The mother of an Italian teen on the road to sainthood recently toured several U.S. parishes to kindle increased devotion to the Eucharist, which was "the center of life" for her late son.

Antonia Salzano Acutis, mother of Blessed Carlo Acutis, spoke at gatherings in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Washington and Texas during a Sept. 28-Oct. 4 tour organized in part by Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez of Philadelphia and one of his priests, Father Francesco Maria D'Amico. The priest happens to be a native of Assisi, Italy, where Carlo Acutis is entombed.