He is being called the First Millennial Saint. The Patron Saint of the Internet. Even “God’s Influencer.”
Carlo Acutis will officially be recognized as a saint in 2025, and the late teenager’s canonization will make news around the world. His life is a fantastic story, and it’s one we’ve been telling at Blessed Sacrament for three years. We selected Blessed Carlo Acutis as the patron saint of our Romans 12 program and ask for his prayers each week at the start of our Romans period.
Born in England but raised in Italy, Carlo Acutis was a young man who loved video games, playing soccer, and hanging out with his friends. He also loved his faith, particularly the Holy Eucharist, which he called “the highway to heaven.” He is known to have lived his life with tremendous joy for all of his 15 years. Carlo Acutis died of leukemia in 2006.
Carlo’s life provides a great example for our young people today. He lived “in the world”, so to speak, in that he did many of the things our students love to do. But he also lived his faith intentionally, shared it with others, and served when he was called to serve.
Considered a “computer geek,” Carlo had a passion for computer programming and website design. When he was 14, his priest asked Carlo to design a website for his parish, and, later, a site to help organize parish volunteers. He is perhaps best known for another website: a catalog of Eucharistic miracles around the world.
We created the Romans 12 program to acknowledge the truth that God has given us all unique gifts and talents. He also created our hearts, and the things we love, the things for which we have a passion, all have their source in Him.
This is what makes Carlo Acutis such an exemplar for our young people, and why we made him the patron of our Romans 12 program. He used his gifts, talents and passions to do great things for others and for the Lord.
“We are all born originals, but any of us die as photocopies,” Carlo said. Reflecting on those words, Pope Francis said that many young people today simply fall into the traps set for them by the popular media about what it means to be successful. In this way, the pope said, “They do not offer the world these personal and unique gifts that the Lord has sown in each one of them.”
Carlo’s life is an example of the truth that we are each made by God to be unique and unrepeatable. As you speak to your child about their future, let Carlo’s example guide those conversations: What is it you are good at? What things do you love? What is God calling you to do with these gifts?
If we can help our young people to follow God’s plan for their unique talents and passions, they will surely live their lives with the same joy as Carlo Acutis, soon to be the first saint of the Millennial Generation.