Tag: Eucharist Saint Booklet

1991-2006

Feast day: Oct. 12

The Italian teenager Blessed Carlo Acutis has captivated Catholics young and old in recent years, especially since his 2020 beatification. Although only 15 when he died of leukemia, Carlo was resolved to prioritize his life around the Eucharist. Each day found him attending Mass and spending time in prayer before the Eucharistic Lord. He believed, as he put it, “the Eucharist is my highway to heaven.” And he endeavored to share this reality with others, with a focus on Eucharistic miracles, through his virtual and online apostleship.

Born in London to wealthy Italian parents, Carlo returned to his family’s native Italy not long after his birth. Although his family was not very active in the practice of the Faith, Carlo was fascinated by it. He found in his Polish babysitter a helpful guide to his growing interest in Catholicism. As a boy, Carlo’s recently deceased grandfather appeared to him in a dream asking for prayers on his behalf. After receiving his first holy Communion at age 7, Carlo made it a point to spend time in contemplation before the tabernacle. Carlo’s guides in the spiritual life, among others, included St. Francis of Assisi, St. Dominic Savio and St. Bernadette Soubirous. And he reflected their respective love for the poor, virtuous living and piety.

“I’m happy to die because I’ve lived my life without wasting even a minute of it doing things that wouldn’t have pleased God.”

Although he might have been somewhat unusual in his youthful zeal for the Faith, Carlo was also very much interested in things of his peers, such as his love for video games and films. He was by all accounts a “computer geek” who studied college textbooks on the subject as early as age 9. But Carlo recognized that his talents and interests in the field must be used for good. He set limits to his use of media for personal enjoyment. Carlo’s mother has said: “Carlo was the light answer to the dark side of the web. My son’s life can show how the internet can be used for good — to spread good things.”

This meant Carlo was resolved to make use of his tech-savviness for the good of others. From age 9, he was reading college texts on computer coding. He developed websites for his high school and nearby parishes. He also created a website that cataloged all the major Eucharistic miracles ever recorded.

CNS file photo by Bob Roller

Carlo’s generous spirit also could be seen in how he offered up his last suffering from leukemia for others, telling doctors that he knew others were suffering more than he. He said, “I offer to the Lord the sufferings that I will have to undergo for the pope and for the Church.” Although he wanted to make a pilgrimage to the sites of the Eucharistic miracles he helped others come to learn about, his declining health made it an impossibility. But, having loved to make pilgrimages to Assisi, Carlo’s body made one last pilgrimage there for burial after his death on Oct. 12, 2006.

Many began calling for his canonization not long after his death. On the fourth anniversary of his death, Carlo’s mother delivered twin babies at age 44, and she believed Carlo was interceding for her. She also claimed Carlo appeared to her in a dream and informed his mother of his upcoming beatification and that he would be canonized soon thereafter.

Just before his death at 15, Carlo said, “I’m happy to die, because I’ve lived my life without wasting even a minute of it doing things that wouldn’t have pleased God.” Although he died at a young age, Carlo’s personal holiness and discipleship left a lasting legacy. And his renown continues to grow. “To always be close to Jesus, that’s my life plan,” he was known to say. Now, through his witness, he inspires old and young alike to do the same.

Michael R. Heinlein is editor of OSV’s Simply Catholic. He writes from Indiana. Taken from the “Inspired by the Eucharist” saint booklet.

1910-97

Feast day: Sept. 5

Known for her heroic works of charity among “the poorest of the poor,” Mother Teresa often remarked that she and her sisters could not carry out their mission without daily, regular Eucharistic adoration. This simple, humble woman known to give her all for those on the margins and in most need recognized that it was Christ who strengthened her, and she needed to begin and end the day in adoration of his Eucharistic presence. It bore great fruit in her life, as she once remarked: “It has brought us so close to each other. We love each other better, but I think we love the poor with greater and deeper faith and love.”

This love prompted Agnes Bojaxhiu to leave home at 18, never to see her family again. She desired to be a missionary, joining the Loreto Sisters in Ireland in 1928. There she learned English, used to teach in the Indian missions where she arrived the following year. Agnes desired a religious name after Thérèse of Lisieux — the patroness of the missions.

“I was to leave the convent and help the poor while living among them. It was an order. To fail would have been to break the faith.”

CNS file photo by KNA

An educator in Calcutta, India, for nearly 20 years, eventually Teresa became headmistress of an affluent girls’ school. But her heart grew discontent with the poverty surrounding the convent. In 1946, she experienced what she described as a “call within a call” — that she was to leave behind her way of life and dedicate herself to the poorest of the poor. “I was to leave the convent and help the poor while living among them. It was an order. To fail would have been to break the faith,” she said. By 1948, she set out from the Loreto convent — adopting a new white sari habit with blue stripes — caring for those in the slums. Within a year, other women asked to join her work. This laid the foundation for a new religious congregation she called the Missionaries of Charity. Their ministry, in Teresa’s words, would consist of caring for “the hungry, the naked, the homeless, the crippled, the blind, the lepers, all those people who feel unwanted, unloved, uncared for throughout society, people that have become a burden to the society and are shunned by everyone.” Through this ministry, she would become known as “Mother Teresa.”

Teresa was never comfortable with attention or notoriety on account of her work. She thought it would detract from Jesus, the one she credited with all her work. But media throughout the world still reported her story.

“By blood, I am Albanian. By citizenship, an Indian. By faith, I am a Catholic nun. As to my calling, I belong to the world. As to my heart, I belong entirely to the Heart of Jesus,” she said.

She traveled the world defending human rights and dignity. A tireless defender of life at all stages, she noted that “any country that accepts abortion is the poorest of the poor.”

CNS file photo by Arturo Mari

Teresa became a household name the world over, the recipient of numerous honors in recognition of her tireless and devoted service to the poor. In 1979, she won the Nobel Peace Prize, and she received American accolades such as the Presidential Medal of Freedom and one of only eight honorary U.S. citizens.

Mother Teresa died in Calcutta on Sept. 5, 1997. Pope St. John Paul II waived the mandatory five-year waiting period to open her cause of canonization. During that process, it was revealed that Mother Teresa had an extraordinary interior life, in which she experienced great spiritual suffering and desolation. Surviving correspondence with Teresa’s archbishop and others indicate she doubted God’s presence in her life. “The place of God in my soul is blank,” she wrote. “Sometimes — I just hear my own heart cry out, ‘My God,’ and nothing else comes — the torture and pain I can’t explain.” In caring for those who were crucified with Christ, she mystically shared in the agony of Calvary. She was canonized in 2016.

Michael R. Heinlein is editor of OSV’s Simply Catholic. He writes from Indiana. Taken from the “Inspired by the Eucharist” saint booklet.

1895-1979

Feast day: Dec. 9

Venerable Fulton J. Sheen is remembered as one of the most influential and innovative evangelists in American history. Once dubbed “God’s microphone,” Sheen announced God’s truth to untold millions through radio, print and television.

Sheen’s many successes in his mission grew from his love for the Eucharist. He once said that “the greatest love story of all time is contained in a tiny white host.” This was the love that transformed him, making him an effective evangelist and Gospel witness. Throughout his 60-year priesthood, Sheen sought to conform himself more closely to Christ by observing a daily Eucharistic Holy Hour, what he called “the hour that makes my day.” From his office desk, through an open door, he could gaze upon the tabernacle at all times. His union with Christ enabled him to more fully, more accurately and more convincingly lead others to Christ in all he said and did. Sheen was a man of many talents and accomplishments, but it was Christ’s presence in the Eucharist that guided him to use them most effectively.

Born in El Paso, Illinois, on May 8, 1895, Sheen resolved to serve the Church as a priest from an early age. He was assigned to academic ministry following his ordination to the priesthood on Sept. 20, 1919, for the Diocese of Peoria.

“The greatest love story of all time is contained in a tiny white host.”

After studies in Europe, a promising future as a professor awaited Sheen. But his bishop tested his obedience by first sending him back to a parish in Peoria — a task he zealously accepted. In less than a year, though, Sheen landed a professorship at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C, where he taught for 25 years. During that time, he published more than half of his more than 60 books, informed by a lively and heroic faith.

And Sheen became a household name at this time, too — known as a prophetic truth-teller who spoke out on a host of issues, particularly the threats of communism — as host of “The Catholic Hour,” broadcast nationally from NBC Radio in New York.

Soon after being selected as director of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith in 1950, Sheen was appointed an auxiliary bishop of New York, and he was ordained in Rome on June 11, 1951. He began his work on behalf of the global missions with great energy, and his innovative efforts enabled him to evangelize at the same time.

CNS file photo

Beginning in 1952, Sheen proposed eternal truths each Tuesday evening to tens of millions via his “Life Is Worth Living” TV program, armed only with his charisma and intellect — and his famous cape and chalkboard. After his first year on the air, Sheen won an Emmy award for best television personality. Upon acceptance, he famously thanked his writers: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

Sheen battled various temptations and difficulties throughout his life, many of which came as the result of his fame. He understood his sufferings in light of God’s providence: “Christianity begins not with sunshine, but with defeat. During those days when my life was backed up against the cross, I began to know and to love it more.”

Despite his best efforts as bishop in Rochester, New York (1966-69), Sheen’s brief tenure was met with great resistance, resulting in a good deal of self-described failure. The temptations and sufferings Sheen faced purified him and intensified his union with Christ. He maintained, “God has been easy with me.” Toward the end of his life, writing in his autobiography, Sheen apologized for his failures, wondering, “Was I inspiring anyone to imitate Christ in the daily carrying of his cross?”

After nearly two years in and out of the hospital following open-heart surgery, Sheen died Dec. 9, 1979, in New York City, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. After a miracle attributed to his intercession was approved by Pope Francis in 2019, the Church awaits his beatification.

Michael R. Heinlein is editor of OSV’s Simply Catholic. He writes from Indiana. Taken from the “Inspired by the Eucharist” saint booklet.

1884-1971

Feast day: Nov. 26

A strong faith and industrious character came to Blessed James Alberione from his Italian farming family and provided the backbone for his legendary media apostleship. It also prepared him to establish numerous religious communities and gave him a zeal for souls.

After he initially expressed a desire to become a priest when in first grade, Alberione spent the rest of his childhood preparing for that goal. His vocation was confirmed and emboldened during an all-night Eucharistic vigil on New Year’s Eve, 1900, when Alberione heard a call to reinvigorate the Church’s mission in the new century, with an eye to the ever-developing field of media. “Particular enlightenment came from the Host,” he later wrote of that experience, “and a greater understanding of that invitation of Jesus, ‘venite ad me omnes’ [‘Come to me, all of you’ (Mt 11:28)].” The spirituality Alberione was later inspired to develop situates a Eucharistic Holy Hour, what he calls “the visit,” as a central part of each day. He described this time as “an audience or school where the disciple engages with the Divine Master.”

After his ordination to the priesthood in 1907, Alberione’s first years were spent in parish work and then as a spiritual director at the seminary at Alba, Italy. Fueled by a deep interior life, Alberione was filled with the zeal of the apostle St. Paul, who was the namesake, patron and intercessor of the apostolates he founded. His efforts began in 1914 with the foundation of the Society of St. Paul, a religious community for men. The following year, with the help of now Venerable Mother Thecla Merlo, he established the Daughters of St. Paul for women. In total, over the course of his 64 years of priesthood, Alberione established five religious institutes, several other secular institutes for diocesan priests and laity alike, and an association for lay cooperators.

“There is a strong family bond among us because we were all born from the Tabernacle. We all share the same spirit — namely, to live Jesus Christ and serve the Church.”

CC BY-SA 4.0

Together, all the foundations begun by Alberione constitute what’s known as the Pauline Family, whose spirituality is built upon the vision of the “media apostle.” “There is a strong family bond among us because we were all born from the Tabernacle,” he described. “We all share the same spirit — namely, to live Jesus Christ and serve the Church.” Also according to the “media apostle,” “the means of evangelization are varied but the method is one: to give Jesus Christ, Way, Truth and Life.” This ministry of evangelization is accomplished primarily through the media, in all its forms. Alberione guided this work and mission as a writer and publisher, as well as a director and producer of film.

Never really in robust health, Alberione experienced a spiritual darkness amid suffering related to tuberculosis. Thinking he would die, but later miraculously recovering, Alberione credited his healing to St. Paul. During this time, he also heard the Eucharistic Lord speak to him, saying: “Do not be afraid. I am with you. From here I want to enlighten. Be sorry for sins.”

By the time of the Second Vatican Council (1962-65), at which Alberione was a daily participant, the membership of his institutes had grown to more than 10,000. At the council, he played a part in the drafting of its decree on social communications, Inter Mirifica.

Alberione’s final years remained active, and, like St. Paul, he traveled the world many times in service to the spread of the Gospel and to build up the communities he established.

Just before his death on Nov. 26, 1971, Alberione received a visit from Pope St. Paul VI, who held Alberine in high esteem. Paul VI once heralded him as “humble, silent, tireless, always vigilant, ever recollected in his thoughts, which run from prayer to action; always intent on scrutinizing the ‘signs of the times,’ that is, the most creative ways to reach souls.” Alberione was beatified in 2003.

Michael R. Heinlein is editor of OSV’s Simply Catholic. He writes from Indiana. Taken from the “Inspired by the Eucharist” saint booklet.

1835-1914

Feast day: Aug. 21

As pope from 1903  until his death, St. Pius X endeavored “to restore all things in Christ,” which was his papal motto. This meant that his papacy was a time of ecclesial renewal and reform in which he labored to bolster the faith of Catholics. He condemned modernism, prioritized strong catechetical instruction, initiated the codification of canon law and enacted various liturgical reforms.

One of the hallmarks of Pius’ pontificate was to increase fervor for the Eucharist. His program of Eucharistic fervor emphasized the regular, pious reception of the Eucharist, whereby, he said, “union with Christ is strengthened, the spiritual life more abundantly sustained, the soul more richly endowed with virtues and the pledge of everlasting happiness more securely bestowed on the recipient.” Likewise, he encouraged the reception of first holy Communion at the age of reason, or about 7 years of age, abandoning the centuries’ old practice of reserving first reception of the sacrament for older children and young adults. He hoped to leave a powerful impression on the young child’s mind and also encourage their parents to more faithful observances.

“[In the Eucharist,] union with Christ is strengthened, the spiritual life more abundantly sustained, the soul more richly endowed with virtues and the pledge of everlasting happiness more securely bestowed on the recipient.”
— Pope St. Pius X

Pius X’s life began as Guiseppe Sarto in the northern Veneto region of modern-day Italy, one of 10 children. His father was a mail carrier, and Pius X grew up in a family of simple means, which was a source of humiliation for him at times. Even as a young boy, though, he made attending daily Mass a priority, despite having to walk several miles back and forth to school each day. At 15, he received a scholarship to continue studies in pursuit of ordination to the priesthood, which he received in 1858  at the hands of then-diocesan bishop St. Giovanni Farina.

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The young priest excelled in scholarly pursuits and was pastorally attentive to the poor and sick. In the 1870s, he put his own health at risk by tending to the sacramental needs of victims who suffered from a cholera epidemic. Before long, he earned a reputation for personal holiness. He rose to prominence as a trusted collaborator of bishops, taking on various curial positions. Despite his prominent positions, Pius remained committed to practical pastoral work. He also taught in seminaries at different times, serving in the role when he was named a bishop in 1884. Visiting his mother after his ordination to the episcopacy, she reportedly said, after kissing the ring signifying his new office: “But you would not have this fine ring, son, if I did not have this,” pointing to her own wedding band.

Pius served as bishop of Mantua in central northern Italy for just under a decade before his appointment as patriarch of Venice. His papal predecessor, Leo XIII, created him a member of the college of cardinals in 1893 . A decade later, he would succeed Leo as pope, when Pius was elected Aug. 4, 1903.

As pope, Pius was as diligent in conserving the deposit of faith Christ gave the Church as he remained close to his flock. His audiences often saw him engaging young children, who sat at his feet and could talk to the pope about anything they wanted. He also ensured proper catechetical instruction at parishes throughout the world, resulting in a popular catechism that taught the Faith in concise and approachable language. In 1908 , after a major earthquake in southern Italy killed nearly 80,000 people — the most destructive recorded in European history — Pius filled the apostolic palace with refugees.

Suffering from a heart attack the previous year, Pius died on Aug. 20, 1914 , at the Vatican. His last year was spent in declining health, worsened by the outbreak of World War I. Heralded as a saint by the Italian press upon his death, his canonization came only 40 years later in 1954 . An epitaph on his original tomb described him as “poor and yet rich, gentle and humble of heart, unconquerable champion of the Catholic faith, whose constant endeavor it was to renew all things in Christ.”

Michael R. Heinlein is editor of OSV’s Simply Catholic. He writes from Indiana. Taken from the “Inspired by the Eucharist” saint booklet.