The Audio Long Read
Inside the Vatican’s secret saint-making process
Jan 17, 2025
Linda Kinstler, an insightful author, delves into the Vatican's secretive sainthood process. She shares the compelling story of Carlo Acutis, a young boy whose miraculous life has captured the Church's attention. The discussion reveals how candidates are assessed, the evolving definition of miracles, and the balance between faith and ecclesiastical authority. Kinstler also highlights the impact of individual beliefs amid institutional scrutiny, offering a fascinating look into canonization's cultural significance today.
34:49
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Quick takeaways
- Carlo Acutis's unique blend of youthful faith, digital engagement, and early tragic death represents a modern model for sainthood appealing to contemporary Catholics.
- The Vatican's stringent requirements for verifying miracles highlight the tension between popular piety and the institutional Church's governance in canonization processes.
Deep dives
Carlo Acutis: A Modern Saint Amidst Tradition
Carlo Acutis, a young Italian boy, immersed himself in stories of miracles from a young age, creating a virtual museum to showcase these accounts. He believed strongly in sainthood, guiding children on how to achieve this and expressing a conviction about his own early death, which tragically came true when he died at the age of 15 from leukemia. After his passing, the process to evaluate his candidacy for sainthood initiated, propelled by testimonies and the collection of his writings that showcased his devout faith. Acutis’s life and beliefs positioned him as a reflective figure for modern Catholics, making him a relatable candidate for sainthood in today’s digital age.
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