Following a recent pilgrimage to Italy, Father Michael Schultz, associate pastor of St. Albert the Great Church, expressed renewed confidence in the power of intercessory prayer after visiting the remains of newly canonized saints Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati.

Father Schultz traveled with parishioners for the Jubilee of the Youth from July 28 to August 3. Reflecting on his experience, he said, “I have a lot of hope from all of it. It’s appropriate for the Jubilee Year.”

Pope Leo XVI canonized St. Carlo Acutis and St. Pier Giorgio Frassati during a ceremony at St. Peter’s Square on September 7.

During the trip, Father Schultz visited Rome’s Basilica of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva, where St. Frassati’s remains were brought for the event from their usual resting place at Turin’s Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. He prayed for intercession from St. Frassati, noting that in life he was “a fun-loving young man who enjoyed playing pool.”

In Assisi, Father Schultz also prayed before St. Carlo Acutis’ remains at the Sanctuary of the Renunciation in the Church of St. Mary Major. There he met Ruben Hernandez from Spain, who shared a personal story about his younger brother Elias surviving a near-drowning incident as a toddler after prayers seeking Acutis’ intercession.

Father Schultz recounted offering comfort to Hernandez: “Whatever you’re praying for, this is the place to do it,” he said he told him. “This soon-to-be saint is like you and like me. He is young and ordinary, yet he lived a life of extraordinary holiness and he had a deep love for the Eucharist, so I really believe he will answer your prayer.” Later outside the sanctuary, Hernandez told Father Schultz that “God actually already answered my prayer.” He explained that emergency workers had given up on Elias but their mother’s prayers led to what doctors described as a miraculous recovery: “The doctor described it as miraculous; somehow the boy revived,” said Father Schultz. “He’s perfectly healthy now, and there are no signs of the effects of the drowning.”

On September 7, Elias and his brothers watched Acutis’ canonization on television.

“Ruben was convinced it’s the power of the saints that are walking with us, standing with us, the power of Carlo Acutis that caused the healing,” said Father Schultz.

Closer to home in Louisville, Father Schultz observed similar faith among parishioners at St. Albert following last year’s novena for healing to St. Thérèse of Lisieux—a French Carmelite known as “the Little Flower”—whose canonization centenary was marked in May 2025. One participant suffering from cancer reported significant health improvement after attending services involving veneration of her relics and receiving anointing.

“It was very powerful,” Father Schultz said. “I’ve heard so many stories of people experiencing crazy healing, whether it was emotional, physical or spiritual healing.”

He noted that both Thérèse and Frassati died at age 24—a detail that has resonated with younger members: “I’ve had so many young parents come to me and tell me what a difference knowing about St. Pier Giorgio, knowing about St. Carlo and knowing about St. Thérèse has made in their lives. And how their kids are excited about these saints and learning about their lives,” he said.

“I think St. Thérèse, St. Pier Giorgio and St. Carlo give us a living witness and image that despite difficulties…you can be a saint,” Father Schultz added.

“And they’re standing with us—they’re not absent,” he continued.“They’re closer to us than they ever could have been in this life now that they are in heaven…every time we pray and call upon their intercession.”

St. Albert will host another healing novena to St.Thérèse beginning September 22.