Two people set be canonized Sept. 7 demonstrate that one is never too young — and by the same token, too old — to serve the Lord, said Father Joseph Bambenek, who is leading the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis’ Office for the Renewal of Structures.
The two are Blesseds Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati, Father Bambenek said on the “Practicing Catholic” radio program set to debut at 9 p.m. July 11 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM.
Blessed Carlo Acutis died at age 15 of leukemia in 2006 and is known for using the internet to help bring people to Christ in the Eucharist. Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati died 100 years ago at age 24 and was beloved for the way he brought people to Jesus through the outdoors and his service to the poor.
“The beauty of the saints is not just that they can pray for us in heaven, but they can serve as witnesses to us,” Father Bambenek told “Practicing Catholic” host Patrick Conley. “It can be a powerful reminder that I can do something. My life, even as a young person, is important and the Church has recognized it as important, and I can do something great.”
Father Bambenek said he has personal reasons to remember the two young people in a special way. Blessed Carlo Acutis died in October 2006, “barely a month into my time as a seminarian.” And Father Bambenek shares an April 6 birthday with Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati.
In his interview, Conley pointed out that young people are excited about these two soon-to-be saints. But it can be hard on families to lose loved ones who are young.
“Maybe just give us a couple of moments about what is that like, and how do you walk with people who have lost a child?” Conley asked.
To hear Father Bambenek’s sensitive and pastoral response, tune into “Practicing Catholic,” which repeats at 1 p.m. July 12 and 2 p.m. July 13.
Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the latest show also includes interviews with Bishop Michael Izen and Kate Soucheray, a licensed marriage and family therapist emeritus and a member of St. Ambrose in Woodbury.
