Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Rouse Hill, overflowed with joy on Sunday 7 September, as hundreds of faithful gathered to celebrate the canonisation of Italian teenager Carlo Acutis, the Church’s first millennial saint.
The celebration was made even more special by the presence of a first-class relic of St Carlo in the parish chapel – a strand of his hair. In the Church, first-class relics come from the saint’s body, second-class relics are items they used, and third-class relics are objects touched to a first-class relic.
A first-class relic of St Carlo Acutis – a strand of his hair – is seen in the chapel at Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Rouse Hill. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
St Carlo inspires local dads
The fact that the canonisation coincided with Father’s Day was not lost on the many fathers who gathered.
Parishioner and new father Rhoardi Borbajo cradled his five-and-a-half-week-old son, capturing the spirit of the day as he reflected, “Carlo was very strong for someone so young. He’s a good example for my kids.”
Parishioner Rhoardi Borbajo with his son during Mass recognising the canonisation of St Carlo Acutis at Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Rouse Hill. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
A saint for the digital age
Known affectionately as the “saint in sneakers,” Carlo Acutis has been widely hailed as the patron saint of the internet for his innovative online evangelisation. His canonisation was originally scheduled for April during the Jubilee of Teenagers but was postponed earlier this year following the death of Pope Francis.
The new date also saw the canonisation of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati in Rome at 10am (6pm AEDT). Together, St Carlo and St Pier Giorgio stand as inspiring role models for today’s youth.
Local and global enthusiasm for inspiring new saints
On Sunday, as Pope Leo XIV officially proclaimed Carlo Acutis and Pier Georgio Frassati as saints in Rome, the faithful of Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains joined in the worldwide celebrations, honouring the youth whose holiness speaks directly to the challenges and hopes of our new generation.
Across the Diocese, local celebrations included a live watch session of the canonisation at St Paul the Apostle Parish, Winston Hills, and a youth Mass followed by a watch session at St Finbar’s Parish, Glenbrook. It was a unique moment of faith and celebration for our community. On Monday 8 September, St Monica’s Catholic Church, Richmond hosted a 5.30pm Youth Night (ages 8-15) celebrating the life of St Carlo Acutis.
Meanwhile, thousands of faithful from every corner of the world watched and witnessed the canonisations in real time on Sunday, sharing in the joy of welcoming two new saints whose lives continue to inspire today’s generation.
A Church with wide open arms
Presiding over the Mass in Rouse Hill was visiting priest Fr Tom Green, a young priest about the same age St Carlo would be today, who connected easily with the parish’s youth.
In his homily, he reminded the congregation, “The Church is a mother with wide open arms” waiting to embrace all who turn to Christ.
Fr Tom Green, Assistant Priest at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta, delivers the homily whilst celebrating Mass recognising the canonisation of St Carlo Acutis at Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Rouse Hill. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
Reflecting on the Gospel, Fr Tom outlined three reasons Jesus warns might keep people from true discipleship: preferring anyone or anything to Him, refusing to carry His Cross, and clinging too tightly to possessions or worldly comforts.
“If our hands are full of the good things of life, there is no room for Him,” Fr Tom Green said.
Fr Tom held up St Carlo as a living example of this teaching. Though his parents were not practising Catholics, Carlo was drawn to the Church from a young age. He gave his pocket money to the poor. He played video games but limited himself to just one hour a week, and instead of buying a new game, he’d give the money to charity.
Fr Tom Green, Assistant Priest at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta, hands out prayer cards to children whilst celebrating Mass recognising the canonisation of St Carlo Acutis at Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Rouse Hill. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
Struck by leukaemia, Carlo had “suffered grievously, but serenely, and willingly took up that cross,” Fr Tom said. He reminded the parish of Carlo’s extraordinary achievements in faith and technology, including the website he created at age 11, cataloguing Eucharistic miracles worldwide.
“With Carlo’s intercession, we can imitate Him and live that true discipleship,” Fr Tom said.
The liturgy also featured the parish’s regular blessing of children, a moving Father’s Day moment that left a few fathers with glazy eyes.
Youthful inspiration
Families and young parishioners turned out in large numbers, eager to venerate St Carlo’s relic and take home holy cards, pendants, and even a cartoon guide to his life.
Twelve-year-old Olivia Falzon, a Year 6 student at Our Lady of the Angels Primary, called Saint Carlo “a good role model to young kids.” Inspired by his discipline with gaming, she said she was now considering reducing her own play time.
“It’s good to set boundaries on how long you play.” she said.
Young parishioners Teresa Dalla (left) and Olivia Falzon following Mass recognising the canonisation of St Carlo Acutis at Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Rouse Hill. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
Her friend Teresa Dalla, 10, was struck by how relatable Carlo felt.
“It’s cool to have a saint of games,” Teresa said.
Their parents shared the same hope that St Carlo’s example could inspire the next generation. Teresa’s mother, Monique, described his canonisation as “a blessing to have a millennial saint,” while her father, Salim, added, “Carlo shows that it’s possible for the youth to get close to God like he did.”
A family’s miracle
For Donna Fernandez, St Carlo’s canonisation held deeply personal meaning. She had prayed fervently to saints, including Carlo Acutis, for healing from aggressive cancer, and this month marks one year since the life-saving operation.
Donna Fernandez with her daughter Lucia following Mass recognising the canonisation of St Carlo Acutis at Our Lady of the Angels Parish, Rouse Hill. Image: Alphonsus Fok/Diocese of Parramatta
After the Sunday Mass, Donna and her teenage daughter Lucia lined up to pray before his relic.
“It’s like he’s here with us, really inspiring,” Donna said.
She now prays to Carlo for help in raising her teenagers, especially in guiding their use of technology.
“One hour a week, like Saint Carlo, would be something to strive for.”
View the photos of Rouse Hill Parish’s Mass celebration on Flickr.
