Dear friend in Christ,

In times of uncertainty, we need voices that point us back to the solid ground of our Catholic faith. This week’s Holy Highlights brings you three powerful stories:

• Carrying Our Cross: Jesus calls us to follow Him with courage, even when the road is hard.

• Pilgrims to Carlo Acutis’ Tomb: Hundreds of thousands are flocking to the “millennial saint,” a living sign that holiness is possible today.

• Sacraments vs. Sacramentals: Clear teaching that strengthens our Catholic identity and clears up common confusion.

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Each of these is a reminder that our Faith is not just tradition it’s life, identity, and certainty.

Gathered in prayer, believers are reminded to give thanks for Jesus, whose presence brings hope and guidance at every moment.

Jesus’ invitation is clear and personal: to follow Him wholeheartedly, placing Him above all else—even our closest relationships.

Drawing from Luke’s Gospel, Jesus challenges His followers to embrace the cost of discipleship, urging radical trust and courage to let go of anything that hinders a deeper relationship with God.

The call to carry one’s cross is about sacrifice and transformation—putting faith into action through honesty, forgiveness, and selfless service, inspired and strengthened by the Holy Spirit.

Though demanding, following Jesus brings rewards that endure: unshakeable joy, deep peace, and purpose rooted in God’s love.

Within the Church, believers find support and are challenged to grow, always reminded that the journey leads to lasting life and unity with God.

Amen.

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Over 620,000 pilgrims have visited the tomb of St. Carlo Acutis in Assisi during the first eight months of 2025.

This surge, peaking with more than 121,000 visitors in August, highlights the profound effect of his recent canonization by Pope Leo XIV and the Jubilee of Youth.

Born in 1991, Acutis was a tech-savvy teen who spread Catholicism online before passing away from leukemia at just 15.

His body rests in Assisi’s Church of St. Mary Major, where pilgrims venerate his relics and see him in his signature jeans and sneakers.

His canonization drew massive crowds locally and to Rome, with special trains carrying hundreds of Umbrian faithful.

Celebrations continue, including a striking new statue by Timothy Schmalz and visits from top Vatican cardinals, affirming Acutis as a beloved, modern model of holiness.

The Catholic faith distinguishes between Sacraments and Sacramentals, each with unique roles in nurturing spiritual life.

Sacraments—such as Baptism, Eucharist, and Matrimony—were established by Christ Himself and directly impart God’s grace, marking pivotal moments in a believer’s journey.

In contrast, Sacramentals like holy water, the Sign of the Cross, and blessed objects are instituted by the Church to bless daily life, inviting God’s presence and preparing hearts to receive grace more fully.

While Sacraments are essential for salvation, Sacramentals work through a believer’s faith and the prayers of the Church, inspiring devotion and protection.

Recent local highlights—such as the July 2024 National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis and St. Mary of the Knobs’ celebration of Fr. John Geis’s 60 years of priesthood—demonstrate the living power of these sacred signs in forming strong, faith-filled communities.

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