More than a million faithful Catholics have been flocking to St. Mary Major Church in Assisi, Italy, over the last several months to venerate the relics of soon-to-be St. Carlo Acutis.
The Catholic Church’s first millennial saint will be canonized during a Mass in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, April 27.
Many pilgrims will visit the medieval Umbrian town on a quick day trip from Rome for that special experience of being close to a new and very young saint. But there is much more to see and do in Assisi and in and around central Italy related to Carlo Acutis when it comes to his love for St. Francis.
So, if you’re planning a pilgrimage to Italy later this month for the canonization during the Jubilee of Teenagers, here are five must-dos that will help you make the most of this momentous and spiritually significant occasion. These activities may not be part of your pilgrimage itinerary, but they’re worth the little bit of effort it would take to incorporate them into your Jubilee journey; they will help you grow even further in your faith as well as boost your appreciation for both Carlo Acutis and St. Francis of Assisi.
1. Allow time for prayer and reflection inside and outside of St. Mary Major in Assisi. Friar Enzo Fortunato, who, before being named the head of the committee for World’s Children’s Day, served as the press secretary for the General Custody of the Sacred Convent of St. Francis, explains that Francis and Carlo, though separated by many centuries, have a great deal in common. The Church where Carlo is buried marks the spot where St. Francis renounced his possessions and worldly lifestyle.
In a recent Associated Press interview, Friar Fortunato explained that “denial of privilege is a parallel with St. Francis,” as Carlo was so dedicated to the saint and during his short life often helped those less fortunate. Carlo, who was born in London into a wealthy family and raised in fashionable Milan, encouraged his family to donate to the poor.
Friar Fortunato also said even Francis’ insistence on leaving the churches and going to the squares to preach is a nod to Carlo’s understanding that today’s public venues, especially for young people, are online. Francis went to the people in his own day and age, and so did Carlo. “That’s where youth are, that’s where people are, so he lives and brings the Gospel in those squares. That’s one of the reasons why he will become the patron of the web, Internet and social media,” the friar stated.
And St. Francis, although often only identified as a lover of creation, loved Christ in the Eucharist so much so that his early works of charity were spent repairing and cleaning up churches, such as San Damiano in Assisi, so that they would be deemed worthy of the Real Presence. Carlo Acutis, known as “God’s influencer,” used his technological skills to spread information online about Eucharistic miracles.
2. Don’t miss Assisi’s historic Cathedral of San Rufino…continue reading at the National Catholic Register.
