Blessed Carlo Acutis
Blessed Carlo Acutis: Beatification Day, October 10th
October the 10th 2020, was a very exciting day, because the Church gave witness to the life of a 15-year-old boy from Milan who is on the path to sainthood. Carlo Acutis, an Italian teenager was born in London on 3rd May 1991, and having returned to Italy with his parents, died in 2006 at the age of 15 having suffered from leukaemia. Carlo was exceptionally gifted with computers and was a gamer who loved football and casual clothes! He also had a profound love of Jesus in the Eucharist and the Church.
Carlo’s mum, whose name is Antonia and who is still alive, says that “Jesus was the centre of his day” and that “he had Jesus in his heart … when you are pure of heart, you really touch other peoples’ hearts”
From a young age Carlo seemed to have a love for God, even though his family were not especially devout. His mother, is recorded as saying that before Carlo she only went to church on the major milestones (of life) i.e. First Communion, Confirmation and her Marriage. As Carlo grew, he fell in love with the Rosary and after making his First Holy Communion would make the effort to go to Mass most days. When he was diagnosed with leukaemia he said:
“I offer all the suffering I will have to suffer for the Lord, for the Pope, and the Church.”
His witness to the faith led to a deep conversion within Antonia and she started going with him to Mass. Carlo also had a deep love for his neighbour. He was known in school for defending children who were being picked on by bullies, especially those who had some form of disability.
Like most 21st century teenagers Carlo had a keen interest in technology, especially his computer and his PlayStation! Except, he wouldn’t let the technology dominate his life. He made sure that he limited his gaming time, even though he would love to spend hours in front of the screen. He also used his computer programming skills to build a website describing the Eucharistic Miracles from around the world, drawing people to the reality of Christ truly present in the Blessed Sacrament.
Pope Francis has recently proposed him as a model and an example for young people in a digital age. Upon his death Carlo was buried, at his request, in Assisi – the home of St. Francis of Assisi to whom he had great devotion. The Archbishop of Assisi has said:
“In these recent months of solitude and distancing, we have been experiencing the most positive aspect of the internet – a communication technology for which Carlo had a special talent”
So Carlo Acutis has become “Blessed Carlo Acutis”. This means that he has been recognised very specially by the Church. Before his beatification, Carlo’s body was unearthed and inspected. The tomb was opened on October 1st and 14 years after his death he was in near perfect condition. His body was displayed in a glass tomb … possibly the first Blessed to be seen in trainers, jeans and a tracksuit top!
It is very exciting to see how a young boy can put Jesus at the centre of his life. We can ask Carlo to pray for us as he is in heaven with Jesus. We can ask that we love God and love our neighbour like he did.