Cloyne Diocese hope youth will ‘grow in faith’ through new Bl. Acutis project

The project leaders believe the example of Italian teen Bl. Carlo Acutis will inspire the youth of Cork through a new online course.

The diocese of Cloyne launched their four-month online project aimed at 13-18-year olds on December 8.

Fr Eamonn Roache, one of the project’s organisers, told The Irish Catholic that the project was developed to combat the curtailment of Church activities during the pandemic.

”The idea here is to engage teenagers and their families in Church life and activity in pandemic times,” Fr Roache said. “The focus of it is for the teenagers to get an appreciation for the life and spirituality of Blessed Carlo, especially his love of the Eucharist.”

“For a young person we’ll say aged 13/14, to be without Mass for a few months is not a good situation. It’s a big chunk out of their lives, especially at a time where they’re developing – it’s very regrettable.”

Fr Roache hopes those who take part will “grow in faith”, whether they be practising Catholics or new to the Faith.

“Every Catholic needs to develop in their Faith, to learn in their Faith so there’s a catechesis component for this project,” Fr Roache said. “For someone who’s only partially practising the Faith, it’s a chance for them to know more.”

Fr Roache said they don’t want the course to be solely virtual, that the ultimate focus is on God’s presence in the Eucharist.

“There’s one teaching video a week and one Zoom chat a week,” he said. “One of the things in the project is that they have to visit their own church twice a week to pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament in the church.”

For more information on the project, visit here.