On September 7, 2025, the Catholic Church will canonize Blessed Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati, elevating two modern figures seen as powerful symbols of youthful holiness.

According to CNA, their canonizations aim to offer practical role models for young Catholics by showcasing ordinary lives lived with extraordinary faith, courage, and purpose in today’s world.

This moment marks a continuation of the Church’s decades-long mission to engage younger generations by presenting saints whose lives reflect current realities rather than distant, mystical experiences.

Two Modern Lives Celebrated for Holiness

Pier Giorgio Frassati, born in Italy in 1901, was beatified in 1990 by Pope John Paul II and has served as an official World Youth Day patron since 2002. Known for his deep faith, social activism, and joyful demeanor, Frassati embodied a spirituality rooted in action and service.

Carlo Acutis, who died in 2006 at age 15, gained global attention for using technology to spread Catholic teachings, particularly through an online database on Eucharistic miracles. His innovative approach to evangelization has positioned him as a relatable figure for digital-age Catholics.

Frassati’s remains have traveled outside Italy for major World Youth Day events, including those held in Sydney in 2008 and Krakow in 2016. Similarly, devotion to Acutis surged during World Youth Day 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, highlighting their growing influence among Catholic youth.

Miracle and Mission: The Road to Sainthood

Central to Acutis's canonization is a miraculous healing attributed to him involving Matheus Vianna, a Brazilian boy who suffered from a rare pancreatic disorder. The healing, deemed medically inexplicable by the Vatican, fulfilled the requirement for sainthood.

Acutis died on October 12, which coincides with the feast day of Our Lady of Aparecida, Brazil’s patron saint—further deepening his connection to the Brazilian faithful. His death at a young age, faced with hopeful resolve, continues to impact those seeking spiritual inspiration through ordinary trials.

Frassati, meanwhile, has been praised for integrating his Catholic beliefs into everyday life. Often seen helping the poor, advocating for justice, and engaging in cultural life, his short life left a lasting legacy on those who value faith in action.

Pope John Paul II Set the Modern Stage

The path leading to this dual canonization traces back to Pope John Paul II’s emphasis on youth within the Church. In 1984, during the Jubilee Year of Redemption, he entrusted the Jubilee Cross to young Catholics and told them they had not only the right but also the duty to confront modern challenges.

Speaking at a youth gathering that year, he urged them to resist destructive societal forces, which he described as part of a growing “culture of death.” He asserted that young believers had a prophetic role, capable of challenging injustice and sustaining Christian values.

The following year marked the establishment of World Youth Day, during which John Paul II again addressed young people as agents of transformation, calling them to live out Gospel values with courage and authenticity.

Accessible Examples for Everyday Life

Leticia Arráez, a communications scholar at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome, highlighted the significance of canonizing saints who resonate with young people's current experiences. She said the Church is intentionally choosing figures who make Christian life feel attainable.

“Their canonization confirms that holiness is not an abstract ideal but can manifest itself in contemporary ways,” Arráez said. She explained this could be through studies, family life, friendships, and even through illness, if embraced with hope and faith.

Arráez also emphasized that both Acutis and Frassati represent how ordinary youth can live lives of deep meaning. Rather than promoting a mystical or martyrdom-based path, their stories demonstrate faith as part of the daily human experience.

Technology Meets Tradition in Saintly Models

Frassati’s focus on social issues and Acutis’s use of the internet to evangelize reflect two unique yet complementary approaches to living out faith in contemporary form. Arráez noted that these qualities make them exceptional yet relatable figures for younger generations navigating today's complex world.

“Through [Acutis and Frassati] the Church demonstrates that holiness… is possible at a young age and does not require extraordinary conditions,” Arráez said. She added that living faithfully today involves an authentic lifestyle grounded in Gospel teachings.

Their lives, she asserted, reinforce the Second Vatican Council’s declaration that all are called to holiness, including students, workers, or anyone striving to live with purpose in today’s environment.

Canonizations to Be Broadcast Globally

The events celebrating their sainthood will be covered extensively by Catholic media. EWTN will air previews and in-depth analysis on September 5, and the canonization ceremonies will be streamed live on YouTube to ensure global access for all who wish to join remotely.

The Church’s renewed focus on saints who lived recently and led relatable lives seeks to rekindle spiritual engagement. Particularly among youth, there is a noticeable shift toward seeking guides whose lives parallel their own.

As the Catholic faithful prepare to commemorate this milestone on September 7, the Church continues its mission to align the search for holiness with the realities of 21st-century life. In the stories of Acutis and Frassati, many see not just inspiration, but possibility.