyber-apostle" for his digital evangelization efforts 4. Pier Giorgio Frassati, born in 1901, came from a prominent family in Turin, Italy 3 4. He was a member of the Dominican Third Order and dedicated his time to serving the poor and sick through the St. Vincent de Paul Society 1 3. Frassati's motto was "Verso L'Alto," meaning "to the heights," encouraging others to strive for eternal life with Christ 1.
The joint canonization of Acutis and Frassati highlights two young men who offer modern paths to holiness 4. Acutis represents digital evangelization, while Frassati embodies hands-on charity and love for the outdoors 4. Their lives demonstrate that sanctity is not a relic of the past but a vibrant call to live with purpose, faith, and love today 4.
The canonization of Frassati was made possible by the recognition of a miracle involving the healing of Father Juan Gutierrez, a seminarian from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles 1. Gutierrez tore his Achilles tendon in 2017 and experienced a sensation of heat and healing while praying a novena to Frassati 1. Doctors were unable to explain the sudden recovery, attributing it to divine intervention 1.
In addition to Acutis and Frassati, seven other blesseds will be canonized on October 19 3 4 5. These include: Ignatius Maloyan, Peter To Rot, Vincenza Maria Poloni, Maria Rendiles Martínez, Maria Troncatti, José Gregorio Hernández Cisneros, and Bartolo Longo 3 5. These individuals come from diverse backgrounds and countries, representing a wide range of service and sacrifice within the Catholic Church 3 5.
What is the Catholic Church's understanding of sainthood?
The Catholic Church views sainthood as a recognition of extraordinary holiness and virtue in a deceased individual, who is then considered worthy of veneration and invocation by the faithful . Saints are not merely figures of the past but are seen as present and future examples for the Church and society, embodying the love of Christ in various ways .
In summary, the Catholic Church's understanding of sainthood encompasses recognizing, venerating, and imitating individuals who have lived lives of heroic virtue and holiness, offering them as models and intercessors for the faithful . The process of canonization is a careful examination of a person's life and virtues, affirming their place in Heaven and their worthiness of veneration .