More than 100 faithful from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia traveled to Italy this spring. They had planned to attend the April 27 canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis, the first saint from the Millennial generation.
Plans shifted suddenly to the death of Pope Francis on April 21. Yet in God’s timing, the disruption opened the door to new spiritual experiences.
Chester County’s Malvern Retreat House – home to the official Shrine of Blessed Carlo Acutis in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia – had worked in conjunction with the archdiocese to coordinate the April pilgrimage to Italy, and had also planned a simulcast event on the retreat house grounds for at least 600 participants to watch the live canonization.
Mary Bea Damico, a board member and shrine coordinator, was already in Italy when news of Pope Francis’ death was announced.
I try to live in God’s divine will,” she said. “So I thought, He has something else planned for us.”
Many pilgrims instead attended the funeral of Pope Francis later that week, and they “were deeply moved by that funeral,” said Damico.
The funeral drew world leaders and dignitaries, Church hierarchy, and faithful from around the globe – including representatives from the marginalized communities to whom Pope Francis showed much love and dedication.
Before returning home, Damico and her family toured the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel, and prayed together for the protection of the conclave and that God’s will be done in the selection of the next pope.
On May 8, white smoke billowed from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, signaling the end of the papal conclave and with it, the election of American Cardinal Robert Prevost, as the new head of the Catholic Church, taking the papal name Pope Leo XIV.
On June 13, the Vatican announced that Pope Leo XIV would canonize both Blessed Carlo Acutis and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati on Sept. 7 in Rome.
Upon hearing the announcement of the new canonization date, Damico contacted Father Stephen DeLacy, vicar of Faith Formation with Youth and Young Adults in the archdiocese, and they began planning a second pilgrimage.
The September group — already filled with 70 pilgrims total – including Archbishop Nelson Pérez and Bishop Keith Chylinski –will depart Sept. 3 for the next pilgrimage.
Only some of the 70 pilgrims took part in the April pilgrimage, while others are making the trip for the first time.
The group will spend two nights in Assisi, “to be really united with Carlo,” said Damico. His remains rest in Assisi’s Church of Santa Maria Maggiore.
From Assisi, pilgrims will then travel to Rome for the Sept. 7 canonization.
Back in the U.S., Damico also replanned the Malvern Retreat House simulcast for the same day Sept 7, from 3:00 to 6:30 a.m. Eastern Time. She says she expects 1,000 attendees.
Faithful will watch the broadcast on a large screen in the retreat house courtyard. They are invited to bring lawn chairs, blankets, coffee, and snacks.
Mass will be celebrated at 3:30 a.m., followed by the canonization broadcast at 4:30 a.m. Father Michael Herlihey, O.F.M., Cap., will serve as master of ceremonies.
“When it’s announced that Carlo and Pier Giorgio are officially canonized, there will be a big celebration on the lawn,” said Damico.
The joint canonization marks a significant pairing: a young, tech-savvy millennial and a compassionate young man from the early 20th century. Both embodied a vibrant faith and dedication to Christ and service to others, qualities that continue to inspire Catholics worldwide.
Each has devoted followers in the archdiocese, says Damico, with Pier Giorgio appealing to young adults and Carlo appealing to children, particularly middle and high school students.
Recalling the 2023 visit of Antonia Acutis to the Malvern Retreat House shrine dedicated to her son, Damico remembers Acutis saying she believed “the greatest part of Carlo’s mission is the salvation of the youth of America.”
Reflecting on her words, and on the election of an American pope, Damico shared a renewed sense of hope. “America may become a light for the world,” she said.
For more information about the simulcast event, visit: https://www.malvernretreat.com/events/st-carlo-acutis-canonization-simulcast/ .
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