Remembering Carlo Acutis

On this day, May 27, 2024, we honor the life of Carlo Acutis. He is a contemporary saint whose example continues to inspire people all over the world. Carlo was born on May 3, 1991 in London. Although his life was short, his influence lives on even after he leaves this world.

Carlo Acutis was a remarkable young man who reached out to others, especially the youth, because of his strong faith and sincere love for God, while the digital spotlight dominated. In an age where technology often puts us out of touch with our spiritual selves, Carlo welcomed it as a way to share God's kindness and love. Rather than pursuing popularity or self-interest, he used his talents to exalt God. He recognized the potential of technology to spread Catholicism and educate people about its miracles, so he devoted a large part of his time to developing websites that chronicled the miracles of grace around the world. He was a regular mass goer who spent hours in adoration before the Holy Eucharist.

Carlo tragically lost his life to leukemia on October 12, 2006 at the age of 15. Still, his influence remained, igniting a new fervor in the Catholic Church, especially among the youth. On October 10, 2020, Pope Francis beatified Carlo Acutis in a ceremony held in Assisi, Italy, in recognition of his holiness and the importance of witness.

Carlo's beatification serves as a reminder that anyone who answers God's call with love and humility can become a saint, even if they were born centuries ago. His life serves as a source of inspiration to the youth of the world, proving to them that holiness is still possible despite the world's rapid advancement in technology and cultural changes. Like Carlo Acutis, we can use our God-given talents and gifts to advance God's kingdom on earth.

Born to his devout Catholic parents, Carlo grew up in Milan, Italy. Carlo had a strong spiritual sensibility at an early age and showed great passion for the Eucharist., which is the main sacrament of the Catholic faith. But this is a story of exceptional mechanical prowess as well as religious zeal. Carlo developed an early fascination with programming and computers. Well above his years, he showed a remarkable aptitude for comprehending and utilizing technology. His intense interest and sharp mind drove him to explore the complexities of computer science, where he became proficient in a number of programming languages and methodologies.

Carlo maintained his Christian beliefs while delving into the digital world, seeing technology as a means of spreading the gospel rather than as a diversion. His love for sharing the gospel was embodied in a singular endeavor: a website devoted to listing and recording Eucharistic miracles.

Motivated by his ambition to unveil the deep mystique of the Eucharist to everyone, Carlo laboriously gathered data on healing incidents across time, building an extensive digital archive. His website attempted to encourage people to grow in their faith by sharing these remarkable experiences and testifying to his belief in the actual presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

Carlo overcame personal adversity, such as a battle with leukemia, but his devotion to his faith never wavered. Throughout his illness he demonstrated acceptance and calmness, finding strength in his relationship with God. Although he lost his life to leukemia, his influence lived on and was not limited by time or place. The saint's reputation grew in the years following Carlo's death, with an increasing number of miracles and answered prayers being credited to his intercession. May his memory encourage us to live uncommon lives of virtue and seek God in everything, as he did during his short but significant earthly life.