Carlo Acutis, a Catholic Italian teenager who died in 2006, was beatified Oct. 10 in Assisi. Acutis, a gamer and computer programmer who loved soccer and the Eucharist, has been the subject of interest around the world. Pope Francis referred to Carlo as a model of holiness in a digital age. Carlo’s life should teach today's young people how to properly use and enjoy technology, including the internet and social media.
Carlo Acutis was born May 3, 1991 in London, England and moved with his parents to Milan, Italy shortly after his birth. Ever since he was young, Carlo had a special place in his heart for God, even though his parents weren't espeically devout Catholics. His mom said that she had only been to Mass three times: for her First Communion, her Confirmation, and her wedding. However, Carlo's deep devotion lead her heart to conversion.
The priest promoting his cause for sainthood noted that Carlo “managed to drag his relatives, his parents to Mass every day. It was not the other way around; it was not his parents bringing the little boy to Mass, but it was he who managed to get himself to Mass and to convince others to receive Communion daily.” What an inspiration for a child to model faith witness to a family!
His mother, Antonia, states, "he developed a devotion to Jesus very young, such that he wanted to enter every church we walked in front of. “He pushed me to do research and to read. I began to take theology courses and reflect on life. I discovered the beauty of my faith. We are all on a journey in the spiritual life, but because of Carlo, I was inspired to start that journey,” said his mother. “Carlo saved me.”
It is amazing the impact Carlo's deep faith had on his mother, and now, she can look forward to being united with her son in Heaven.
Carlo made a special petition to receive his First Holy Communion at the age of seven. From that day until his death, he never missed Daily Mass. He prayed the Rosary daily and took part in Eucharistic adoration.
Antonia says, “He read the Bible every day as well as the Catechism put together by Pope John Paul II. Carlo would say that the Bible was his compass. By the age of 11, he was teaching catechism to younger children. He was very, very prepared. He was a bit of a genius. … He had an extraordinary memory. He committed the Bible (and) the Catechism of the Catholic Church to memory; it was a gift God had given him."
In the late nineties, Carlo became enamored with computer programming. His mom, noticing his interest, bought him textbooks from the local university. He taught himself several coding languages, inclluding C++, Java, Adobe, and Photoshop. He even taught himself 3D animation.
Once he gained a masterful unuderstanding of computer programming, he spent four years developing a website on Eucharistic miracles, using his talents to spread the Catholic faith. The Eucharistic miracles website documents 196 stories of said miracles and details where in the world they took place.
“The vision of Carlo was a daily encounter with Jesus in the Eucharist.” That same encounter is open to all," Antonia Acutis said. “The desire that Carlo had (was) that all would love the Eucharist, that all would comprehend the importance of having … God with us, in his Real Presence,” she said. “God promised, ‘I will be with you until the end of the world’ (Mt 28:20). And Jesus is truly with us, in his presence (in the Eucharist).”
Carlo also developed digital exhibits on the Virgin Mary, purgatory, and angels and demons. He additionally developed websites for his Milan parish and local Jesuit volunteers.
Carlo enjoyed using technology for good; however, he also believed the internet could claim a kind of "tyranny" on the soul and easily become an addiction. He enjoyed paying Super Mario, Mario Kart, and Pokemon on his Playstation 2, but as a penance, limited himself to one hour of gaming per week.
“Carlo understood that the internet can be used as an atomic bomb for good, but it can also be used for bad, to diminish the human person,” said Antonia.
Carlo had many friends at school. He helped others with their homework, especially if they needed assistance on their computers. He looked out for kids who were bullied and tried to be close to those whose parents were divorcing. Whenever he saw difficulties, he would try to get involved.
When Carlo was 15, he and his family recieved the shock of a lifetime when he was diagnosed with acute leukemia. He only lived for three days after the diagnosis, but during his short battle with cancer, he offered up his suffering for Pope Benedict the XVi and the Church. He stated:
"I offer all the suffering I will have to endure for the Lord, the Pope and the Church."
Carlo, in his humility, teaches us how to unite our suffering to Jesus on the Cross and the power of offering it up in unification with the universal Church.
Carlo’s burial place is in Assisi, which has seen an increase of thousands of visitors just to visit his tomb, besides the tomb of St. Francis
.
“The beauty of Carlo’s witness is that he was a child of our time. He was a holy person in the digital age. He was open to life in all its dimensions: with his studies, sports and computer programming. At the same time, he put together a daily life centered on his faith,” said Archbishop Domenico Sorrentino of Assisi.
Let us remember Blessed Carlo Acutis today as we go about our day to day lives, seeing the holiness in everyone we meet and everything we do. And as we embark on this digital ministry, let us unite our efforts to those of Blessed Carlo Acutis, consecrating our ministry to his intercession. Blessed Carlo Acutis, pray for us!
Comments