The canonization of these two young men was also, as you might expect, an incredibly joyous affair. View from the “cheap seats” at the canonization Mass for Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati on Sept. 7, 2025. Credit: Maggie PhillipsWhen it was time for Communion, the crowd rushed forward. And that, essentially, is the Catholic Church in a nutshell, whatever the imperfections, the inconveniences, the discomforts, the annoyances we have with each other. “I really wanted to come see him.” Joe Norton said Pier Giorgio was his confirmation saint when he was still a blessed. I also don’t think they would especially mind that my experience of their canonization Mass was primarily the Mass itself.