First Reading: Wisdom 9:13-18b
The Book of Wisdom reminds us of the limitations of human understanding and the necessity of divine guidance: “Who can know God’s counsel, or who can conceive what the Lord intends?” This passage underscores the humility required to align our lives with God’s will, a virtue both Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati exemplified. Carlo, often called “God’s influencer,” used his technological skills to create a website cataloging Eucharistic miracles, spreading faith in the digital age. His life reflected a reliance on divine wisdom, trusting that God’s Spirit would guide his efforts to evangelize through modern means. Similarly, Pier Giorgio, known as the “Man of the Beatitudes,” lived with a deep trust in God’s plan, serving the poor and embracing a life of charity despite his privileged background. Both saints, in their youthful zeal, show us that divine wisdom is accessible to all who seek it with an open heart, regardless of age or circumstance.
Second Reading: Philemon 9-10, 12-17
Paul’s letter to Philemon speaks of love, reconciliation, and the transformative power of Christian relationships. Paul appeals for Onesimus, a slave, to be received “no longer as a slave but more than a slave, a brother.” This call to see others through the lens of Christ’s love mirrors the lives of Carlo and Pier Giorgio. Carlo’s compassion extended to the marginalized, as he helped the homeless in Milan and used his pocket money to support those in need. His actions embodied the radical love Paul describes, treating all as brothers and sisters in Christ. Pier Giorgio, too, lived this ethos, dedicating himself to the poor through the St. Vincent de Paul Society, often at great personal cost. Their canonization on September 7, 2025, during the Jubilee Year of Hope, highlights their witness to this transformative love, urging us to see others as Christ sees them and to act with generosity and mercy.
Gospel: Luke 14:25-33
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks of the cost of discipleship: “Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” This passage challenges us to prioritize Christ above all else, embracing sacrifice for the sake of the Kingdom. Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati lived this radical call in distinct yet complementary ways. Carlo, who died of leukemia at 15, offered his suffering for the Pope and the Church, calling the Eucharist his “highway to heaven.” His commitment to daily Mass and his digital apostolate reflect a life wholly given to Christ. Pier Giorgio, who died at 24 from polio likely contracted while serving the poor, embraced the cross through his tireless charity and joyful faith. His motto, “Verso l’Alto” (“To the heights”), encapsulates his pursuit of holiness through sacrifice and service. Their joint canonization in St. Peter’s Square, presided over by Pope Leo XIV, serves as a powerful reminder that discipleship demands everything—yet promises eternal life.
Reflection and Connection to the Canonization
The canonization of Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati on September 7, 2025, is a historic moment, marking the first millennial saint and a young layman whose lives speak to the universal call to holiness. Carlo’s tech-savvy faith and Pier Giorgio’s adventurous charity show that sanctity is not confined to cloisters but can flourish in the modern world—whether in front of a computer or on a mountaintop. Their lives echo the readings’ themes: seeking divine wisdom to navigate life’s challenges, loving others as brothers and sisters in Christ, and embracing the cross of discipleship with courage and joy.
As we celebrate their canonization, we are invited to reflect on how we, too, can live out these readings. Like Carlo, we can use our unique gifts—whether technological or otherwise—to spread the Gospel. Like Pier Giorgio, we can serve those in need with enthusiasm and humility. In a world often marked by division and distraction, these young saints challenge us to prioritize Christ, trust in God’s wisdom, and love sacrificially. Their canonization during the Jubilee Year of Hope inspires us to be “pilgrims of hope,” trusting that God’s grace can transform ordinary lives into extraordinary witnesses of faith.
Prayer
St. Carlo Acutis and St. Pier Giorgio Frassati, pray for us! Help us to seek God’s wisdom, love others as Christ does, and carry our crosses with courage. May your lives inspire us to live boldly for Christ in our daily lives, bringing His love to a world in need. Amen.[](https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-06/carlo-acutis-and-pier-giorgio-frassati-to-be-canonized-together.html)[](https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/264701/blessed-carlo-acutis-to-be-canonized-september-7)[](https://www.usccb.org/news/2025/pope-sets-sept-7-joint-canonization-blesseds-acutis-and-frassati)
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