In June, the Vatican accounced that Blessed Carlo Acutis' canonisation will be held on 7 September, alongside Blessed Pier Giogio Frassati. This follows the initial postponement on the announcement of Pope Francis' death.
The canonisation of these two young saints, one from the early twentieth century, the other the first twenty-first century saint, is an occasion of great joy, especially given Bl Carlo's connections to the Diocese of Westminster.
Born at the Portland Clinic in 1991, he was baptised in Our Lady of Dolours, Fulham Road. His grandparents, Carlo Acutis and Maria Perlowska, were married in Westminster Cathedral in 1963. In welcoming the initial announcement, Bishop Nicholas Hudson expressed that Bl Carlo's grandparents, 'would have been deeply moved, surely, to know that two thousand people gathered in this same Cathedral to venerate the relic of their grandson.'
The following events are being held, to give people a chance to celebrate the canonisation:
Canonisation in Rome
Bishop Nicholas will lead a delegation from the Diocese to be present at the Canonisation of Blessed Carlo Acutis in St Peter’s, Rome, on Sunday 7th September
Mass of Thanksgiving
Cardinal Vincent Nichols will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving for the Canonisation of St Carlo Acutis in Our Lady of Dolours church, Fulham Road, on Saturday 13th September at 3.00 p.m.
Eucharistic Festival
There will be Eucharistic Festival on Saturday 11 October with Cardinal Vincent Nichols in Westminster Cathedral including Veneration of a Relic of the newly canonised St Carlo Acutis. More details about this will be forthcoming in due course.
Blessed Carlo Acutis, pray for us.
Image: Mazur/cbcew.org.uk
