April 2025

The Triduum: Salesian Perspectives

by Fr. Michael S. Murray, OSFS



The Gifts God Entrusted to Us

by Elizabeth Connell Wright

“Our possessions are not our own. God has given them to us that we may cultivate them, and it is His will that we use them in a way that pleases him. By doing this, we render to Him an acceptable service.” ~ St. Francis de Sales

This spring, a small finch has built her nest precariously balanced on the wreath on our front door. In her tiny nest are five delicate eggs. As soon as I became aware of her nest-building frenzy through alerts from our doorbell camera, I prohibited anyone from using the front door until the baby birds are hatched and fledged. This ever-so-slight "inconvenience" is part of being a steward of God's creation. From the very beginning, that has been our role: "Then God said, 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness, and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth." (Genesis 1:26) Often times we associate dominion with possessing power over another being, but that wasn't God's intention. God has entrusted us with this earth and caring for everything on it, as He cares for us.

Everything we have is a gift entrusted to us by God. The talents we have that enable us to be employed and earn a living to support ourselves and our families are, you guessed it: gifts from God. This is why in Scripture we hear about giving back to God our "first fruits." (Proverbs 3:9) Not what we glean after harvest; not what we have left over after we have satisfied our own wants, but the first fruits.

By April 15 each year, we pay our taxes to the U.S. and state governments. Taxes are a way that we are all required to be stewards as a community. Taxes provide for roads and parks, schools, our military, Medicare, Social Security, and other shared responsibilities. We are using our gifts that were entrusted to us to support each other. Each year when I do my taxes, I contemplate one figure in particular: charitable donations. Filing my taxes gives me a clear reckoning of what we are doing with the financial gifts God has entrusted to my family. All the other numbers are just figures, but this one takes root in my heart. I consider whether we gave our first fruits or just what was left over? Truth is, I am not usually happy with the number. I know that I can do more to cultivate the gifts from God, and I am reminded to guard my heart, as Jesus taught us, "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (Matthew 6:21) I am reminded that I don't need to clutch my treasure -- or time and talent, for that matter -- for Scripture repeatedly assures us of God's promise that He is sufficient; He is enough.

Stewardship is commonly divided in three ways: time, talent, and treasure. To one degree or another, God has given each of us these gifts. As we continue through Lent this month, consider how you are being a good steward of — not my time, my talent, and my treasure — but of the time, talent, and treasure God entrusted to you. The fragile eggs on our front door are a small and unexpected reminder that we were created in His image — not as dominant over the vulnerable, but as loving caretakers for each other. After all, the gifts God gave me — including my home — were merely entrusted to me. It is up to me to cultivate these gifts for the glory of God.



OCIA Reflections

by Mark Mechler

Each year, as the liturgical calendar nears Lent, I take photographs of the adults in the OCIA process who will be baptized that year at the Easter Vigil Mass. The snapshots of the Elect are put on a poster in the narthex, offering parishioners an opportunity to pray for these adults during Lent. This year, we will welcome eight adults from the OCIA process into the Catholic Church. OCIA, for the unfamiliar, is the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, and it’s the path non-Catholics follow to full communion in the Catholic Church. Prior to December 1 of last year, this path was called RCIA (the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults). OCIA’s new norms and statutes became official this year on Ash Wednesday, March 5.

I’ve been an OCIA catechist at St. John Neumann for 17 years, and I still enjoy browsing through the photographs of the Elect, sometimes looking back at the older photos saved on my computer, each one reflecting a person’s unique faith journey.

Being the cradle Catholic I am, it can be easy for me to become complacent with my faith. But each photo reminds me how blessed I’ve been to see the Church through the eyes of adults experiencing it for the first time. It’s sharing in that unique journey that helps keep my own faith refreshed.

I facilitate the initial phase of the OCIA process called Inquiry. Inquiry is where participants talk about their relationship with God: where it was, where it is, and where they want it to go. Although some time has passed, I recall my first evening as the Inquiry catechist when I look at my photo of William.*

I don’t remember being anxious 17 years ago; I fancied myself prepared. I had read and re-read the Rite, I had anticipated questions I might be asked, I had folders, handouts, and discussion topics. I entered the social room in good conceit of myself, and in came William. William was a large, athletic-looking man, and the springs of the old wing back chair groaned as he sat.

“Why are you here?” I asked.

“I’m ex-military,” he said, “a former Army Ranger. Two tours of duty: Desert Storm and Desert Shield. Forward deployed.” 

He took a deep breath. And he began to cry. William buried his face in his hands and his body shook with sobs. I was glancing around for a box of tissues as William looked up through his tears and said, “Mark, I’ve killed people. What does God think of me?”

In that instant, I realized my folders and handouts were useless. None of my conversation topics were going to matter. My polished explanation of why Catholics pray to saints was irrelevant. In the very next instant, I thought about quitting. My first time as a catechist! I’m not prepared for this! In retrospect though, William’s question was one of the easier I’ve been asked over the years. I went over and knelt in front of the old chair, handed him a tissue, and quietly told him:

“William. God. Loves. You.”

About eight months later, William was received into the Church at SJN.

Certainly not everyone comes to the Church for the same reason. But it’s easy to assume it’s for happy, positive reasons. Many adults come to OCIA because they are dating or engaged to a Catholic, others come because they attended a Catholic Mass and found the liturgy uplifting, and still others seek to reconnect with their history, finding the faith of departed family members. But not all. Some adults come through the doors because of tragedy: the loss of a loved one, a sense of isolation, or an on-going struggle to find God in their lives. To this day, I’m still moved by William’s question: “What does God think of me?”

There’s a quotation from Fr. Richard Rohr that’s appropriate for OCIA. “Catholicism is not about having all the answers. Rather, it’s about how we deal with the questions.” I’ve learned that my most important task as a catechist is to meet the participants where they are. To be Jesus to them, as they are Jesus to me. Not always to give them answers or fix problems, but sometimes just to help them deal with the questions.

Inquiry is about our relationship with God. The next phase of OCIA, called the Catechumenate, is where participants hear more about the opportunities the Catholic Church affords us to grow in that relationship with God. But each time I look at my photo of Sam,* I remember that each person’s relationship is different. Tall and handsome, Sam was an aspiring actor; he even had had a walk-on role on a daytime soap opera. His mother had been Catholic, but Sam was unbaptized and had never been active in any faith tradition.

“I recently lost my mother to cancer,” he told me. He shared that his mother had fought her disease with grace and dignity. “She was so kind to all the doctors and nurses. She was always smiling.”

“I would have been so angry,” said Sam, “and I asked her how she could be so at peace. She said it was because of her faith and her church, that she loved Jesus and He loved her. And I want some of that peace.” Sam confided that he couldn’t remember ever having been to Catholic Mass. “Well, you’re coming with me,” I told him.

OCIA participants usually attend the 9:30 a.m. Mass, and we sit together so those unfamiliar with the liturgy see a friendly face and don’t feel self-conscious. I wasn’t sure Sam would come to Mass, but sure enough, at 9:27 a.m., he came down the center aisle, carrying a white paper bag. Sam sat down next to me, third pew from the front, said good morning and proceeded to open his McDonald’s breakfast. Coffee, Egg McMuffin, hash browns, all out of the white paper bag and onto the pew. He spread out his napkin and was ready to watch Mass unfold.

“Um, Sam…” I started. We got things put away and headed for the narthex, but that coffee did smell good. Eventually, I teased him that when he came for Mass, I would bring him a little baggie of Cheerios.

There’s a difference between knowing about Catholicism and being Catholic. The former is a goal or an end; the latter recognizes faith is a path or a means. Sam didn’t understand much about Catholicism, but it wasn’t a complete knowledge he sought — it was a peace, a hope, a joy that comes from knowing Jesus. There’s a saying in OCIA: “First a conversion to Jesus, then a conversion to the Catholic Church."

OCIA is a process of faith formation, not about how much information we can squeeze between the Elect’s ears. To be sure, the Elect learn a great deal about the faith, but they are creating an identity as a Catholic as they do so. I’ve learned over the years that my role as catechist is about helping the Elect live Jesus, and not about helping them memorize the Catechism.

Just over a year from that first Mass, Sam was baptized at SJN.

OCIA is a liturgical process of the Church, and the Order recognizes that catechesis is the responsibility of the entire community: “The People of God, represented by the local Church, should always realize and show that the Initiation of adults is its own concern and a matter for all the baptized.” I look at my photo of Maggie* and feel fortunate to be a catechist at our parish. Maggie was from Germany, working here as an au pair. She felt a desire to know Christ, but she had not been baptized and most of her friends were not religious. She came to SJN one Sunday for Mass, feeling very much like a fish out of water.

She was in the back pew alone when a family came and sat near her. As Mass progressed it became obvious to the mother of the family that Maggie didn’t know much about the liturgy. “So the mom started helping me,” Maggie told me, “showing me the hymns and so on. And then, when we prayed the Lord’s Prayer, she grabbed my hand and held it!” Maggie continued, “When we were offering peace to one another, the mom took my hand and told me ‘We’re glad you’re here.’” Maggie started to tear up. The idea that this stranger could be so welcoming gave Maggie pause. “I knew right away that I wanted to be baptized here,” she said. And about a year later, she was.

I’ve come to know the best catechesis comes not from any training manual, but from each of you. At the conclusion of Masses when we have OCIA rites, we ask the participants to stand in the bell tower area as parishioners are leaving. The Elect are awestruck at the number of people who offer congratulations and welcome, shaking hands, or briefly sharing stories. Catechesis comes from the SJN bulletin and website — from pancake breakfasts, Mardi Gras dinners, Our Lady of Guadalupe festivals, hypothermia prevention shelters, and evenings of Taizé prayer. Catechesis comes from my being able to point to activities from outreach ministries, social groups, and devotional groups at SJN. The phrase I’ve heard most often in 17 years is, “This place feels like home.”

Eight adults, each with different backgrounds and faith journeys, will celebrate baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist at the Easter Vigil Mass this year. Their photos are in the bell tower next to the ambry. They’ll also be on my computer, joining the photos of William, Sam, Maggie, and so many others who make the OCIA ministry so special. Keep them in your prayers.

*As OCIA is a personal journey of faith, these are not the actual names.





Putting Our Yards to Good Use

by Ed Sabo & Janet Broderick

Care for Our Common Home Ministry

In the last decade we have learned much about how our yards can help or hurt biodiversity — the variety of life in a certain habitat. We share here some thoughts on how our attitudes of stewarding small plots of creation can influence our spiritual life and our local ecosystems.

Having a pristine green lawn has long been a part of the American dream. It hearkens back to British estates that could afford to have sweeping lawns and the staff to maintain them. It was a way to display wealth. We have come to learn that lawns are actually “biological deserts.” The monoculture of grassed lawns coupled with non-native plantings provide sustenance for very few species. Are we open to modifying our impression of what makes our yards beautiful?

God talking to St. Francis of Assisi

For a lighthearted view of the issue, imagine the conversation The Creator might have had with St. Francis of Assisi on the subject of lawns.

God: Hey, St. Francis, you know all about gardens and nature. What in the world is going on down there? What happened to the dandelions, violets, thistle and stuff I started eons ago? I had a perfect "no maintenance" garden plan. Those plants grow in any type of soil, withstand drought and multiply with abandon. The nectar from the long-lasting blossoms attracts butterflies, honeybees and flocks of songbirds. I expected to see a vast garden of colors by now. But all I see are these green rectangles.

St. Francis: It's the tribes that settled there, Lord. The Suburbanites. They started calling your flowers "weeds" and went to great lengths to kill them and replace them with grass.

God: Grass? But it's so boring. It's not colorful. It doesn't attract butterflies, birds and bees, only grubs and sod worms. It's temperamental with temperatures. Do these Suburbanites really want all that grass growing there?

St. Francis: Apparently so, Lord. They go to great pains to grow it and keep it green. They begin each spring by fertilizing grass and poisoning any other plant that crops up in the lawn.

God: The spring rains and warm weather probably make grass grow really fast. That must make the Suburbanites happy.

St. Francis: Apparently not, Lord. As soon as it grows a little, they cut it... sometimes twice a week.

God: They cut it? Do they then bail it like hay?

St. Francis: Not exactly, Lord. Most of them rake it up and put it in bags.

God: They bag it? Why? Is it a cash crop? Do they sell it?

St. Francis: No Sir. Just the opposite. They pay to throw it away.

God: Now let me get this straight. They fertilize grass so when it does grow, they cut it off and pay to throw it away?

St. Francis: Yes, Sir.

God: These Suburbanites must be relieved in the summer when we cut back on the rain and turn up the heat. That surely slows the growth and saves them a lot of work.

St. Francis: You are not going to believe this Lord. When the grass stops growing so fast, they drag out hoses and pay more money to water it so they can continue to mow it and pay to get rid of it.

God: What nonsense. At least they kept some of the trees. That was a sheer stroke of genius, if I do say so myself. The trees grow leaves in the spring to provide beauty and shade in the summer. In the autumn they fall to the ground and form a natural blanket to keep moisture in the soil and protect the trees and bushes. Plus, as they rot, the leaves form compost to enhance the soil. It's a natural circle of life.

St. Francis: You better sit down, Lord. The Suburbanites have drawn a new circle. As soon as the leaves fall, they rake them into great piles and pay to have them hauled away.

God: No. What do they do to protect the shrub and tree roots in the winter and to keep the soil moist and loose?

St. Francis: After throwing away the leaves, they go out and buy something which they call mulch. They haul it home and spread it around in place of the leaves.

God: And where do they get this mulch?

St. Francis: They cut down trees and grind them up to make the mulch.

God: Enough. I don't want to think about this anymore. Sister Catherine, you're in charge of the arts. What movie have you scheduled for us tonight?

Sister Catherine: "Dumb and Dumber", Lord. It's a really silly movie about.....

God: Never mind, I think I just heard the whole story from St. Francis.

Spirituality and Caring for Creation

All kidding aside, it is helpful to examine our long-held beliefs (on any matter) and revisit them in view of current scholarship under the gaze of our loving Creator. Many Christian saints and writers have talked about how our relationship with creation can deepen our spiritual life.

Thomas of Aquinas said that “Sacred writings are bound in two volumes — that of creation and that of Holy Scripture.” Whatever we need to know about God can be found in nature. Nature itself is the first Bible. God has been revealing God’s love, goodness, and beauty since the very beginning through the natural world of creation. Acknowledging the intrinsic value and beauty of creation, elements, plants, and animals is a major paradigm shift for most Western Christians.

St. Francis de Sales has used images of nature to illustrate aspects of the spiritual life. He wrote: “The bee collects honey from flowers in such a way as to do the least damage or destruction to them, and he leaves them whole, undamaged, and fresh, just as he found them.” Francis, the Gentleman Saint, notes how gently bees go about their business and calls on us to be gentle stewards of our world. 

Our Salesian patron calls out our tendency to control nature for our purposes. "You must choose: is it better that there should be thorns in your garden in order to have roses, or that there should be no roses in your garden in order to have no thorns? His words are timeless. 

What has Changed — Pope Francis on Biodiversity

Globally, our environment has changed since St. Francis de Sales’ poetic writings of 500 years ago. Like the prophets of the Old Testament, Pope Francis addresses the loss of biodiversity in Laudato Si’: “Each year sees the disappearance of thousands of plant and animal species which we will never know, which our children will never see, because they have been lost forever. The great majority become extinct for reasons related to human activity. Because of us, thousands of species will no longer give glory to God by their very existence, nor convey their message to us. We have no right.” – Pope Francis, Laudato Si’ p 33

Furthermore, the Pope highlights our duty to be good stewards of the gift of creation. He says the Book of Genesis “implies a relationship of mutual responsibility between human beings and nature. Each community can take from the bounty of the earth whatever it needs for subsistence, but it also has the duty to protect the earth and to ensure its fruitfulness for coming generations. (LS 67)

Local and National Movements to Respond to Biodiversity Concerns



Many movements have arisen, both religious and secular, to respond to Pope Francis’s warning on the loss of biodiversity worldwide. Three examples are noteworthy.

The Kateri Conservation Center is a group of Catholic professional ecologists, natural resource managers, and educators providing guidance on integral ecology, biodiversity, and climate resilience within the framework of our Catholic faith. The Center is named for St. Kateri Tekakwitha, who was beatified by St. Pope John Paul II in 1980, and is known for building bridges between people and all of creation, and between people and God.

Adhering to a few requirements, you can have your yard certified as a Kateri Habitat. Some of our parishioners have already done this.

Doug Tallamy, the distinguished Professor of Entomology at the University of Delaware, co-founded the Hometown National Parks program. He asks “... what if each American landowner converted half of his or her yard to productive native plant communities? Even moderate success could collectively restore some semblance of ecosystem function to more than 20 million acres of what is now ecological wasteland.”

You can register your yard and show your support by planting native to rebuild the ecosystems that support all life and restore the vital connections between plants and animals for a healthier, thriving planet.           

Finally, Plant NOVA Natives is a local non-profit working to reverse the decline of native plants and wildlife in Northern Virginia. They provide a wealth of information, including a start-up guide for creating spaces that include plants that are naturally beautiful, enhance your property and require less maintenance while benefiting birds, butterflies and pollinators.

Refer to their resources to find specific native trees, shrubs and flowers that will thrive in your yard. Plants are categorized based on the amount of sun you get, the slope of your yard and the general soil conditions. They take the guesswork out of selecting plants for your yard.

What can we do?

After investigating the three homeowner-based programs listed above, consider three examples of what you can do to increase biodiversity in your little piece of heaven:

●    Reduce Lawn Size. Lawns demand significant resources, negatively affect the environment, and do little (and often nothing) to support wildlife. Limit your lawn to the areas where it is truly needed. This article, Shrink Your Lawn - Homegrown National Park, provides a look at how to choose which areas of lawn to keep and which to remove.

●    Make Space for Caterpillars. This photo-rich article, Make a Home for Wildlife - Homegrown National Park, focuses on creating places to preserve and create pupation sites for caterpillars and other insects and how to encourage nesting sites for bees, birds, and other creatures throughout your landscape. Caterpillars are critical food for baby birds. For example, one chickadee family will feed their babies 400 caterpillars every day. That's about 7,000 caterpillars to raise one family of baby birds. Learn how you can leave your leaves under trees instead of raking them up to increase the likelihood that caterpillars will hatch in the spring and become a meal for those baby birds, who don’t eat bird seed!

●    Plant Native Plants. A native plant evolved within the local food web and has intricate relationships with animals and other plants. Evolution takes a really, really long time. Our local insects have not had time to evolve ways to overcome the chemical defenses of plants that have been introduced from Asia, Europe and Africa. This article, Quick Start Guide | Virginia, USA | Plant NOVA Natives, will help you plan and build a native plant garden.

Body, mind, and spirit benefits



Have you ever experienced the profound connection between gardening and spirituality? Gardening has the ability to nurture not just the plants, but also our souls. In our bustling lives, it is easy to forget that we are not separate from nature, but an integral part of it. In the quiet solitude of the garden, we find solace and a profound connection with something greater than ourselves. We become co-creators with God and nature, participating in the eternal cycle of growth and transformation. 

Demonstration projects at SJN

Here at St. John Neumann, we have started a demonstration project to show parishioners how to convert grassed areas into natural areas to increase biodiversity. Take a look at the sunny site and the shaded site near the Mary Garden at the edge of the lower parking lot and follow our progress over the next few months.

Last fall we covered the grass in two areas with cardboard and then covered the areas with mulch. In the sunny area we planted a native swamp white oak tree which thrives in full sun. The tree will be watered and cared for by parishioners. If you would like to be one of the caretakers, please email us at saintjn.cch@gmail.com.

In the spring we will plant native shrubs, grasses and ferns in both the sunny and shady areas. A catalogue of photos and step- by-step directions will be assembled and shared with parishioners so others can learn how to reduce a portion of lawn and welcome the growth of the lowest level of the food web.

We hope you have learned something new about biodiversity and how the way we manage our lawns can truly make a difference. Perhaps we can change our mind about what makes a lawn pretty and try something new this spring.

As St. Francis de Sales advises, "It is our part to plant and water carefully, but to give increase - that belongs only to God."



Carlo Acutis: The Millennial Saint

by Elizabeth Connell Wright

You have likely noticed all the excitement swirling around the upcoming canonization of Carlo Acutis later this month. There were six Saints canonized in 2024, and most people would probably be hard pressed to name even one. So why all the fuss over the upcoming canonization of Carlo Acutis? The most likely reason is we relate to him. Carlo was just 15 years old when he died; born in 1991, he spent his time playing soccer, hiking, playing Pokémon and Mario Kart on his PlayStation, and making funny videos of his dogs. As the first millennial Saint, Carlo is relatable: he reminds us of ourselves, our children, our niece or nephew, brother or sister. Like us, he wore jeans, Nike sneakers, had email and a cellphone — he achieved Sainthood in nearly the same world we are experiencing. The connection inspired by him is hope for a Church that connects and appeals to youth. On April 27, Carlo Acutis will be canonized at the Vatican on the closing day of the Jubilee of Teenagers.

While Carlo did enjoy some of the ordinary pleasures of sports, games, and pets, he did so in an extremely disciplined manner, particularly for a young child. What made him extraordinary was his driving passion for the Eucharist and his desire to evangelize and shine the light of Christ from his earliest years. Born in London to Italian parents, Antonia Salzano and Andrea Acutis, they moved to Milan after only a few months. Unlike many young saints who preceded him, he was not born into a devout family. In fact, his mother says that prior to Carlo’s persuasion, she had only been to church three times in her life. Carlo attended Catholic school, and by five years old, he was reciting the Rosary daily. At seven years old, after receiving his First Holy Communion, he was receiving the Eucharist daily at Mass, saying, “The more Eucharist we receive, the more we will become like Jesus.” By 11 years old, he had received the Sacrament of Confirmation and had become a catechist. He shared with others what he called a “Holiness Kit,” which consisted of nine steps: 1. Love God with all your heart; 2. Attend Mass daily; 3. Receive the Eucharist every day; 4. Pray the Rosary; 5. Read a passage of Scripture; 6. Visit Jesus in the Tabernacle daily; 7. Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation once a week; 8. Help others whenever you can, and 9. Rely on your guardian angel as your best friend.

Antonia said of her son, “To live close to someone like Carlo means not to remain neutral in your faith.” Besides his influence over his parents and peers whose faith he inspired with his witness, his caregiver was also drawn to conversion. Rajesh Mohur, the son of a Hindu priest, was hired by the Acutis family when Carlo was four years old. Mohur observed Carlo’s precocious nature and his constant selflessness toward others, always wanting to help those who were vulnerable. He accompanied Carlo to the Tabernacle daily and was astonished by this young child’s solemn respect when he visited Jesus. Soon Carlo was teaching Mohur how to pray the Rosary and reciting the importance of the sacraments from the Catechism. Four years after becoming hired by Carlo’s family, Mohur received his sacraments of initiation, becoming Catholic. Carlo’s zeal for the Eucharistic and ability to draw others, like Mohur, closer to Jesus earned him recognition as an “Influencer for God.”

Carlo was continually perplexed that everyone wasn’t flocking to the Eucharist, saying, “Throngs of people stand in interminable lines to buy tickets to rock concerts or soccer matches, but I don’t see crowds of people lined up outside church waiting to see Jesus in the Eucharist. This should make us pause and reflect.” At age eleven, Carlo and his parents began visiting the locations of Eucharistic Miracles, and by fourteen he had built a display of the Eucharistic Miracles, which would tour the world; shortly before his death he designed a website dedicated to the Eucharistic Miracles of the World. The website is translated into eighteen languages and continues to inspire others, drawing them closer to Christ through the Eucharist. His devotion to the Blessed Mother, Mary, through the Rosary, also inspired him to design another website documenting Marian apparitions.

On October 4, 2006, the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi, at just 15 years old, Carlo was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia. Eight days later, he passed away. Carlo emulated St. Francis of Assisi and had requested to be buried in Italy. His cause for canonization was opened in 2013; he was declared Venerable in 2019 and Blessed in 2020 after the first miracle was attributed to his intercession — a Brazilian child was healed of a congenital disease of the pancreas after touching a first-class relic, one of Carlo’s shirts. In 2019, Carlo’s body was exhumed and now lies encased in glass in St. Mary Major Parish, also known as the Shrine of the Renunciation, in Assisi. It is fitting that he should lie in the same place St. Francis of Assisi stripped his clothing to renounce his wealth. There are parallels to the way Carlo also lived a life of radical love, choosing a path that made him so different than others, while still drawing them closer to personal encounters with Jesus through the Eucharist and his witness. In 2022, a second miracle occurred: After a mother prayed at Acutis’ tomb in Assisi, her daughter, a Costa Rican student in Italy, experienced complete healing from serious head trauma she suffered in a bicycle accident.

Carlo faced his death, just as he lived his life: with humble grace. Carlo knew his fate and rather than dwelling on it he offered up his suffering for the sins of the world. Before succumbing to a coma a few days before his death, he told his mom, “I would like to leave this hospital, but I know I will not do so alive. I will give you signs, though, that I am with God.” On the fourth anniversary of Carlo’s death, after years of infertility struggles, at the age of 44, Antonia Acutis gave birth to Carlo’s sister and brother, twins Francesca and Michele Acutis.

Our Church has over 10,000 canonized Saints, but only 120 died in their youth. On April 27, Catholics young and old will celebrate the canonization of Carlo Acutis as he joins this small list of young Saints. St. Carlo Acutis will likely inspire the world for years to come with his simple story of pure and innocent love for both Jesus and all who encountered him. Fr. Will Conquer, a Catholic priest and missionary in Cambodia summed it up well: “What makes it so extraordinary is that he was ordinary...the guy you should be following is a guy very similar to you.”

To learn more about Carlo Acutis, visit here. 

The Pope's Intention for

Prayer and Action for April

For the use of the new technologies

Let us pray that the use of the new technologies will not replace human relationships, will respect the dignity of the person, and will help us face the crises of our times.

Current Mass Times

Saturday: 5 p.m.

Sunday: 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m. (Spanish), 5 p.m.

Monday-Friday: 9 a.m.

Monday-Wednesday-Friday: 12:10 p.m.

Holy Thursday

7:30 p.m. Mass of the Lord's Supper (Bilingual)

8:30 p.m. Altar of Repose

Good Friday

9 a.m. Prayer Service

3 p.m. Good Friday Service

6 p.m. Stations of the Cross

7 p.m. Servicio en español

Holy Saturday

9 a.m. Prayer Service

8 p.m. Easter Vigil

Easter Sunday

7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. Mass

2 p.m. Misa en español

Watch a livestreamed or recorded Mass

Confession

No Confessions on Holy Saturday.

Saturday: 10 a.m.-10:30 a.m. (English)

Sunday: 3 p.m.- 4 p.m. (Spanish)