Originally, Blessed Frassati’s canonization Mass was tentatively scheduled for Aug. 3 to coincide with the Vatican’s Jubilee of Youth, and Blessed Acutis’ was set for April 27 during the Jubilee of Teenagers. However, due to Pope Francis’ passing on April 21, postponements were necessary. During an ordinary public consistory with cardinals on June 13, Pope Leo XIV approved Sept. 7 as the date the two will be “enrolled among the saints.”

Pier Giorgio Frassati

Blessed Frassati was born at the sunrise of the 20th century on April 6, 1901, in Turin, Italy. The first-born son of Alfredo, a newspaper owner and politician, and Adelaide Ametis, an artist, Blessed Frassati, along with his younger sister Luciana, was well provided for in his youth. Beyond his societal status, however, Blessed Frassati’s richness of faith came courtesy of his mother.

His affinity for the poor was evident at a young age, with one instance involving the very young Frassati giving the shoes off his tiny feet to the baby of a mother in need. Later in his childhood, he was educated by the Jesuits, which not only introduced him to Ignatian spirituality but also deepened his relationship with his faith through the Eucharist.

In 1918, Blessed Frassati pursued a degree in mechanical engineering with a specialization in mining, but his decision was not for the typical reasons. He didn’t see the profession as a means to wealth; rather, he knew his training would enable him "to serve Christ better among the miners."

It was also during this time that Blessed Frassati joined a St. Vincent de Paul conference, which provided yet another avenue for the future saint to be “face to face” with the poor. While he selflessly gave of himself, he often noted, "Charity is not enough; we need social reform." In response to his belief, in 1919, he joined the FUCI (Italian Catholic University Federation) and participated in Catholic Action, which was a lay movement advocating for a Catholic influence on society oftentimes through politics.

Although Blessed Frassati considered a vocation to the priesthood, he ultimately became a professed member of the Third Order of St. Dominic in 1922, taking the religious name Friar Girolamo.

In addition to his good works, Blessed Frassati was well known for his love of God’s creation. He loved mountaineering, swimming, and going to operas, plays, and museums. It was during one of his many outdoor adventures that Blessed Frassati fell ill. On June 30, 1925, while boating with friends, he complained of sharp back pains. His condition worsened, and on the evening of July 4, he passed away as a result of contracting polio. To the disbelief of his family, for his funeral, the streets of Turin were lined with those he had helped. It was those same people who in 1932 successfully petitioned the archbishop of Turin to open the cause for Frassati’s sainthood.

Over five decades later, Pope St. John Paul II celebrated the Mass of Beatification of Blessed Frassati on May 20, 1990. In his homily, the pope quoted St. Peter: “Adore the Lord, Christ, in your hearts, always ready to answer anyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you." (1 Pt 3, 15) He went on to remark, “In our century, Pier Giorgio Frassati … embodied in his own life these words of St. Peter. The power of the Spirit of truth, united with Christ, has made him a modern witness of hope, which flows from the Gospel, and of the grace of salvation working in the heart of man. He thus became the living witness and the courageous defender of this hope on behalf of the young Christians of the twentieth century. … He testifies that holiness is possible for all and that only the revolution of charity can ignite in the hearts of men the hope of a better future.”

Carlo Acutis

While living in London, half-English, half-Italian father Andrea Acutis and Italian mother Antonia Salzano welcomed their first and only child, Carlo, on May 3, 1991. The couple relocated to Italy when young Blessed Acutis was less than a year old, settling in Milan. Even though not religious, the two parents decided to educate their child at institutions run by Catholic religious orders, which opened the door for the future saint to receive the sacraments of the Church. After receiving his first Holy Communion, the young Acutis longed to receive Jesus daily, proclaiming the Eucharist as his “highway to Heaven.”

During time away from school, Blessed Acutis would spend time in Assisi, learning about St. Francis of Assisi and St. Clara and praying the Rosary daily. Once confirmed, Blessed Acutis became a catechist at his local parish in Milan. While in high school, studying under Jesuit priests, he was able to exercise his love for computers and the internet and created websites not only for his parish but also for his school.

Putting his relationship with Christ first was paramount for Blessed Acutis, and he was able to utilize his God-given gifts to share that relationship with the world. In 2004, he launched a website detailing Eucharistic miracles. Having a special devotion to the Blessed Mother, he also maintained a list of approved Marian apparitions. For two and a half years, he worked on the website and developed a photographic exhibition, which was unveiled on the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, Oct. 4, just days before his death. His efforts exemplify his main goal to evangelize, bringing people back to God through his authentic love of the faith and his use of digital communication.

Blessed Acutis became ill in early October, but he was thought to only have a severe case of the flu. As his condition worsened, further tests revealed an aggressive form of leukemia. Through his short yet painful illness, he offered his sufferings for Pope Benedict XVI and for the Church. His hope in the Lord was evident in his final words to his mother: "Mom, don't be afraid. Since Jesus became a man, death has become the passage towards life, and we don't need to flee it. Let us prepare ourselves to experience something extraordinary in the eternal life." Blessed Acutis died on Oct. 12, 2007, after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage.

Blessed Acutis’ beatification rite took place in the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi on Oct. 10, 2020. Cardinal Agostino Vallini, representing Pope Francis, celebrated the Mass. During his homily, the cardinal reflected, “He was an ordinary boy, simple, spontaneous, likeable … he loved nature and animals, he played football, he had many friends of his age, he was attracted by modern means of social communication, passionate about computer science and, self-taught, he built websites to transmit the Gospel, to communicate values and beauty. … He testified that faith does not take us away from life, but immerses us more deeply in it, indicating the concrete way to live the joy of the Gospel. It's up to us to walk it, attracted by the fascinating experience of Blessed Carlo, so that our life too can shine with light and hope.”

Although born 90 years apart, the Holy Father’s choice to canonize the two Italians together seems quite fitting. It is true that both Blessed Frassati and Blessed Acutis were laymen and lived on this earth for only a short period of time, but the most compelling commonality between the two is that their lives of deep faith provide a witness to young people that holiness and hope are possible, even in today’s world.

For more information about Jubilee 2025

Please visit the diocesan website, www.bhmdiocese.org/jubilee-2025. The site provides parish staff and the faithful with access to various Vatican documents and general Jubilee 2025 information, including calendars, FAQs, indulgence FAQs, and resources. For more information on the diocesan pilgrimage sites, please visit www.bhmdiocese.org/diocesan-sites.

Jubilees during September and October:

Sept. 15

Jubilee of Consolation

Sept. 20

Jubilee of Justice

Sept. 26-28

Jubilee of Catechists

Oct. 4-5

Jubilee of Missions

Oct. 4-5

Jubilee of Migrants

Oct. 8-9

Jubilee of Consecrated Life

Oct. 11-12

Jubilee of Marian Spirituality

Oct. 18

Jubilee of Roma, Sinti, and Travelling Peoples

Oct. 27-Nov. 2

Jubilee of the World of Education