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All Saints Day last week had children all over the world dressing up as their favorite saints.
But at one school in Louisiana, they didn’t just dress as saints. They got to hear from the mother of one.
Antonia Salzano, mother of St. Carlo Acutis, recorded a short video for the children of St. Margaret Catholic School.
Watch her special All Saints’ Day greeting here:
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Salzano connected with the school through Katie Prejean McGrady, whose children attend the school. McGrady was able to get in touch with Salzano through a mutual friend.
“The students and parents especially were absolutely thrilled,” McGrady told Aleteia. “It was such a boost, and reminded us all of how holiness is attainable, even today.”
Her message for children
Here is the full text of Mrs. Salzano’s message to the students. Her words offer inspiring encouragement, not only for the children of St. Margaret School, but also for Catholic kids all over the world.
I want to send my special greetings to the St. Margaret School students and to your class.
I know you are speaking about Carlo. You are celebrating the feast of All Saints, and celebrating this feast means also to celebrate our feast, because we are all called to become holy.
Jesus says, “We are the light of the world. We are the salt of the earth.” Each one of us is unique, special, is called to become holy—like Carlo, like St. Anthony, St. Teresa, St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, St. John Paul II. You too are called to become holy.
What were the secrets of Carlo, to realize this project of sainthood? Especially, the sacraments. The sacraments are the signs through which God gives us the grace, gives us the grace and nourish[es] our soul, help[s] us to become stronger, holier. And especially the Eucharist, that Carlo used to call the “highway to heaven,” because in the Eucharist there is the Real Presence of God. And Jesus hides behind the species of bread and wine, but is really present.
And we know that Jesus is love. And when we eat the Eucharist we eat the source of love. And because to live a holy life means to love God overall and our brother and sister like ourselves, when we eat the Eucharist, Jesus helps us to increase this capacity of loving God and our brother and sister, and to open our hearts to become always more charitable. This is the secret.
So what I wish you is to be holy, special. And that even if maybe in this life, we never will meet—we don't know, but it is possible that in this earth we don't meet—but I wish you, and I wish you all, to meet us in Paradise. This is my wish. And be always special, like you are, and special like Carlo used to say, “Always original and never photocopy.” Photocopy you can become if you don't realize this special project of holiness. But with the help of Jesus we will never fail. We will be special and original always.
God bless you and have a nice feast!
