Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ – and in a special way, dear young people of our Diocese,
Another great way to rejoice and celebrate in this Jubilee Year, the Year of Hope, is the canonization of two remarkable young witnesses of faith: Carlo Acutis (1991–2006) and Pier Giorgio Frassati (1901–1925). On Sunday, September 7, Pope Leo XIV will canonize them in St. Peter’s Square.
Carlo, sometimes called “God’s geek,” used his talent in technology to spread devotion to the Eucharist, creating a website that gathered the stories of Eucharistic miracles around the world. He died at the age of 15, offering his suffering for the Pope and the Church.
Pier Giorgio, who died at 24, lived a life of joy, service, and compassion. An avid mountain climber, he was equally committed to helping the poor in his city, visiting the sick, and giving away much of what he owned.
Their canonizations are a great gift for the whole Church, but especially for you, our young people. They remind us that holiness is not something distant or unreachable—it is possible today, in the ordinary goodness of daily life, in kindness, generosity, and faithfulness to Jesus.
Please see the below official prayers to Saints Carlo and Pier Giorgio. I encourage all of you to pray through their intercession and share them with your families and friends.
Official Prayer to St. Carlo Acutis
O God, Our Father, we thank you for giving us Carlo Acutis, whose life is an example for young people and a message of love for everyone.
During his 15 years on earth, you made him fall in love with Your Son Jesus, making the Eucharist his “highway to heaven”. You gave him Mary as a beloved Mother, and with the Rosary, you made him a singer of her tenderness.
Receive his prayer for us. Above all, look upon the poor whom he loved and helped. Through the merits of this Angel of Youth, grant me the grace which
I earnestly seek (. . . ask for the grace which you seek). I ask this through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
Official Prayer to St. Pier Giorgio Frassati
Father, You gave to the young Pier Giorgio Frassati the joy of meeting Christ and of living his faith in service of the poor and the sick. Through his intercession, may we, too, walk the path of the Beatitudes and follow the example of his generosity, spreading the spirit of the Gospel in society.
We ask this through Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
Invitation from Bishop Joseph to the young people of our Diocese
Also, I extend a very special invitation to our young people: join me at St. Dunstan’s Basilica on November 21–22, 2025, for our World Youth Day at Home.
This weekend for youth will be led by visiting religious priests and sisters who will lead a powerful weekend of prayer, reflection, Eucharistic adoration, testimonies, group activities, and music.
The celebrations will conclude with the veneration of the relics of Saint Carlo Acutis and Mass presided by me, your bishop.
More information will follow soon.
May Saints Carlo and Pier Giorgio inspire us all—and especially our young people—to love Christ more deeply and to live our faith with joy and courage.
With prayerful best wishes,
Most Rev. Joseph Dabrowski, CSMA
Bishop of Charlottetown
Here, you can read the biography of the two saints.