Pope Canonizes Carlo Acutis, Reviving Interest in Rev. Ciszek’s Sainthood

On September 7, 2025, Pope Leo XIV canonized Carlo Acutis, making him the first Catholic saint of the millennial era. Acutis, who died at the age of 15 in Italy in 2006, was known as “God’s Influencer” for his innovative use of technology. He created a website that documented Eucharistic miracles, a project that ultimately contributed to his canonization after two miracles were attributed to his intercession. His story sparks renewed interest in another candidate for sainthood: Rev. Walter J. Ciszek.

Ciszek, who grew up in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania, was inspired by the life of St. Stanislaus Kostka, a Jesuit novice who died at 17 in Poland. Like Kostka, Ciszek devoted his life to the Jesuit order and has been under consideration for sainthood since 1990. His candidacy reflects a remarkable journey that began with clandestine missionary work in the Soviet Union in 1939.

Rev. Walter J. Ciszek was arrested by the Soviet Secret Police and accused of being a spy for both Germany and the Vatican. This led to a staggering 23 years of imprisonment, including time in Moscow’s notorious Lubyanka prison and a Gulag near the Arctic Circle. Known for its harsh conditions, the Gulag forced Ciszek into hard labor, where he worked in coal mines and helped construct a metal ore factory. Despite these challenges, he maintained his faith, conducting prayers and Mass in secret.

Ciszek chronicled his experiences in the memoir, “With God in Russia.” The book details uprisings in Norilsk and other Gulags following the death of Soviet Premier Joseph Stalin. Surprisingly, Ciszek remained unaware of efforts by notable figures, including President Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy, to secure his release until after his imprisonment ended. He was freed on October 12, 1963, just over a month before Kennedy’s assassination.

Born in 1904 to Polish immigrants, Ciszek’s upbringing in Shenandoah was marked by a rugged environment, a factor some attribute to his resilience. His decision to pursue the priesthood in the late 1920s surprised many, but he was ordained in 1930. After his release, Ciszek became a lecturer at the John XXIII Center at Fordham University and inspired many through his teachings.

In 1990, the investigation for Ciszek’s beatification was initiated by Most Rev. Michael Dudick, Bishop of the Byzantine Eparchy of Passaic. The official organization for promoting his canonization, the Father Walter Ciszek Prayer League, continues to advocate for his recognition. Currently, the process is overseen by Most Rev. Alfred A. Schlert, the Bishop of the Allentown diocese.

Visitors to Divine Mercy Catholic Church in Shenandoah can learn more about Ciszek at the Rev. Walter J. Ciszek Museum, which showcases his life and legacy. Ciszek passed away in 1984 and is laid to rest at a cemetery associated with the former Jesuit Center for Spiritual Growth in Wernersville, Pennsylvania. His enduring faith and resilience continue to inspire many, as his story aligns with the recent recognition of Acutis, highlighting a modern connection to the past.