By Anthony Nguyen
In his book titled St. Thomas Aquinas, the renowned English author, G.K. Chesterton writes, “The Saint is a medicine because he is an antidote. He will generally be found restoring the world to sanity by exaggerating whatever the world neglects, which is by no means always the same element in every age. Yet each generation seeks its saint by instinct; and he is not what people want, but rather what the people need. Therefore, it is the paradox of history that each generation is converted by the saint who contradicts it most.” Growing up, many priests and religious whom I interacted with had a special devotion to Mother Teresa and Saint John Paul II. These two saints were antidotes for their time because they lived during the same era as these priests and religious, and were thus antidotes to the prevailing attitudes of their time. Their witness of the Christian life was a response to the wars, totalitarian regimes, secularization, and consumerism that were on the rise during their time.
On Sunday, September 7, the Church celebrated the canonization of two young men, Saints Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati. I believe that Saints Carlo and Pier Giorgio are so popular amongst young people today, myself included, because they are antidotes to our deepest struggles and woundedness in our time. It is often stated that the current generation of young people is the most depressed, lonely, and disconnected from the world. The overwhelming presence of technology and social media has become a poison to social interaction, causing dehumanization and detachment from the Christian life. Saint Pier Giorgio is known for the phrase “Verso l’alto” or “To the Heights” along with the photo of his last mountain climb. The phrase signifies an integration between his exterior and interior life. Saint Pier Giorgio is known to have always been filled with great joy in matters related to his spiritual life, but was also very athletic and enjoyed hikes with friends. The phrase “To the Heights” is used today as an antidote that encourages one to not only achieve one’s goals on this earth, but to reach as high as possible in the spiritual life as well. He embodied the idea that holiness and joy were not opposed to youthfulness or adventure. Similarly, Saint Carlo, who died in 2006, is an antidote and example for all those who struggle with the improper use of technology today.
Known as the first saint to wear jeans, Nike shoes, and have a PlayStation, Saint Carlo understood the proper use of technology. For example, he created a website that compiled information on all the Eucharist miracles in the world, all the while having a little bit of fun playing video games on his PlayStation.
I was blessed during my time as a seminarian here in Rome to have the opportunity to attend the canonization of Saint Carlo and Pier Giorgio. During my first week in Rome, I was met with the surprise opportunity to pray with the body of St. Pier Giorgio. Then, during my time of language studies in Assisi, I spent a lot of time praying with the body of St. Carlo, where his body is kept. I personally prayed for my continual growth in using technology as a tool that helps me grow in my relationship with the Lord and with others. Additionally, two days before the canonization, the Pontifical North American College, where I am at for seminary formation, hosted St. Carlo’s mother, Antonia Acutis, and his family for the premiere of St. Carlo’s newest documentary: Carlo Acutis: Roadmap to Reality. Here, Mrs. Acutis gave a reflection of St. Carlo’s love for the Eucharist, his impact on her own conversion, his love for priests and the priesthood, and also recalled moments of him playing his PlayStation.
Having these experiences in mind, I was personally very moved while attending their canonization. Even though the Mass was slated to begin at 10 am, the seminarians and I arrived at St. Peter’s Square around 7 am, some even earlier, and met with large crowds of pilgrims from around the world. When Pope Leo proclaimed them as Saints of the Catholic Church, it almost felt as though it were my friends who were being canonized because I had spent so much time with them in person, had seen pictures and videos of them, and they enjoyed hikes and playing video games just like me. Immediately following the official canonization announcement by Pope Leo, the cameras showed Saint Carlo’s mother and her joy and tears seeing her son canonized. The meaning of “the saints live among us” surely had a profound meaning for Mrs. Acutis and her family. Carlo was 15 years old when he passed away,
and now at his canonization Mass, his brother, who is 15 years old, read the First Reading. As the crowds cheered for the canonization of Saints Carlo and Pier Giorgio, I couldn’t help but think how the saints in heaven cheer every time one of us, sinners yet beloved children of God, repents from the temptations of the world and fix our eyes on the Lord.
In his homily at the canonization mass, Pope Leo shared, “The greatest risk in life is to waste it outside of God’s plan.” The canonization of Saints Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati reminds the world that we can be saints for our time when we strive to follow the will of God. In the digital and modern age, holiness remains possible when we fix our eyes on the Lord, especially in the Eucharist. These movements toward the Lord are simple, but not at all easy, because they contradict the movements of a digitally addicted and secular world. In Chesterton’s words, they contradict our age most where we are most wounded and have a desire for more, and precisely in this contradiction lies their witness of the Lord, who is the true source of healing. Their lives proclaim to us that sanctity is not about escaping the world, but about transforming it through the joy of friendship, faith, and above all, love for the Eucharist.
Saints Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati. Pray for us.
