C&SI - Canonization of Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati, the First Saints of Pope Leo XIV - 7 Sept 2025 (S05E39)

This weekend sees the canonisation of Blessed Carlo Acutis and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati )by Pope Leo XIV. It will be the first canonisation of his pontificate and of two very popular young saints.

Carlo Acutis was born in 1991 and raised in Milan. He used his tech skills to evangelize and was noted for his joyful faith and compassion for others before dying of leukemia in 2006 at age 15.

Pier Frassati, born in 1901 into a prominent family in Turin, Italy, was admired for his deep spirituality, love for the poor and enthusiasm for life. A member of the Dominican Third Order, he served the sick through the St. Vincent de Paul Society. He died at age 24 after contracting polio, possibly from one of the people he assisted.

The canonisation of Carlo was supposed to take place in April but was postponed due to the death of Pope Francis. On this weeks programme/podcast we have an interview with Bishop Brendan Leahy about Carlo Acutis which was due to have been broadcast for the canonisation in which Bishop Brendan shares with us the story of Carlo and his thoughts on the witness that Carlo provides to the world today and young people in particular. 

In part one we have our regular run through the liturgical odds and ends including the saints of the up coming week. We also have something a little new! Each month we include the Pope's prayer intention for that month but as of this month you will be able to listen to Pope Leo XIV himself in a recording telling us what the prayer intention will be. 

In part three we have our regular reflection on the Sunday gospel which is from Luke 14:25-33 with Jesus teaching about how discipleship calls for detachment.