This is the story of a teacher, her junior high students, and the statue of our newest saint in the Catholic Church who will be canonized by Pope Leo on September 7.
The teacher is Sister Frances Marie Penwell, a Sister of Notre Dame in Toledo, Ohio. Sister, a teacher for over 40 years, currently teaches 8th grade at Queen of Apostles School in Toledo. Two years ago she was teaching a unit on the Saints and introduced her students to a 15-year-old boy, Carlo Acutis from Milan, who was going to be canonized. The more her students learned about him, the more intrigued and excited they became. Why?
First, Carlo seemed like a “normal” kid. He wore jeans and sneakers, loved soccer and his dog, and played video-games. By all accounts he was an “average” student, but he had a uncanny knack for computers and excelled in programming. When his pastor asked Carlo to create a website for their parish, he did. When he entered a national contest to design a computer program to encourage volunteering, he won the contest. His friends said he wasn’t “pious,” but he was very kind to people and he had a big heart for the poor.
Carlo also loved his faith. He loved the Eucharist, saying, “The Eucharist is my highway to heaven.” He designed computer programs to promote devotion to the Eucharist. He loved Mary and designed a website for the Marian apparitions approved by the Church. In 2006 when he was only 15, he suddenly became very ill, was diagnosed with acute leukemia, and died within a short time. He had a devotion to St. Francis of Assisi and was buried there as he wished.
Sister Frances’ students liked Carlo so much they asked if they could raise money to buy a statue of him for their school. But they soon learned no such statue existed. So they decided to commission an artist to create a statue of him. When they found out how much such a statue would cost, they redoubled their efforts to raise money. Through their hard work and the generosity of many donors (including even the artist), they raised the money. What’s more, the students had input in designing the statue. It is a life-size image of Carlo sitting on a bench with his computer on his lap. He’s wearing jeans and a red shirt with a symbol of the Eucharist on it. The statue also includes a soccer ball, his dog, his backpack, and his Bible, rosary, and camera on the bench beside him.
Sister had her students write a prayer to Carlo. Then the class voted on the best one, and it was printed on cards with a photo of the statue on the front. The cards were distributed at the dedication of the statue in Immaculate Conception Church. The students had decided the statue should not be in their school, but rather in the church where they celebrate their school masses. More people could see it that way. To learn more about Carlo, just search his name online and you’ll find many websites and articles. Also watch the news about his canonization on September 7. He’s being canonized with another young man, 24-year-old Pier Giorgio Frassati. Pope Francis was scheduled to canonize both Carlo and Pier, but died before he could do this. So these two canonizations will be Pope Leo’s first ones.
But that’s not the end of the story. Thanks to student-led fundraising, Sister Francis and 6 of her former students are making a pilgrimage to Assisi from July 28 to August 4. Fundraisers and donations are paying for those 6 students. What a special way for Sister to celebrate her Golden Jubilee—in the city of her patron saint, St. Francis. What’s more, the group will have the privilege of celebrating Mass together at Carlo’s tomb.
Carlo is being called our first millenial saint and our new “Cyber Apostle.” He once said, “To always be close to Jesus, that’s my life plan.” Sounds like a beautiful life plan to me! I want to thank Sister Frances for sharing this story with me. What a remarkable teacher she is. In a recent interview, she said she “firmly believes that when young people connect deeply with saints, their faith flourishes in tangible ways.” Let us close with the prayer composed by one of her students, Antonio Lozana:
Saint Carlo, protect me from all danger. Help me to love the Eucharist as you did and to love the Church as much as you have done. Help me to be a better Catholic. Help me to love God as much as you do from heaven. Ask God to give me strong faith. I ask to have the will to love and surround myself with the love of God and spread His Word. Amen.
Did anything stand out for you in this reflection or touch your heart?
Why do you think Sister’s students were so intrigued by Carlo?
Do you have a particular saint that you are inspired by or you pray to? Why do you like this particular saint?
PS: Here’s a picture of the sisters in my “vow group” who are celebrating our 60th anniversary: L to R: seated: Sisters Marilyn, Mary Jo; standing me, Sally, Joanne, and Pat. How much these women mean to me!
Over the centuries, many beautiful Eucharistic hymns have been written. Today I’m offering a 19th Century Hymn “Jesus My Lord, My God, My All” by Frederick Faber. Perhaps some of you are familiar with it.
I invite you to contribute a comment below. Many thanks!
35 Responses
Congratulations to you and your Sister Team on your 60th Anniversary!
Thank you for the introduction to Carlo and the meaningful tribute that Sr Frances and her students have done. The statue’s contemporary design and attributes will certainly engage those attending Immaculate Conception Church.
Thank you so much for this reflection about Blessed Carlo Acutis. Busy teaching about saints at the moment to my Grade 6s at a Marist school in South Africa. We are going to end our series of lessons with this soon to be saint.
Good morning, Melannie…
Good morning, all…
I join with Barry in congratulating you and your vow group on your 60th anniversary — a gathering of diamonds!
Sr. Frances — what a great teacher! She has not only piqued their interest and curiosity about a soon-to-be saint; she has also kindled their spiritual imaginations! Yes, she taught them in a classroom, but put them on the “highway to heaven,” and for some of them, a plane to Assisi!
Isn’t teaching a glorious calling?
Congratulations, 🎈 Sister Melannie, on your 60 years of service! What an accomplishment!
I have taught for 40 years, 30 in Catholic school, and it has been a great privilege. I truly admire Sr. France’s remarkable leadership with her students.
How incredible that they were so
inspired to create the beautiful statue of Carlo Acutis! May we all love Jesus in the Eucharist as he did!
I was able to see the movie about Carlo’s life: Roadmap to Reality. Also, our parish hosted the display of Eucharistic Miracles which Carlo researched and put together. His devotion to the Eucharist in one so young is inspirational.
Congratulations to you and fellow sisters on your 60th anniversary….a testimony of your commitment to the Lord!
Congratulations, Sister Melanie, on your 60th anniversary, and thank you so much for your weekly inspiring notes.
Wow, 60 years what a blessing.
Congratulations on 60 years of service Sisters!
Blessed Carlo Acutis is such an inspiration to all of us. Whenever I have computer issues, I ask for his prayers.
I’ve been following Blessed Carlos for a bit of time- what a perfect saint for our days!
Congrats, too, on you and your sisters’ anniversary! Blessed indeed!
Good morning, Sister. I am so grateful for your 60 years and your talent for finding such diverse and inspiring topics for your blog. This one got me choked up. With all the “ugly” in the world, to read of such a wonderful teacher and her students and what they have accomplished-oh my! These young people are going to continue to do wonderful things with their Catholic faith as they grow and learn. My day is better for having read your blog. Thank you. Have a wonderful day and week.
Blessings on your 60th anniversary. Thank you for sharing the love of Blessed Carlo Acutis and Sister Frances. She must be a dynamic teacher.
Carlo is the perfect saint for young people, but all of us, for today. We need to believe in the holiness of an ordinary life lived with grace, with love, using the talents we are given by God, not living up to someone else’s gifts or standards. In my youth, saints were out of reach with an unreachable grace. Carlo shows us that holiness is there for each of us in our uniqueness given by God.
Sr. Melanie, thank you for the serenity and love you share with each of your blogs. They bring me peace.
Good Morning Sister Melanie, May God continue to bless you and the other Sisters in your vow class. You have certainly made a difference in my life, just as Sister Frances Penwell has made with her students.
Congratulations. I always look forward to Mondays to read your post
I pray every day to St. Monica because she knew what it was like to have sons who needed to change their life.
Blessings to you and your anniverary group of sisters. May you all enjoy many more
healthy and spiritual lives.
the presentation of the results of students getting involved with wonderful guidance from
sister is a joy, and gives me hope for the future of our faith, and the value of solid teaching along with generating good ideas.
Thank you for sharing your awesome talents.
Congratulations on your 60th anniversary of vows, Sr. Melannie!
I so enjoy your weekly blog posts; keep them coming!
Where can I order these prayer cards with the prayer by Antonio Lazana?
Hello,
You may write to Monsignor Chris Vasko to order holy cards of Blessed Carlo Acustis with student prayer on the back at the following address:
Immaculate Conception Church
434 Eastern Ave
Toledo, Ohio 43609
Or call Monday through Friday 419-243-1829 Church office
Blessings on you and your ministry!
Sister Frances Marie Penwell
Oh, my!!!! That is a lot of goodness in the picture of your “vow” group! Thank you to each one of you for making a wonderful difference in this world!
Great pic. Thanks for your note
Congratulations and every blessing upon you and your friends who are celebrating your 60th year of sisterhood!! Thank you so much for this article on Blessed Carlo. The statue took my breath away…His story truly touches my heart.
Sr. Melanie:
Just a beautiful tribute to God and Jesus and all involved. Your story about Blessed Carlo brought tears to my eyes, just reading about him. I have a very strong faith which I use
all the time and it was so wonderful reading about someone who has the same faith.
Congratulations and many prayers to you and your friends on celebrating 60 years as nuns and servants of God.
Love and blessings,
Barbara Donahue
Sr. Melannie, what a heartwarming story in a world where so much negative news seems to make headlines. Sr. Frances and her students, as well as Carlo, are perfect examples of faith in action and holiness in everyday living. Kudos to Sr. Frances for inspiring her students to undertake such a beautiful tribute to Carlo. May other young people be encouraged by Carlo’s story.
Congratulations on your 60th anniversary. You are a blessing!
Congratulations on your “vow” groups 60 years of service! This was such an inspiring story of how today’s youth can be change agents for each other & all of us who at times, can be discouraged by the current state of affairs. I appreciate you Sr. Melanie.
Congratulations, Sr. Melannie, to you & your fellow Sisters for 60 years of Service!!!
I agree with Ann Murray, Blessed Carlo is an inspiration for all ages. The statue that Sr. Francis & her students commissioned is a wonderful & beautiful tribute & very relatable.
Thank you as always for your wonderful weekly blog!!! It gives a boos to my week.
Congratulations to You and your fellow Sisters on your 60th Anniversary. Thank you for your service. I truly love reading this blog every week, it is very inspirational. May the Lord Bless you all!!!
Dear Sr. Melannie, Thank you for this wonderful and inspiring story. It was a pleasure to read. I love the statue too. It seems to be so appropriate for this new saint. Congratulations to you and your sisters on your 60th. How good God is!
May I add my sincere congratulations to you and all who are celebrating 60 years of commitment. Thank you for your “yes” those many years ago. We have a young woman of our parish going to join a convent this fall. It will be after 2085 sometime that she will, God willing, celebrate her 60th Jubilee(I certainly won’t be on earth celebrating but pray I will be with the angels doing that!). I can imagine in 1965 that this celebration was the furthest thing from your mind- yet God has blessed you all to, indeed, celebrate.
Thank you for the song, it’s one of my favorites.
Again, congratulations and may you all celebrate many more years. Blessings to you.
Congratulations to all the Sisters celebrating their 60th Anniversary. Thank you for you lives dedicated to Our Lord and the education of children and young people. I will always be grateful for all the Sisters that taught us and instilled in us love fue His and his Blessed Mother. His bends you all!
Hi Melannie: Congratulations on your 6oth—and thank you for the great story of Sister and her students. She has to be dynamic to stay at this for 40 years!!!! We are blest with such wonderful sisters, aren’t we?
Congratulations on your anniversary. Melanie, I loved this article on Sister Frances. God bless her. She must be a wonderful teacher. I certainly would have loved her on my staff!
Congratulations Sister Melannie 60 years of blessing us with your wisdom, thank you,
Congratulations, Sr Melanie on 60 years. Your remarks and wisdom are always so inspiring. Thank you for sharing your gift, and I truly enjoy your writings. Thank you !
Sr Melannie thanks for publishing this article!
I just got back home from our trip to Italy, but will send you some photos and some sharing about the trip! It was a sacred and awesome journey for all!
Blessings,
Sr Frances Marie
Frances Marie, I’m so happy you and your students had a wonderful trip. I’ll look forward to seeing some pictures and hearing more about it. Thanks again for sharing your story with our Sunflower readers! Melannie