2 New Saints for the Modern Soul – Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati
Blessed Carlo Acutis and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati… two young figures of modern Catholic holiness. Their stories, while different, converge in their deep love for Christ, their service to others, and their profound spiritual insight at a young age. They are especially powerful examples for those seeking to live out a meaningful, vibrant spiritual life today.
In an age marked by technological advancement, social upheaval, and spiritual searching, the lives of Blessed Carlo Acutis and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati shine with a remarkable and timely light. These two young men (separated by nearly a century) offer a vision of holiness that is deeply rooted in the ordinary, yet radically transformative. Their legacy challenges us to see sanctity not as reserved for the cloistered or extraordinary, but as a path walked in sneakers, climbing mountains, building websites, and serving the poor. All with Christ at the center.
Who Were They?
Blessed Carlo Acutis (1991–2006) – The Cyber Apostle of the Eucharist
Carlo Acutis was born in London in 1991 to Italian parents but grew up in Milan. From an early age, he showed an exceptional love for God, especially the Eucharist. He attended daily Mass, prayed the Rosary, and often spent time in adoration. Despite being just a teenager, his spiritual life was mature, and he possessed a keen intellect paired with a heart for the marginalized.
Carlo was also deeply immersed in the world of technology. He learned computer programming and web design on his own and used his skills to create a website cataloguing Eucharistic miracles from around the world… making the mystery and power of the Real Presence more accessible to a digital generation.
He died of leukemia at the age of 15, offering his sufferings for the pope and the Church. In 2020, Pope Francis beatified him, recognizing a miracle attributed to his intercession. His incorrupt body lies in Assisi, dressed in jeans and sneakers… a symbol of modern holiness.
Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati (1901–1925) – The Man of the Beatitudes
Pier Giorgio Frassati was born into a wealthy and influential family in Turin, Italy. Despite the privilege of his upbringing, he was known for his humility, cheerfulness, and love for the poor. A lover of the outdoors, Pier Giorgio was an avid mountain climber, often saying,
“The higher we go, the better we shall hear the voice of Christ.”
He was a man of deep prayer and action. He spent hours in Eucharistic adoration, yet also worked tirelessly with the St. Vincent de Paul Society, visiting the sick and bringing food to the poor. He called the Eucharist and the Virgin Mary the “two poles” of his life.
He died at 24 from polio, likely contracted while serving the sick. At his funeral, thousands of poor people whom his family had never met lined the streets to mourn him. He was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1990, who called him the “Man of the Beatitudes.”
Their Legacy? Models of Modern Holiness
1. Ordinary Lives, Extraordinary Love
Both Carlo and Pier Giorgio lived in a world familiar to us: one filled with school, friends, family, sports, and culture. Yet what set them apart was how they lived these ordinary aspects of life with extraordinary love and intentionality.
- Carlo used his computer skills not for vanity but for evangelization. He once said, “The Eucharist is my highway to heaven.”
- Pier Giorgio climbed mountains, but more importantly, climbed the interior heights of faith and virtue, saying, “Charity is not enough; we need social reform.”
Their lives show us that we do not need to be priests or religious to be saints. Holiness is possible in sneakers and hiking boots, in school hallways and online forums.
2. The Centrality of the Eucharist
For both young men, the Eucharist was the heartbeat of their spiritual lives. Carlo famously said:
“If we get in front of the sun, we get a suntan… but when we get in front of Jesus in the Eucharist, we become saints.”
Pier Giorgio would wake up early for Mass and stay late for adoration. His strength to serve came from this daily encounter with Christ.
In an age where belief in the Real Presence is waning, their example is a stirring call to rediscover the treasure of the Eucharist, not as a symbol, but as the living Jesus who transforms hearts.
3. Devotion to the Poor and Marginalized
Both saints lived with radical compassion. Pier Giorgio would give away his train fare to someone in need, even if it meant walking home. Carlo defended bullied classmates and shared his meals with the homeless.
Their faith was not abstract. It was embodied in service, in the dignity of every person, and in the joy of giving. They remind us that love for God must always overflow into love for others.
How They Inspire Our Own Spiritual Journey
1. Holiness Is for Everyone. Even Today
Many people today feel unworthy of holiness, or assume it’s unattainable in a modern, busy world. Carlo and Pier Giorgio show us the opposite: that sanctity is not about being perfect, but about being deeply in love with God and others.
They challenge us to ask:
- How do I live my faith in the everyday?
- Where is God calling me to serve?
- Can I be more intentional with how I use my time and talents?
2. Integrating Prayer and Action
The balance of contemplation and mission is a hallmark of Ignatian spirituality, and both young men lived this harmony beautifully.
- Carlo found God online, using the digital world for evangelization.
- Pier Giorgio found God on mountaintops and in the slums.
Their lives ask us: What is my “mission field”? Is it in my home, workplace, school, or online presence?
3. Youthful Joy and Courage
Both blessed young men radiated joy, even amidst suffering. Carlo faced cancer with peace and offered it for others. Pier Giorgio, though burdened with illness and family conflict, lived with contagious happiness.
They show us that Christian joy is not naïve optimism—it is rooted in hope, in trust in Christ’s victory over sin and death. As St. Ignatius would say, they lived “ad majorem Dei gloriam”—for the greater glory of God.
A Personal Invitation
Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati are not distant figures. They walk with us today. Their stories invite you to ask:
- Where is God calling me to deeper intimacy with Him?
- How can I bring Christ into the ordinary rhythms of my day?
- What unique gifts do I have to offer the world in love?
If you’re journeying through the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius, reflect on these lives during your meditations. Ask for their intercession. Imagine having them beside you on your retreat—young saints who understand both the struggles and beauty of being human in a modern world.
Their witness echoes a truth we often forget: Holiness is not an escape from life, but the fullness of it.
Closing Prayer
Blessed Carlo Acutis and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati,
Pray for us, that we might seek Christ in all things,
Love the Eucharist with new fervor,
Serve the poor with compassion,
And live with joy, courage, and deep trust in God’s plan.
Lead us on the path to Heaven,
That we too might be saints in sneakers. Amen.
