By Jessica Easthope
Praying for life and that young people are inspired to create change: that’s the mission of a rosary rally for Blessed Carlo Acutis that began Thursday, Oct. 7, at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Bayside, Queens.
“This is one of the evils of our society,” said Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio. “That we’re snuffing out life before it even sees the light of day and that’s why we pray that young people especially who are looking for a better way of life will see the way of the Church is the best way.”
Right now, across the country, the fight for life is ongoing. Especially with the recent setback to the Heartbeat Law in Texas, officials in the Diocese of Brooklyn are looking to Blessed Carlo to show students they can make a difference.
“His devotion to life comes through his devotion to the body and blood of Christ,” said Father Joseph Gibino, Vicar for Evangelization and Catechesis. “He is an example of what happens when we revive our devotion to the Eucharist because then we grow in respect for all of God’s creation and all life everywhere.”
Carlo Acutis died as a teenager of leukemia, but in his short life he was dedicated to the Eucharist, creating a website compiling all of the Eucharistic miracles. A first-class relic, a few pieces of Acutis’ hair arrived in the Diocese of Brooklyn this summer. Monsignor Thomas Machalski requested the relic, he says one of his favorite quotes of Blessed Carlo “all people are born as originals but many die as photocopies” shows us all we should respect God’s plan for life.
“That was basically saying to people, remember you’re created as a unique individual in the image and likeness of God,” Msgr. Machalski said. “God has a purpose for you, fulfill that purpose.”
Students had the chance to venerate the relic after saying the rosary, hoping it will allow them to see clearly that they too can fight for life the way Carlo did and maybe even become a saint.
You too can witness the holiness of Blessed Carlo Acutis. The relic of the first possible millennial saint will be traveling from school to school in the Diocese of Brooklyn.
We’ll let you know where it’ll head next, right here on Currents News, or online at currentsny.tv.
Stay tuned!