Bishop John Noonan | Diocese of Orland website

A group of youth from St. Ann Parish in Haines City traveled to Rome and Assisi to witness the canonization of Carlo Acutis on September 7. The pilgrimage was led by Father Alfonso Cely, pastor of St. Ann Parish, who recounted feeling called during a previous visit to Acutis’s tomb to bring young parishioners for the event.

Upon his return, Father Cely convened parish staff to discuss organizing the trip. Time constraints became clear when it was discovered that only a week remained before the canonization. Elsa Lara, president of the charismatic group at St. Ann’s, volunteered as a chaperone after informing staff she would be stepping down from her position.

The opportunity was extended to youth members who met travel requirements, resulting in Isabel G., 17; Miguel L., 16; and Jayden V., 16 being selected for the journey.

Isabel initially placed herself at the bottom of the list but ultimately accepted a spot when available. “It was crazy physically being here (in Rome) and seeing Carlo Acutis becoming a saint. Then going to see him in his tomb in Assisi. It was a feeling I had never felt before. It was every emotion bubbling inside. I knew there was a purpose why I was here,” she said.

At Acutis’s tomb, Isabel reflected on how she could contribute further within her church community and cited inspiration from Acutis’s outreach work with homeless people. “I think that ties in beautifully with our mission of bringing more missionaries into the youth group and allowing the youth to fully grow in their faith and showcase the faith they have with everybody around them (through outreach projects),” she said.

The group experienced logistical challenges en route to Assisi but received help from clergy they met along their way, enabling them to catch their train despite missed departures. Another pilgrim named Keith shared a journal entry emphasizing patience and trust during difficulties: “When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don’t throw away the ticket and jump off... I trust in the journey and remain patient, hold on to my ticket, and trust the engineer with my life.” Isabel interpreted these events as encouragement not to give up.

Miguel expressed surprise at being invited on short notice but described attending the canonization ceremony as meaningful due to its communal atmosphere at St. Peter’s Square: “It was a beautiful experience to see all the people together in St. Peter’s Square to see two people be canonized as saints that they don’t even know... People were singing and dancing, everybody coming together as one.”

As leader of formation for St. Ann's youth ministry, Miguel hopes experiences like this will inspire missionary work among local youth: “I want to teach the youth missionary work... I want to bring these opportunities to them in their own city...” He also described visiting religious sites such as Rome's Holy Stairs: “We went up on our knees... My leg was cramping... but I kept on pushing through it.”

Jayden viewed his participation as divinely guided while considering his future vocation: “I am not yet a leader. I am a youth chosen by God to go to Italy... Being in Italy has really helped me better understand the Catholic faith... Coming here has really expanded my knowledge and understanding.”

Father Cely credited St. Acutis for making possible what he described as an extraordinary experience: “This was a miracle for me,” he said. He emphasized exposing younger generations to global expressions of faith: “Sometimes we do things here and we think it is ordinary, but it’s extraordinary... Then you go to St. Peter’s Square and see all the youth with such fervor... It shows you God is still walking with the Church.”

“These youth will bring the joy of having participated in the canonization of the first millennial saint — somebody of their same age, with their same motivation in life, that has the same desire to do things in the world and invite God into their lives.”

Father Cely noted similar outcomes after sending students abroad previously: “To see the fervor of these young boys and girls is a beautiful message… To see the future of Church is something great… happening here…”

“The Church belongs to God… It’s…the beauty…to accomplish…the mission Jesus gave…to bring…the Good News…to…the world,” he concluded.

St. Ann Parish operates within The Diocese of Orlando, which serves nine counties across central Florida including Polk County where Haines City is located.