From the Pastor Dec 7/8

Youthful Holiness

Pope Francis recently announced plans to canonize two examples of youthful holiness. They are Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati. Carlo Acutis might be more recognizable to us because of a growing devotion to him due to the ongoing Eucharistic Revival. One of our small groups has placed themselves under his patronage. Carlo Acutis was a teenage Italian who developed a great devotion to the Eucharist from a very young age. Computer savvy, he developed a website that was the go-to source for information on Eucharistic miracles while still in his early teens. His peers knew Carlo to be a very compassionate friend and lead the life of a typical teen. At just 15 years of age, he tragically succumbed to a very fast-moving cancer in 2006. 

Pier Giorgio Frassati isn’t as well known here in the United States. He lived in the early years of the last century and advocated for the poor. Pier was born into wealth and prestige; his parents were Alfredo Frassati, the owner of the Italian newspaper La Stampa, still published today, also a politician, and Adelaide Ametis, a noted painter. At a very young age, he developed a strong social conscience. At his beatification in 1990, Pope John Paul II referred to him as a man of the eight Beatitudes. 

While still in his teens, he joined various Catholic spiritual, charitable, and social action groups. He was a Third Order Dominican, St. Vincent de Paul Society member, and activist with Catholic Action. While personally generous, he recognized the need for systemic change. He is quoted as saying, “Charity is not enough. We need social reform.” He opposed the Fascist regime of Mussolini and was arrested for participating in a demonstration opposed to the government. Like Carlo, Pier lived a very typical life. He was an alpinist, swimmer, and very physically active. He tragically died of polio at the age of 24. Pier’s family and friends believed Turin’s elites and his many youthful companions would attend his funeral. They were overwhelmed when scores of the poor he had personally befriended showed up and lined the street. 

Coincidentally, Carlo and Piers were born into families that were not particularly religious. While his parents baptized Carlo as an infant, he owed much of his spiritual foundation to his Polish nanny, who took him on daily walks and would visit churches and spend time in Eucharistic devotion. Piers’ father was a professed agnostic. They are proof the Holy Spirit moves where it wills. Both young me are powerful examples for Catholic youth and inspirational for all age levels. 

Neither Carlo nor Piers will be canonized because they are martyrs. Pope Francis reflected on that streamlined path to sainthood while addressing a congress organized by the Dicastery for the Cause of the Saints, the Vatican department responsible for evaluating candidates for canonization. Francis pointed out that the canonization of martyrs doesn’t require the candidate to have performed miracles. A great savings of time, prayers, and money, he joked. 

In his address, Francis pointed out that a martyr becomes a candidate for sainthood by allowing themselves “to be transformed by the power of God’s love, which is greater than us and makes us capable of loving even beyond what we thought we were capable of.” A martyr, he said, “in the face of opposition assumes an unexpected attitude of charity, patience, and meekness in imitation of the crucified Jesus.” Martyrs aren’t people of the past but among us today. Members of the Christian faith still today face persecution and violence because of their faith. Unfortunately, it comes at the hands of persecutors who often have a Christian background. Saints-to-be Carlo and Piers and modern-day martyrs all stand ready to intercede for us and ask us to be open to the grace of God, which enables us to live a life of holiness. 

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception Holiday Masses

Monday, December 9, is the observance of the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. The feast is usually celebrated on December 8, but since that is the 2nd Sunday of Advent this year, we move its observance of the Holy Day to Monday. Our Mass schedule for the Holy Day of Obligation is 8 a.m., 12:05 p.m., and 4 p.m.

Retirement Fund For Religious

Today, a second collection for the Fund for Retired Religious will be taken up at all masses. The Fund supports retired Religious Sisters, Brothers, and priests. So many parishioners have benefited from the work of these Religious who helped staff parochial schools, hospitals, and other Catholic institutions. They now need your support, so please be generous to today’s collection.

Advent Giving 

The Christmas Season is a time of giving. We encourage parishioners to donate to the St. Vincent de Paul Society’s Giving Tree. Funds from this activity help the society support the needy of our parish. Let’s cover the whole tree with the names of our intentions this Advent.

Also, we hope parishioners are participating in the Reverse Advent Calendar. Each day, the calendar suggests a food or healthcare item you can contribute to the Chatham Food Pantry. These efforts bring comfort to those in need right in our backyard. 

Annual Diocesan Wedding Anniversary Mass

Married couples celebrating a significant wedding anniversary in 2025 are invited to renew their wedding vows with Most Rev. Edgar M. DaCunha, S.D.V., D.D., at the Annual Diocesan Wedding Anniversary Mass, Sunday, February 9, 2025, at a 3:00 p.m. Mass at the cathedral of the St. Mary of the Assumption, 327 Second Street, Fall River, MA 02721. To register, please contact the Parish Office at 508-945-0677.