I was at a Mass at the Cathedral in L.A. over the weekend.

As I walked towards the exit of the Cathedral, I passed by an alcove with large images of Saint Carlo Acutis, Saint Jose Sanchez Del Rio and Saint Maria Goretti hanging on the wall.

These are three teen saints.

Their images struck me.

I stopped and walked into the alcove to see that a holy Relic of each of them was in a glass case under their image.

I know each of their stories.

Saint Jose Sanchez Del Rio and Saint Maria Goretti suffered violence and death at the hands of others. Both showed nothing but love for Jesus as they died, even forgiving their killers.

Saint Carlo Acutis suffered and died of cancer, never complaining, but rather continued to encourage all to love Jesus in the Eucharist.

But you, person of God, pursue righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. Compete well for the faith. Lay hold of eternal life, to which you were called… 1 Timothy 6:11-12a

In this coming Sunday’s Second Reading, Saint Paul’s words describe those three saints well.

In the First Reading and the Gospel, we are going to hear stories of what happened to people who didn’t live in a way to honor God and care for each other.

As I looked at those three saints and thought about their stories, I was humbled by how I am doing in living a life that honors God and shows care for others.

Then now, as I read this coming Sunday’s Mass readings and prayed, asking Jesus what to write to you, I was humbled again by how I am doing in living a life that honors God and shows care for others.

I am a person of God. I want to do better in pursuing righteousness, devotion, faith, love, patience, and gentleness. I want to live my faith well. I want to be with Jesus in our Eternal Home, Heaven, when I die.



As I left that alcove in the Cathedral, I whispered a humble request to those three saints to pray for me.

As I write this to you, I offer a humble prayer to Jesus asking His blessing of grace upon all of us to “compete well for the faith.”

Blessings to you!