Who Was Carlo Acutis?
Carlo Acutis was born on May 3, 1991, in London, to Andrea Acutis and Antonia Salzano. From a young age, Carlo displayed a profound love for God and the Church that inspired his parents. “Before Carlo’s birth, I was really caught up in the culture of our time,” his mother says. “I was a prisoner of everything that is relative and limited.” But “Carlo showed me how to live in my century while turning toward eternity.” His family later moved to Milan, Italy, where Carlo’s passion for computer programming blossomed alongside his deepening faith. Acutis is currently a blessed and on his way to canonization.
When Is the Canonization for Carlo Acutis?
Carlo Acutis, known for his deep devotion to the Catholic faith and his adept use of technology to share religious content, is set to become the first millennial saint. Pope Francis has officially recognized a second miracle attributed to Acutis, paving the way for his canonization. Acutis, who passed away in 2006 at the age of 15 due to leukemia, has been admired for his work in creating a website documenting Eucharistic miracles worldwide. His beatification took place in October 2020, and the recent recognition of a second miracle—an essential step in the process—marks the final phase towards sainthood. Acutis is celebrated not only for his piety but also for his ability to integrate his faith with modern technology, resonating deeply with young Catholics around the globe. A date has not been set for the canonization.
What Is Carlo Acutis Known For?
Carlo’s life was characterized by a remarkable integration of faith and reason. Despite his young age, he exhibited an exceptional intellect and a keen interest in understanding the mysteries of technology and Catholicism. He spent many hours honing his skills as a computer programmer while remaining committed to prayer and devotion.
At the age of seven, Carlo began participating in daily Mass and developed a deep love for the Eucharist. “My secret is to contact Jesus every day,” he said. He also prayed the rosary often, demonstrating his profound devotion to Jesus’ Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary: “The Virgin Mary is the only woman in my life.”
What Were Carlo Acutis’s Contributions to the Catholic Church?
One of Carlo’s most significant contributions to the Church was the creation of both a portable exhibition and a related website cataloging Eucharistic miracles from around the world. He was able to catalog 187 Eucharistic miracles during a period of two-and-a-half years. Through his expertise in computer programming, Carlo sought to share the profound reality of the Real Presence with others, inviting them to encounter Jesus in the Eucharist. “The Eucharist is the highway to heaven,” Carlo often said. “When we face the sun we get a tan… but when we stand before Jesus in the Eucharist we become saints.”
Despite his untimely death at the age of fifteen from leukemia in October 2006, Carlo’s legacy endures as a testament to the power of holiness in the digital age. His impact on the Church and the world continues to inspire countless individuals, particularly young people and computer programmers.
Free Printable PDF Bible Sheet | The Eucharist: Where is that in the Bible?
Legacy and Influence of Carlo Acutis
In rejoicing at Carlo’s beatification in October 2020, Pope Francis affirmed his exemplary life of holiness and virtue. His beatification was a moment of great joy for the Church, recognizing the sanctity of a young man who embraced the challenges of his time with courage and faith.
What Did the Pope Say About Carlo Acutis?
His witness shows today’s young people that true happiness is found by putting God first and serving him in our brothers, especially the least.” —Pope Francis (Angelus address Oct. 11, 2020)
(Image of Pope Francis by Long Thiên Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.)
How Did Carlo Acutis Inspire Others Through His Life and Actions?
Today, Blessed Carlo Acutis serves as a model for young people seeking to navigate the complexities of the digital world while remaining faithful to the Gospel. His life reminds us that holiness is attainable for all who seek to follow Christ faithfully, regardless of age or vocation.
Carlo’s example challenges young Catholics to use their talents for the glory of God and the spread of the Gospel. His integration of faith and technology serves as a powerful reminder of the potential for technology to be a force for good in the world, particularly in spreading the message of Christ’s love and mercy.
Miracles Attributed to Carlo Acutis
Carlo Acutis’s life was marked not only by his exemplary faith and devotion but also by miraculous occurrences that have been attributed to his intercession after his death. One notable miracle associated with Carlo involves the inexplicable healing of a young Brazilian boy named Mattheus, who was suffering from a rare pancreatic disorder.
Mattheus’s condition was grave, and doctors had exhausted all medical options. His mother, a devout Catholic, turned to prayer and sought the intercession of Blessed Carlo Acutis. After she fervently prayed to Carlo for his intercession, Mattheus experienced a sudden and complete healing, much to the amazement of his doctors.
A Miraculous Intercession: The Healing of Mattheus Vianna
This healing was thoroughly investigated by Church authorities and determined medically inexplicable, fulfilling the rigorous criteria for a miracle required in the Church’s canonization process.
The miraculous healing of Mattheus Vianna stands as a testament to the intercessory power of Blessed Carlo Acutis and serves as a reminder of God’s boundless love and mercy. It is through such miracles that Carlo continues to inspire and touch the lives of believers around the world, offering hope and encouragement to those in need.
Healing of Valeria Valverde
On July 8, 2022, a Costa Rican mother named Liliana Valverde visited the tomb of Blessed Carlo Acutis in Assisi, fervently praying for her daughter Valeria, who had suffered severe head trauma from a bicycle accident on July 2. Valeria’s condition was dire, requiring emergency surgery with little hope for survival. Liliana’s secretary immediately began praying to Blessed Carlo, and Liliana’s pilgrimage followed.
Remarkably, on the very day of her visit, Valeria began breathing on her own, regaining movement and speech shortly after. By July 18, a CAT scan revealed her hemorrhage had vanished, and she was transferred to rehabilitation by August 11. Grateful for this miracle, Liliana and Valeria returned to Assisi on September 2 to thank Blessed Carlo.
How Does Intercessory Prayer Work?
What lessons can we learn from Carlo Acutis’s life?
As Blessed Carlo once said, “I am happy to die because I lived my life without wasting even a minute of it on anything unpleasing to God.” These words encapsulate the essence of Carlo’s life—a life lived in complete abandonment to God’s will, where every moment was dedicated to glorifying Him.
Through his exemplary life and actions, Blessed Carlo Acutis challenges us to examine our own lives and strive for holiness in all that we do. May his legacy continue to inspire us to live lives of virtue, devotion, and service to others, as we seek to follow Christ faithfully in the footsteps of this modern-day saint. “Sadness is looking at ourselves, happiness is looking towards God,” Carlo would say. “The only thing we have to ask God for, in prayer, is the desire to be holy.”
Blessed Carlo Acutis’s Original Website: http://www.miracolieucaristici.org/en/Liste/list.html
Additional Resources
Books from our shop:
- Carlo Acutis Holiness for the Third Millenium Graphic Novel
- Blessed Carlo Acutis: A Saint in Sneakers
- The Eucharist Is Really Jesus
- 20 Answers: The Eucharist
Related Articles on catholic.com
- Bl. Carlo Acutis and Saints in Sneakers
- A Catholic Case for Video Games
- What is the Difference between Saints and Blesseds?
Free Video Series on The Eucharist – Sign up now.
For Young Catholics: