YOUNGSTOWN — The newly formed community of three merged Columbiana County parishes has a new name.

The Most Reverend David J. Bonnar, Bishop of Youngstown Sunday announced the name will be Saint Carlo Acutis, honoring a young Italian saint whose life exemplifies modern holiness and devotion to the Eucharist. The new name takes effect Jan. 1, 2026.

The bishop announced Nov. 29 the merger of Saint Jude in Columbiana, Our Lady of Lourdes in East Palestine and Saint Patrick in Leetonia.

Saint Carlo Acutis was born on May 3, 1991 and throughout his short life, he demonstrated a great love of God and Church teachings. Acutis showed profound devotion to the poor, championed the dignity of those with

disabilities, and was often seen in deep prayer before the Tabernacle prior to and after Mass. The Milan native is also known for his interest in computers and helping to create an exhibit on Eucharistic Miracles. He passed away on Oct. 12, 2006, at the age of 15 after battling leukemia and was canonized a Saint on Sept. 7, 2025 by Pope Leo XIV.

In a letter read to parishioners, Bonnar said, “Saint Carlo Acutis reminds us that holiness is not something that belongs to the past. Instead, we see in our new patron saint that holiness is also something today in this modern time.”