A diocesan woman said the canonization change in date to Sept. 7 for Ss. Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati might be because of her.
St. Carlo’s canonization was originally set for last April but changed due to the death of Pope Francis. St. Pier Giorgio’s canonization was set for early August. Both dates were changed to a joint canonization on Sunday, Sept. 7.
Marsha Forson, who recently moved to Columbus and serves as associate director at the Catholic Conference of Ohio, prayed that the two now-saints would be canonized together.
And, it appears, the Lord heard her prayers.
“Some people were maybe a little bit disappointed with having to change their travel plans, but I’m like, sorry, it was probably my fault,” Forson said with a smile.
Getting to be present for the canonization of both of the Church’s newest saints was a blessing.
Forson’s first encounter with St. Pier Giorgio Frassati was nearly 10 years ago while working for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in Washington. The Dominican House of Studies next door, which provides theological education for ordained ministry in the Dominican order, had a relic of Frassati, a lay Dominican.
Forson later worked at the USCCB’s migration and refugee services.
“Carlo Acutis’ mother, Antonia, visited, and it was really convicting to hear her perspective on how her son’s sanctity changed her life and the life of so many people,” she recalled.
St. Carlo Acutis (1991-2006) was raised in Milan, Italy, and died of leukemia at age 15. He had a devotion to the Eucharist – attending Mass daily and spending hours in Eucharistic devotion.
He created a website documenting Eucharistic miracles around the world. The project became a traveling exhibit, inspiring many today to deepen their devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.
St. Pier Giorgio (1901-1925), also an Italian, had a deep spiritual life. He attended daily Mass, prayed fervently and practiced charitable works through organizations such as the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
Frassati loved the outdoors and spent time mountain climbing and on excursions with friends. He died from polio at age 24, thought to be contracted by serving the sick.
Forson considers both young men an inspiration.
“Their mutual commitment to the Church, to the poor, their fidelity, and just their example as being saints in more modern times that we could relate to, has really impacted me very much,” she said.
“Every year I pick a ‘saint of the year,’ and Pier Giorgio was mine (this year).”
Before arriving in Rome for the canonization, Forson spent time in Assisi, where St. Carlo Acutis is buried. Carlo’s remains are covered in a wax coating and exposed for veneration.
Forson encountered many pilgrims from across the world who were equally inspired by St. Carlo. She then set off to Rome a few days before the canonization.
She recalled arriving at 6 a.m. for the canonization Mass set to begin at 10 a.m. Numerous people packed streets around the Vatican, waiting to enter St. Peter’s Square, which was standing room only.
An estimated 70,000 people gathered in the square to witness the canonization. The atmosphere could be described as “very crowded, very hot, very uncomfortable,” Forson recalled.
“Despite the discomfort, it was truly a penitential experience. I joke that it might be my first and last canonization – at least in the summer.”
The Mass was said in Italian with Latin Mass parts. The canonization formula was proclaimed in Latin. Some readings were spoken in English.
St. Carlo’s younger brother, Michele, read the first reading, and his younger sister, Francesca, carried the gifts to the altar with her brother and parents. The twins were born four years to the day after Carlo’s death.
Family members of St. Pier Giorgio Frassati, who died a century ago, including his 93-year-old niece, Giovanna Gilardini, attended a Mass in Turin, Italy, earlier this summer on Frassati’s feast day, July 4.
During the canonization Mass, the Litany of the Saints was chanted. A cardinal read a short biography of the life of the saints and presented them to Pope Leo XIV. Relics of Ss. Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati were brought forward for veneration.
The saints were the first to be canonized by Pope Leo XIV since becoming pontiff.
“The moment that Pope Leo declared them saints, I just remember experiencing great peace and joy, like a happiness that I don’t think I’ve known,” Forson said. “I think it was one of the best moments of my life, even though it was super, super uncomfortable.
“At the moment of the consecration, there was silence over the entire crowd, and that was really beautiful to remember the main thing and the unifying force that the Eucharist is. The reverence for that was really special – a tribute to the Lord – but I think also to these two men.”
Forson admires how both saints placed the Eucharist at the center of their lives.
She said placing the Eucharist at the core is central to her work at the Catholic Conference of Ohio.
The Conference represents the Church’s position before the Ohio General Assembly, various state departments, bureaus, agencies and other organizations. Eucharistic devotion is closely tied to its work.
Promoting justice and peace, which the Catholic Conference strives to do in the Buckeye State, also aligns with the efforts of St. Pier Giorgio, who was involved in social causes. Forson wanted to attend the canonization, in large part, she noted, to ask for St. Pier Giorgio’s intercession for her work.
She considers both saints to be signs of hope.
“In a time of so much difficulty and darkness and challenges, I think they shine a particular light,” she said. “I’ve known them personally to be very powerful intercessors, so I think folks turning to them won’t be disappointed.”
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