When you picture a saint, what image comes to mind? A devout priest with many scholarly works, like Thomas Aquinas? Or an elderly religious sister who dedicated decades to serving others, like Mother Teresa?
While these portraits of sainthood are great, some of the most inspiring saints were young adults, or even teenagers at the time of their deaths, leaving a lasting legacy despite little time on earth. These five saints show that you can make an impact on the world before your 25th birthday.
St. Carlo Acutis, 15
Canonized on Sept. 7, St. Carlo Acutis is the first millennial saint, putting sainthood under a contemporary lens. His path to canonization has been widely followed because he is such a relatable figure for many young Catholics.
A British-born Italian student, Acutis had a deep understanding of and dedication to the Eucharist from an early age, attending daily Mass starting at age 7 and asking to be taken to the sites of Eucharistic miracles. St. Carlo’s Eucharistic devotion intersected with one of his biggest passions: computer programming. He helped curate online resources for the Church, creating a website that cataloged nearly 200 Eucharistic miracles in multiple languages. He passed away in 2006 from leukemia, leaving behind a legacy of evangelization to a new generation.
St. Carlo is the patron saint of the internet. He reminds us that we can use our unique gifts to serve the Lord, laying the groundwork of modern day sainthood.
LISTEN: What Carlo Acutis Teaches Us About Faith and Technology
St. Pier Giorgio Frassati, canonized alongside St. Carlo on Sept. 7, similarly intertwined his personal passions with his deep faith.
St. Pier Giorgio was an avid mountain climber, taking many faith-filled excursions with friends. He used their treks to the summit as opportunities for prayer, liturgy, and heart-to-heart conversations, sharing the faith in a casual, approachable way.
He also dedicated much of his life to serving the sick and impoverished, even though he grew up in a wealthy family. He sacrificed summer vacations to care for the poor and personally tended to those with contagious illnesses. On his deathbed, St. Pier Giorgio wrote a letter asking a friend to bring medicine to a sick man he was caring for.
St. Pier Giorgio shows us that simple evangelization and service to others can lead us to holiness, highlighting that ordinary young people can make significant spiritual contributions. He is the patron saint of young adults and athletes.
RELATED: There Is Always Time for God: Learning From the Witness of Pier Giorgio Frassati
St. Clelia Barbieri was a young Italian woman who grew up in a poor but faithful family. She formed a close relationship with Jesus at an early age, dedicating much of her time to prayer and ministry while working as a weaver to help support the household.
She joined a group called The Christian Catechism Workers, which worked to reignite the faith among the Italian people. St. Clelia quickly became a leader in the organization despite being one of its youngest members.
St. Clelia used this experience to found the Little Sisters of Our Lady of Sorrows, taking care of the spiritual and financial needs of impoverished children. She is the youngest founder of a religious order.
St. Clelia died from tuberculosis at age 23, but her willingness to take action and be a spiritual leader allowed her impact to be felt long after her passing. She is the patron saint of catechists.
RELATED: 3 Ways to Deepen Your Faith By Reading the Saints’ Diaries
St. Dominic Savio’s life was short, but full of piety and devotion.
As a very young child, St. Dominic was extremely dedicated to God; he attended Mass often, prayed before each meal, and even received his first communion at age 7, which was unusual for his time. His maturity, piety, and intelligence caught the attention of Fr. John Bosco, another eventual saint, who looked after poor boys in the community.
St. Dominic studied directly under Fr. Bosco in hopes of becoming a priest, and assisted him in caring for the younger boys. When he wasn’t studying or serving, he spent time in deep prayer, feeling a special connection to heaven. Sadly, his health deteriorated and he died at age 14.
Fr. Bosco was so moved by his student that he wrote a biography of his life. St. Dominic highlights that no one is too young to be holy. He is the patron saint of the falsely accused, juvenile delinquents, and choirboys.
RELATED: St. Therese of Lisieux: Inspiring Us to Share Our Faith Stories
St. Therese of Lisieux, one of the most popular saints and a Doctor of the Church, was only 24 at the time of her death.
She was born to a pious family — her parents were the first married couple to be canonized and her four older sisters were nuns. At age 15, St. Therese entered the Carmel of Lisieux monastery. There she wrote her autobiography, “A Story of a Soul,” as well as essays that led her to become a Doctor of the Church, a title only four women hold.
St. Therese is most remembered for her doctrine, “The Little Way,” which promotes having a childlike trust in God and finding holiness in the mundane parts of life.
While writing, she became ill, which she embraced as a trial of faith. Despite the intensity of her sufferings, St. Therese remained steadfast in her faith and even grew in holiness up until her death.
St. Therese represents the ability of young people to have deep spiritual insights, and is the patron saint of missions.
The path to sainthood is possible for everyone, including the young. These five saints serve as heavenly friends to Catholic young adults, showing how they can make faith the center of their lives.
