Gulf Pine Catholic

Gulf Pine Catholic • October 16, 2020 23 Notes 1. Veritatis Splendor , no. 52. Copyright © 2016, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington DC. All rights reserved. Quotes from the Catechism of the Catholic Church , Second Edition, copyright © 2000, Libreria Editrice Vaticana–United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. Quote from Veritatis Splendor , copyright © 1993, Libreria Editrice Vaticana (LEV), Vatican City State. Used with permission. All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-30137-545-2 Publication No. 7-545 Forming Consciences for Faith Citizenship Part II From page 22 Known as the site where a young St. Francis renounced his father’s inheritance and embraced pov- erty, the shrine -- like the city of Assisi and St. Francis himself -- held a special place in Acutis’ heart. The teen loved St. Francis “very much,” his mother, Antonia Salzano, told Catholic News Service Oct. 9. St. Francis “was a very Eucharistic soul who used to attend Mass twice a day,” and her son sought to imitate that same Eucharistic devotion throughout his brief life. Archbishop Domenico Sorrentino of Assisi reflect- ed on the link between the two saintly figures, and proclaimed that by “providential design, (St.) Francis and (Blessed) Carlo are now inseparable.” “Carlo’s life -- always united to Jesus -- his love for the Eucharist, his devotion to the Holy Virgin, his mak- ing friends with the poor, brought him closer to the spirituality of the Poor One,” St. Francis, Archbishop Sorrentino said at the end of Mass. “Both invite us to live according to the Gospel.” The liturgy was held inside the Basilica of St. Francis, but measures to prevent the spread of COVID- 19 meant that most of those attending sat outside on seats set three-feet apart, watching on big screens. Many young men and women came to Assisi for the beatification. For many of them, the fact that a normal teen could be beatified was a source of hope and inspi- ration. “With his life, Carlo made me see that despite the small or even great difficulties -- like his illness -- that we could live a full and happy life if we keep our eyes looking up toward heaven,” said 19-year-old Rosanna, who was among those attending the beatification. In his homily, Cardinal Vallini said that Acutis’ beatification “in the land of Francis of Assisi is good news, a strong proclamation that a young man of our time, one like many, was conquered by Christ and became a beacon of light for those who want to know him and follow his example.” Reflecting on the teen’s life, Cardinal Vallini said that like most young people his age, Carlo was a “nor- mal, simple, spontaneous, friendly” teenager who used modern forms of communication to transmit the “val- ues and beauty of the Gospel.” For him, “the internet was not just a means of escape, but a space for dialogue, knowledge, sharing and mutual respect that was to be used responsibly, without becoming slaves to it and rejecting digital bul- lying,” the cardinal said. Cardinal Vallini said that Blessed Acutis was a model of virtue for young men and women today, reminding them not to seek “gratification only in ephemeral successes but in the perennial values that Jesus proposes in the Gospel.” “He gave witness that faith does not distance us from life but immerses us more deeply in it and showed us the concrete way to live the joy of the Gospel,” the cardinal said. “It is up to us to follow it, attracted by the fascinating experience of Blessed Carlo, so that our lives may also shine with light and hope.” Acutis Beatification Mass From page 8 A Prayer During Times of a Pandemic May we who are merely inconvenienced, remember those whose lives are at stake. May we who have no risk factors, remember those most vulnerable. May we who have the luxury of working from home, remember those who must choose between preserving their health or making the rent. May we who have the flexibility to care for our children when their schools close, remember those who have no options. May we who have to cancel our trips, remember those who have no place to go. May we who are losing our marginal income in the tumult of the ecomonic market, remember those who have no margin at all. May we who settle in for a quarantine at home, remember those who have no home. During this time when we cannot physically wrap our arms around each other, let us find ways to be the loving embrace of God to our neighbors. Amen. A reliquary containing the heart of Carlo Acutis is pictured in this photo released by the Diocese of Assisi- Nocera Umbra- Gualdo Tadino Oct. 10. The Italian teen, who had a great love for the Eucharist, was beatified in Assisi Oct. 10. CNS photo/courtesy Diocese of Assisi- Nocera Umbra- Gualdo Tadino