SAINTLY

  Carlo (now “saint”) Acutis is one of the Catholic Church’s two newest saints. The other one, barely noticed or spoken about despite the fact that they were both canonized in Rome on the same day. But Carlo’s rise to sainthood was far more interesting and unique. His entire story here:      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlo_Acutis

Two years ago, we first “met” Carlo, knowing very little of his story. A few, I have to say “cheesy” posters appeared around town and we became curious so we followed up. In the tiny, minor Assisi church of Santa Maria Maggiore, located in the square called the Vescovado, we discovered a beautiful glass casket, suspended from a wall, in which the “body” of a teenage boy, dressed in a red polo shirt and sports pants, lied. Later on we would learn that the boy’s mother, honoring one of his final requests, had his body exhumed, fluffed and buffed with a great coat of wax, and delivered to Assisi. She directed, and paid for, the placement of the suspended casket as well as the documents that started the process leading to a fairly rapid canonization. The first part of the process began in this town in 2020 at a huge celebration of the Mass.

People flocked here from all over the world to attend the celebration at a time when everyone thought it was safe to re-emerge after the Pandemic. The cemetery in Assisi (a favorite spot for us) attests to the fact that they had perhaps jumped the gun. In fact, we have heard more than one reference to “that damned saint”. Ooof.

So, Carlos was canonized a few short months ago. The patron saint of “computers”? Read all about it in the Wikipedia link. I have no explanation. Alas, I do not want to be sacrilegious and heck, I do follow some of the greatest saints of all time or I wouldn’t be here welcoming the day with the clanging of bells starting at seven every morning. Francis. You remember him. He used to be the big “draw”and every day, hundreds of the faithful would arrive on tour busses looking for him. There wasn’t a day that went by without at least one lost soul asking me for directions (It’s either I look Italian or don’t look like an axe murderer) to his birthplace or his tomb. It was easy and linear. Up or down. Straight ahead. Now, it’s more complicated because Santa Maria Maggiore is kind of on a side street. Left, right and down. Follow the crowds. Long lines await entry and viewing.

Sadly, it’s in the Vescovado that one of my true treasures is also located, the museum that houses the entire story about the rescue of hundreds of Jews by the brave people of Assisi during the war. It’s almost completely overshadowed and yet it is a treasure, one worth visiting. No lines. No souvenirs. Humble and proud. Saints? Too many to mention. Not one tee-shirt to validate anything.