Last sunday at the Vatican, Pope Leon XIV presided the mass in which took place the canonization of the beatified Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati, two new saints that with simple messages and a life devoted to God, left a profound testimony of faith despite leaving this world at a young age.
During the homily, the Pontiff recalled that, even when sickness marked their last years, both stayed firm in their love to God and their service to those in need.
“Sometimes we represent them as great characters, forgetting that it all started for them when, from a young age, they said “yes” to God and surrendered completely to Him, withholding nothing. To this respect, Saint Augustine said that in the “very tourtous and convoluted node” of his life, a voice deep within told him: “I only want you”. And in this way, God gave him a new direction, a new way, a new logic, where nothing from his existence was lost”, he expressed.
Life Testimonies
Pier Giorgio Frassati (1901-1925) was an Italian lay dominican young man, passionate about mountain climbing, member of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society and Catholic Action. From a young age he expressed a profound interest in serving others, organizing social initiatives in favor of the poor. He died at the age of 24 as a result of a case of sudden poliomyelitis.
Carlo Acutis (1991-2006), an italian student, was known for documenting eucharistic miracles and marian apparitions all over the world through digital platforms. From a young age he showed a great devotion for the Eucharist and the Virgin Mary, although his parents were not practicing catholics. He did his first communion at age eight and since then attended mass daily. He combined his school life with visiting the elderly and helping those in need. He died at age 15 due to an acute myeloid leukemia. He was beatified in 2020 and canonized this past September 7th .
In his message, the Pope underscored that both saints “are an invitation to all of us, especially for young people, to not throw our lives away, but to guide them towards the spiritual and transform them into a true masterpiece”.
Vice Grand Chancellor valued the example of both young men
For his part, the Vice Grand Chancellor of the PUCV, friar Cristian Eichin Molina ofm, emphasized that Pier Giorgio Frassati and Carlo Acutis are an example that holiness is a possible vocation in the midst of studies, friendship and contemporary culture.
“Carlo, a young man from the 21st Century, knew how to integrate faith with digital connectivity, making of the internet a space for evangelization, showing that the Eucharist is the center of the Christian life. Pier Giorgio, a college student in the 2Oth century, joined his passion for sports, social commitment and academic life with profound charity towards the poor and a joyful and committed faith”, he expressed.
Father Eichin also left a message for our young men and women at the PUCV: “life is to guide it towards “the spiritual”; it is not measured for its duration, but for the intensity of the love with which is lived. And Carlo repeated that Eucharist was his highway to heaven. So, Carlo and Pier Giorgio remind us that it is possible to be completely modern and Christian, witnesses of a hope that transforms society from the Gospel”, he added.
The student of Religious Sciences and Pastoral Studies at the PUCV, Micaela Reinares, had the chance to attend the Jubilee for Youth in Rome and get to know the story of Carlo Acutis more closely.
“As new saints they drive us to believe that we are also called to live holiness in this way. Through following the example of Christ and the Eucharist, the worship to the Most Holy or helping our neighbor we can achieve it. I want to assure you that the Jubilee encouraged us as young people to give joy, hope and humility, but above all, to know that saints show us the way to become light in our world”, she concluded.
By Juan Paulo Roldán
Strategic Communication Department
