Bishop John Noonan | Diocese of Orland website

Blessed Carlo Acutis and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati are set to be canonized as saints in the Catholic Church on September 7. Both men, who died young, have had a significant influence on people of all ages within the Church.

Brother Logan Murray from the Brotherhood of Hope at the University of Central Florida Catholic Campus Ministry finds a personal connection with Pier Giorgio Frassati. Reflecting on a well-known photo of Frassati atop a mountain, Brother Murray described his own journey climbing New Hampshire’s 48 peaks over seven years. “My first seven years in the Brotherhood (of Hope) I was chipping away at them. I hiked all 48, and that included smoking my pipe on the top of some of them.” He added, “Enjoying God’s creation and living life to the fullest inspires me.”

Frassati often used the phrase versol’alto, meaning “to the heights,” which Brother Murray relates to his order’s mission to evangelize college students. “There is always this upward pursuit in Christ,” he said. “St. Paul says Christ comes to full stature in us. We carry on the sufferings of Christ. The goal of our life is to grow in holiness,” Said Brother Murray.

He acknowledged he has not yet reached his spiritual goals but sees hope in striving for heaven. “Tying into the idea of the mountaintop,IcanseewhereI’mgoing.I canseeI’mslowlygettingcloser,but it’sstillstrenuoustogetthereandit takes time,” he said.

Brother Murray encourages students to seek holiness and avoid complacency: “We’re called for greatness, to the heights of heaven. Verso l’alto is to have that disposition of heart, to not grow complacent in our spiritual life.”

He also spoke about learning obedience from Frassati: “Ultimately, we’re supposed to be obedient to God, Our Father, as He has a hand in our lives and wants to lead us on. That’s how we experience the fullness of life.”

The sense of community that Frassati valued also resonates with members of the Brotherhood. Their shared fraternal life supports their spiritual growth.

Brother Sawyer Phillips visited Rome during the Jubilee of Youth and prayed at Frassati’s tomb. He shared: “As I knelt before his casket praying, asking for Blessed Pier Giorgio’s intercession for the various intentions I had on my heart, I felt a nearness to him and a closeness to the Lord. This man is a brother in the Lord to me, and I felt so grateful to get to know him and that he’s a patron for our Brotherhood,” Brother Phillips said “A young man like me. A man who had a heart for the poor, a heart to give of his life. A man with a complicated family. A man who loved and loved adventure. It was just a beautiful experience for me to be able to be with him in this resting place. And I felt the call that was written on his casket, ‘to the heights’. To the Lord, to the heavens, to a life of holiness like he did in everyday life.”

Frassati was known for helping those in need through his involvement with organizations such as the Society of St. Vincent de Paul—an organization founded by Frederic Ozanam while still a student himself.

Trace Trylko, executive director of St. Vincent de Paul Society in Orlando commented: “More than a century after his death at only 24 years old, Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati continues to inspire young people across the globe,” said Trylko. “May (he) continue to inspire young Vincentians to put their faith into action and grow in their spirituality by helping our neighbors in need across Central Florida and all over the world.”

Carlo Acutis died at age 14 but left an impact through his digital work cataloguing Eucharistic miracles online and encouraging participation at Mass: “To be united to Jesus, this is my life plan,” he once stated.

John Donahue from St. James Cathedral remembered watching Acutis’s beatification while ill with COVID-19: “Blessed Carlo’s heroic virtue and use of the”internet made me absolutely weep,” he said.

Donahue explained how Acutis inspired him: “I look to Blessed Carlo as a model for how to engage as a missionary on- line and how to balance technology use with prudence,” Donahue said.

“Blessed Carlo set an example for the world on how to be creative and productive with technology but not allow it to consume us or become addicted to it. Carlo did this by imposing his own rules for himself in limiting himself to one hour of video games a week so he wouldn’t become addicted or distracted from prayer.”

Donahue believes Acutis would want others reminded that: “God is currently providing you with everything you need to become a saint.”

“The Catechism of the Catholic Church says each time we pray is a response to God’s grace, meaning when we feel that urge to pray, that is God’s grace making itself known to us,” Donahue said.“There is no time when God’s grace is not being offered you.There is no place where God is not there.”

A recent exhibit featuring Acutis's documentation about Eucharistic Miracles was held at Most Precious Blood Parish in Oviedo before Holy Week this year; attendees reported gaining new understanding about Catholic teaching regarding Christ's presence during Mass.

Debby Kerr-Henry attended after being invited by friends despite not being Catholic herself; she found clarity about her beliefs after viewing it.“In this season of my life,it’s important tome tost ay connectedwithGodandexamine what does that mean? What does that look like? It’s another opportunity torevisitallofthat," she said.

At St.Vincent de Paul Parishin Wildwood,a group named afterAc utiswas started last yearfor adults intheir30s–40s.Spencer Daniels suggested namingthegroupafterthe“millennialsaint”because itsmembersrelatetohim generationally.Danielsnoted,“The profound things that came from someone who was only 14 years old shows you can truly live your life in awaythatmakestheworldabetterplace.Thatcanbeapplicabletoanyoneasaguidefortheirlife."

Both men will be canonized during Holy Mass at St.Peter's SquareonSeptember7at10a.m.(4a.m.Eastern).

The Diocese of Orlando was established in 1968 and serves nine counties across Central Florida including Brevard,Lake,and Orange Counties.It comprises79parishesand43CatholicschoolsandiscoordinatedbyBishopJamesNoonan.