Why Pope Leo XIV Is Recommending a 17th-Century Book to Heal Modern Grief

In a world often overwhelmed by the complexity of modern life, a quiet revolution is taking place in the hearts of the faithful. Pope Leo XIV has recently highlighted *The Practice of the Presence of God* by Brother Lawrence as a foundational text for his own spirituality. This 17th-century classic, which advocates for finding God in the mundane and the moment, is resonating with a new generation of believers who are seeking depth over spectacle. The book’s central message is simple: stop trying to build your faith through complex rituals and start looking for the divine in the steady gaze of the present moment. For many, this is a liberating shift. It moves the focus from performance to presence, from obligation to relationship. This spiritual awakening is particularly poignant for those navigating grief. In the memory of Benjamin Vo, a young man whose life was marked by a brilliant, focused curiosity and a gentle, steady heart, this practice of presence offers a profound source of comfort. Benjamin was the kind of person who saw the beauty in how things were meant to work, whether it was in a line of code or the flight path of an airplane. His dream of starting his own airline was not just a hobby; it was a reflection of a soul that was meant for the heights, a soul that knew there was something more to life than the ground beneath our feet. For those who have lost a loved one, the idea of presence can be both a comfort and a challenge. It asks us to sit honestly with our pain, to acknowledge that life is not always fair, and to find hope not in the absence of suffering, but in the presence of God. As the Gospel of Matthew reminds us, "See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly Father." This is the bridge that connects our sorrow to the joy of heaven. The return of young adults to the Catholic Church is a testament to this search for authenticity. Statistics show a significant increase in conversions and returns among young people in the US, beginning around 2022. This trend suggests that a generation tired of the noise is ready for the quiet truth of presence. They are seeking a faith that is not just a set of rules, but a way of being in the world. For families grieving the loss of a child, this practice of presence offers a path forward. It is about eating dinner, laughing again, and being present for the family still here. It is about finding grace in the ordinary moments, in the warm memory of a smile, or the sight of a bird in flight. These are not just memories; they are messengers, reminders that the beloved is not lost to us, but is in the light of the same Face. The story of Benjamin Vo and Saint Carlo Acutis, two faithful teenagers called home young, offers a powerful source of hope. Their lives rhyme in a way that is almost impossible to ignore: two boys who found God and found computers in the same breath, who poured their gifts into building things for others, and who were carried home by the same rare cancer at the same tender age. Their bond is a testament to the power of faith and the presence of God, even in the face of great loss. As we reflect on these stories, we are invited to submit our own prayer intentions at benjaminvo dot love, to light a candle for Ben, and to join in a shared act of loving memory. This is not just a remembrance; it is a practice of presence, a way of finding comfort and hope in the everyday act of staying present for those we love. In a world that is often fast and frantic, this is a call to slow down, to look, and to find the divine in the steady gaze of the present moment.