Portraits of modern sainthood

Portraits of modern sainthood

By Ronnie Convery

The Catholic world rejoices this weekend at the canonisations of two remarkable young men: Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati.

Their lives, though separated by nearly a century, radiate the same powerful message — holiness is possible any time, any place and in any circumstances.

Carlo Acutis, who died in 2006 at the age of 15, has become known as the “Internet saint”. Born in London and raised in Milan, Carlo used his digital talents to spread devotion to the Blessed Sacrament, creating a website on Eucharistic miracles around the world.

A teenager like any other – who loved video games, football, and his dog – Carlo stood out for his sincere religious faith. He attended daily Mass, prayed the Rosary regularly, and was known for his kindness and concern for the poor. His motto, “The Eucharist is my highway to Heaven,” continues to inspire young Catholics to center their lives around the Real Presence of Christ.

Pier Giorgio Frassati, born in Turin in 1901, died at just 24. Known for his adventurous spirit and deep compassion for the poor, he lived what St John Paul II called “a life lived in charity and grace.”

An avid mountain climber, Pier Giorgio saw nature as a place to encounter God. His faith moved him to action — from helping the sick and the outcast to engaging in political and social causes rooted in Catholic teaching.

His death from polio, likely contracted while serving the poor, came as a shock to his family and friends. Yet his legacy — of joyful service, devout faith, and radical generosity — endures.

Both young men offer the Church of today vibrant models of contemporary holiness. Their stories challenge the narrative that holiness is reserved for the old or the odd.

Carlo and Pier Giorgio were students, friends, sons, and believers. Today they share a new title, the greatest of all … ‘Saint’.

Pope and Patriarchs plead for peace

By Ronnie Convery

Pope Leo XIV and Holy Land Patriarchs have appealed for an end to the conflict in the Holy Land and spoken out against Israeli government plans to annex Gaza City.

The conflict has already caused the deaths of around 70,000 people in Gaza, according to Palestinian estimates, and 1200 Israelis killed in the initial Hamas terror attack.

In July an Israeli tank fired on the Church of the Holy Family, the only Catholic parish in Gaza. The attack killed three people and injured several others, including Father Gabriel Romanelli, the pastor of the church.

In his latest appeal Pope Leo implored that all hostages be freed, a permanent ceasefire be reached, the safe entry of humanitarian aid be facilitated, and humanitarian law be fully respected, “particularly the obligation to protect civilians and the prohibitions on collective punishment, the indiscriminate use of force, and the forced displacement of populations.”

The Pope’s words were echoed by Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem Theophilos III who issued a joint statement saying there is “no reason to justify the deliberate and forcible mass displacement of civilians” in Gaza.

The patriarchs criticised the Israeli government’s recent decision to take control of Gaza City.

“It seems that the Israeli government’s announcement that ‘the gates of hell will open’ is indeed taking on tragic forms.

“The experience of past campaigns in Gaza, the declared intentions of the Israeli government with regard to the current operation, and the reports now reaching us from the ground, show that the operation is not just a threat, but a reality that is already in the process of being implemented.”

The Church leaders said many of those seeking shelter at the Christian compounds are weakened and malnourished due to the hardships of the last months and leaving Gaza City and trying to flee to the south “would be nothing less than a death sentence.”

“We do not know exactly what will happen on the ground, not only for our community, but for the entire population.

“We can only repeat what we have already said: There can be no future based on captivity, displacement of Palestinians or revenge.”

“This is not the right way. There is no reason to justify the deliberate and forcible mass displacement of civilians,” the patriarchs continue.

Archbishop's message: We are running out of priests

Archbishop Nolan has delivered a sobering message to parishes across the Archdiocese at the annual Mass for Vocations… in future we will no longer have enough priests to maintain our current number of parishes.

Speaking in the Cathedral, the Archbishop urged prayer for vocations at all levels, and asked priests themselves to share with others the joy of the priesthood so as to encourage vocations.

Overseas

He warned: “The faith is not healthy in our country, in our diocese, if we have to look overseas for priests to come and help us.

“When Jesus spoke to the disciples about the harvest being great, he asked them to pray for more labourers, he didn’t say ‘go and look overseas for labourers’’.

Later, in an interview with Flourish, the Archbishop laid out the scale of the challenge facing the Church in the near future as the vocations crisis deepens.

He said: “This year in the Archdiocese we have lost six Parish Priests through retirement and ill health. The last ordination for the Archdiocese was three years ago, and the next ordination, God willing, will be in two years’ time.

“I simply don’t have priests to send to parishes, even where there is a strong local tradition and a good community.”

He said: “It is increasingly difficult to bring in priests from abroad.

“Our recent request for sponsorship forms was refused and this has stopped us bringing in additional clergy to the Archdiocese from overseas.

“We have to pray fervently for more vocations and encourage more young men to offer their lives to God and the Church.

“We need to let them see the rewarding life of the priesthood, and we need to support the priests we have as they face ever greater burdens of responsibility as the years go on.”

The lack of available clergy will have an impact on the future provision of parish churches. Already some priests are covering three parishes and more communities face merger as the number of priests drops.

Scots teachers meet Pope

A group of early-career Scottish teachers had the privilege of a lifetime when Archbishop Nolan presented them to meet Pope Leo XIV at a private audience in the Vatican.

The Archbishop was leading the group, which included young teachers from England, Wales and Ireland to Rome for a pilgrimage organised by the Scottish Catholic Education Service.

During the Papal audience, the Holy Father spent time with each individual present and gave the group some powerful advice as he encourage them in their career choice.

He said: “God has created each one of you with a purpose and a mission in this life. Use this opportunity for listening, for prayer, so that you may hear more clearly God’s voice calling you deep within your hearts.

“Today, so often, we lose the ability to listen, to really listen. We listen to music, we have our ears flooded constantly with all kinds of digital input, but sometimes we forget to listen to our own hearts and it’s in our hearts that God speaks to us, that God calls us and invites us to know him better and to live in his love…

“Dear teachers: what I have just said to the young people applies equally to you, especially given your important role in the formation of today’s youth: children, teenagers, young adults. For they will look up to you as models: models in life, models of faith. They’ll look to you particularly as to how you teach and how you live.

“I hope that, each day, you will nurture your relationship with Christ, who gives us the pattern of all authentic teaching so that, in turn, you may guide and encourage those entrusted to your care to follow Christ in their own lives.”

Later the group had the chance to meet representatives of the Roman Curia, and visited the main Roman basilicas before exploring some of the other great sites including the catacombs, the Vatican Gardens, Montecassino and the town of Assisi.