In Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood, something extraordinary is happening.
Blessed Carlo Acutis Parish—the first in the United States named for the young Italian saint—is preparing to celebrate their patron's canonization with “Carlo Acutis Fest 2.0.”
It's a once-in-a-lifetime moment. Their beloved patron is becoming the Church's first millennial saint.
Two parishes become one with Carlo leading the way
What led this historic Chicago church to take on the name of the world’s newest saint, who died a mere 19 years ago?
Like many churches in Chicago, the parish needed a new name after a merger.
Fr. Ed Howe, CR, told Aleteia:
Our parish is a recent merger of St. John Berchmans Church and School (with 310 students) in Logan Square and St. Hedwig Church in the Bucktown neighborhood in Chicago.
During the time of the merger the question of the name of the parish emerged and Blessed Carlo Acutis was chosen as the parish patron. The spirituality and example of Carlo Acutis has served as a source of unity for two former parishes that have now become one.
St. Carlo is a great example to the young people of the parish, and sure enough, the parish goes to great efforts to make sure everyone knows the story of their very special patron saint:
Many holy cards, books, quotes and other material have been used to teach about Carlo Acutis in our school and religious education program, and in homilies at Sunday Mass.
The students at St. John Berchmans, and all the other young people of the parish, have many opportunities to learn what it means to live like their young patron saint.
Carlo Fest brings community together
The first and only U.S. parish named for St. Carlo did not hold back for the celebration of his canonization. They pulled out all the stops with jubilant festivities for the preceding nine days.
The celebration kicked off on August 27 when Johnny Vrba from Geneva, Illinois, spoke to students about his incredible 1,000-toy figure mosaic titled The First Millennial Saint.
That same day, the whole school began a nine-day novena prayer to their patron saint, led through the school PA system each morning.
Throughout the week, students dove deep into St. Carlo's life during religion classes. They wrote letters to invite their families and other parishioners to the Canonization Mass. Their Wednesday Mass had a Carlo Acutis theme, led entirely by the students themselves.
The highlight came on September 5, which the school dubbed “Carlo Acutis Day.” Students dressed in blue and gold, the colors representing their patron's devotion. They organized a book collection for “Books for Africa,” honoring Carlo's commitment to service. The day’s festivities included the following:
- The whole school had an assembly with an introduction about “who Carlo Acutis is and why we are celebrating.”
- Students enjoyed a “soccer shoot out” in honor of Carlo Acutis’ love of soccer.
- Faith Partners were revealed and had a meet and greet. Faith Partners are a way for older students to bring the teachings of Jesus to younger students. They become a role model of Christ.
- 4th - 8th grade students gathered in the gym for a screening of Roadmap to Reality (a movie about Carlo Acutis).
- 1st - 3rd graders received a Carlo Acutis Rosary Kit.
- Preschool and kindergarten students received a Carlo Acutis coloring book.
Journey to Rome for historic canonization
As though all that were not enough, as the students celebrated “Carlo Acutis Day” in Chicago, a delegation of parishioners traveled to Rome. They attended the Canonization Mass at St. Peter's Square and carried with them prayer requests from the parish community to Carlo's tomb.
The parish also connected globally, establishing pen pal relationships with Blessed Carlo Acutis Parish in Wolverhampton, England.
Back home, the community gathered at St. Hedwig Church for their own Celebration Mass. Mariachi musicians provided music before the 11 a.m. service.
As St. Carlo once said, "Our goal must be the infinite and not the finite. The Infinity is our homeland. We are always expected in Heaven."
For this Chicago parish, those words ring especially true as they celebrate their patron's journey to sainthood.
